Austin vs Berlin vs Bogota vs Buenos Aires vs Cape Town vs Panama City

Austin 🇺🇸
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Berlin 🇩🇪
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Bogota 🇨🇴
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Buenos Aires 🇦🇷
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Cape Town 🇿🇦
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Panama City 🇵🇦
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Population 926,426 3,400,000 10,978,360 2,900,000 4,617,560 880,691
Official language(s) English (de facto) German Spanish Spanish Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English Spanish
Level of English Very high Very high Low High Very high Low
Main airport Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Berlin Tegel (TXL) El Dorado International Airport (BOG) Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE) Cape Town International Airport (CPT) Tocumen International Airport (PTY)
Most common months to visit March - May, September - November May - September January - March, December September - December March - May, September - November December - April
Currency USD - US Dollar ($) EUR - Euro (€) COP - Colombian Peso ($) ARS - Argentine Peso ($) ZAR - South African Rand (R) PAB - Panamanian Balboa (B/.)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted in some places but cash often preferred Accepted everywhere Accepted everywhere. (ID required!) Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops Accepted almost everywhere but not in smaller shops.
Remote worker visa No Yes No No No Yes
Average monthly costs $3484 $2200 $1097 $1321 $1549 $2359
Rent $1650 $939 $480 $844 $618 $1036
Groceries $243 $188 $82 $98 $129 $236
Dining out $396 $271 $174 $121 $269 $371
Cafe $66 $57 $22 $25 $32 $43
Coworking space $331 $174 $77 $95 $151 $157
Mobile internet $40 $23 $11 $11 $27 $21
Public transportation $110 $88 $23 $9 $55 $12
Taxis $73 $58 $28 $9 $21 $48
Shared bicycles and scooters $96 $17 $17 $14 $49 $0
Sport and cultural events $54 $64 $22 $24 $19 $35
Museums and sights $11 $37 $7 $4 $15 $9
Nightlife $124 $63 $46 $23 $43 $117
Gym $62 $66 $15 $14 $36 $37
Yoga $139 $99 $57 $19 $56 $163
Massage $89 $56 $37 $10 $30 $75
SIM card options AT&T, T-Mobile. Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone Tigo, Movistar, Claro Movistar, Claro, Personal MTN, Vodacom Claro, Movistar
Tipping 15-20% at restaurants, 1USD or more per drink at cafes and bars Round up for restaurants, not common for bars and services 10% service included in all bills, not required or expected at bars without table service 10% at restaurants and cafés is common, not common at bars 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere 10% in restaurants, round up elsewhere
Taxi apps Uber, Lyft Mytaxi, Uber Uber, Cabify Uber (not official), Cabify, BA Taxi (Spanish only) Uber, Bolt Uber, Tu Chofer
Tap water Drinkable Drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable
Overall cuisine Emphasis on barbecued meats (beef and pork) as well as corn-based dishes and tex-mex, and rich American-style desserts. Heavy and hearty meals with plenty of meat, potatoes and bread Latin American. Dishes with beef, pork and chicken are often mixed with flour-based foods and fruity desserts. Heavy influence from the Andes and other Colombian regions. Argentinian style with an emphasis on red meats, pastries, and Italian-inspired options South African cuisine has been shaped by a long history of Dutch, Malay, British and Indian settlements, making the food diverse and strong in flavor. There is a strong emphasis on game in all of its different forms, as well as spicy sauces and sautéed vegetables and dry-cured meats. Creamy desserts and liqueurs compliment large and flavorful meals. Latin American. Emphasis on rice, beans, coconut, and local fruits and vegetables. Pork and beef are regularly used and influence from the islands gives seafood dishes a prominent spot in Panamanian cuisine.
Local food specialities Frito pie, queso, apple pie, kolaches, BBQ ribs, tacos Currywurst, spätzle, königsberger klopse, schnitzel, eisbein, doner kebab, pretzels Arepas, ajiaco santaferense, buñuelos, patacones, té de coca, changua Asado, empanadas (Argentinian style), locro, milanesa napolitana, facturas and alfajores Bitlong and droewors, boerewors, Cape Malay curry, bobotie, melkert, gatsby, bunny chow Sancocho de gallina, carimanola, empanadas, tamales panameños, tostones, ropa vieja
Eat like a local Local tex-mex restaurants, lunch BBQ joints, taquerias, food trucks, local breweries Brew pubs, cafes, bars, deli shops Local family restaurants and those from other regions. Menú del día. Community markets and sports bars. Local restaurants serving asados grill-to-dish (Parrillas), markets (San Telmo, Recoleta) and local cafés for maté and facturas Cape Malay shacks, food trucks, street food joints, local grills, small bakeries and food markets Fondas (roadside stalls), smaller local restaurants, local markets, food trucks
Vegetarian / vegan options 30 options on HappyCow 844 listings on Happy Cow 104 options on Happy Cow 79 options on Happy Cow 24 options on HappyCow 7 options on HappyCow