Austin vs Bucharest vs Cape Town vs Chiang Mai vs Larnaca vs Playa del Carmen

Austin ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ
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Bucharest ๐Ÿ‡ท๐Ÿ‡ด
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Cape Town ๐Ÿ‡ฟ๐Ÿ‡ฆ
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Chiang Mai ๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ญ
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Larnaca ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡พ
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Playa del Carmen ๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ
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Population 926,426 1,830,000 4,617,560 1,166,978 144,900 259,453
Official language(s) English (de facto) Romanian Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English Thai Greek Spanish
Level of English Very high High Very high Low High Moderate
Main airport Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP) Cape Town International Airport (CPT) Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) Larnaca International Airport (LCA) Cancun International Airport (CUN)
Most common months to visit March - May, September - November April - October March - May, September - November November - April March - May, October - December January - May, October - December
Currency USD - US Dollar ($) RON - Romanian Leu (L) ZAR - South African Rand (R) THB - Thai Baht (เธฟ) EUR - Euro (โ‚ฌ) MXN - Mexican Peso ($)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted almost everywhere Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops Accepted sometimes. Cash preferred in many places. Accepted everywhere Accepted almost everywhere
Remote worker visa No No No No No Yes
Average monthly costs $3484 $1351 $1549 $974 $1959 $2143
Rent $1650 $615 $618 $274 $678 $923
Groceries $243 $114 $129 $169 $157 $127
Dining out $396 $165 $269 $108 $261 $207
Cafe $66 $38 $32 $45 $56 $42
Coworking space $331 $133 $151 $95 $209 $160
Mobile internet $40 $7 $27 $11 $35 $21
Public transportation $110 $21 $55 $60 $63 $17
Taxis $73 $9 $21 $20 $42 $9
Shared bicycles and scooters $96 $25 $49 $10 $45 $49
Sport and cultural events $54 $29 $19 $8 $28 $97
Museums and sights $11 $29 $15 $8 $8 $217
Nightlife $124 $45 $43 $62 $110 $77
Gym $62 $30 $36 $41 $107 $42
Yoga $139 $59 $56 $55 $105 $54
Massage $89 $31 $30 $10 $54 $101
SIM card options AT&T, T-Mobile. Vodafone, Orange MTN, Vodacom AIS, DTAC Primetel, Cytamobile-Vodafone and Epic/MTN Telcel, Movistar
Tipping 15-20% at restaurants, 1USD or more per drink at cafes and bars 5% - 10% at restaurants, 5% - 10% tip for services is appreciated but not expected, round up for taxis 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere 10% at restaurants, not customary or expected elsewhere 10% usually added and expected at restaurants, round up at bars 10-15% for restaurants
Taxi apps Uber, Lyft Star Taxi, Uber Uber, Bolt Grab nTaxi N/A
Tap water Drinkable Not 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. Wide range of meat and fish dishes, soups, salads and cheeses influenced by German, Hungarian, Turkish, Greek and Ukrainian cuisine. 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 sautรฉed vegetables and dry-cured meats. Creamy desserts and liqueurs compliment large and flavorful meals. Combines salty, sweet, spicy and sour flavors to create bold and colorful dishes. Meals typically include a mixture of meat and seafood dishes, as well as noodles or soups recipes. Strong emphasis on local spices and vegetables. Mediterranean style with emphasis on seafood, meats, olives, cheesed and traditional sauces. Some food with Middle Eastern influences as well.. Staple dishes from maize, beans, sweet potato and avocado along with meat, chili peppers and other spices
Local food specialities Frito pie, queso, apple pie, kolaches, BBQ ribs, tacos Sarmale, mฤƒmฤƒligฤƒ, mici, ciolan cu fasole, ciorbฤƒ de burtฤƒ, covrig, papanasi Bitlong and droewors, boerewors, Cape Malay curry, bobotie, melkert, gatsby, bunny chow Khao soi, khan toke, sai oua, miang kham, nam prik, khanom jeen nam ngiaw, larb khua Souvlaki, sheftalia, kleftiko, stifado, halloumi, koukepia and moussaka Chilaquiles, tacos al pastor, chile rellenos, cochinita pibil, tostadas, pozole
Eat like a local Local tex-mex restaurants, lunch BBQ joints, taquerias, food trucks, local breweries Set lunch menus, cafe terraces, cofeterias Cape Malay shacks, food trucks, street food joints, local grills, small bakeries and food markets Street food stalls, local markets, bakeries and smaller, traditional restaurants that serve fresh food Opt for smaller, outside eateries and taverns serving traditional foods. Fast food kebab shops and falafel bars offer authentic options, too. Taco stands, esquite stalls, El Fogon, El Pirata, Dona Mary's
Vegetarian / vegan options 30 options on HappyCow 33 listings on Happy Cow 24 options on HappyCow 90 options on HappyCow 14 options on HappyCow, but non-meat Mediterranean/Middle Eastern options are always available 72 listings on Happy Cow