Austin vs Bucharest vs Chiang Mai vs Madrid vs Medellin vs Playa del Carmen

Austin ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ
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Bucharest ๐Ÿ‡ท๐Ÿ‡ด
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Chiang Mai ๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ญ
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Madrid ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ
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Medellin ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ด
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Playa del Carmen ๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ
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Population 926,426 1,830,000 1,166,978 6,578,0179 2,427,000 259,453
Official language(s) English (de facto) Romanian Thai Spanish Spanish Spanish
Level of English Very high High Low Moderate Low Moderate
Main airport Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP) Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) Josรฉ Marรญa Cรณrdova International Airport (MDE) Cancun International Airport (CUN)
Most common months to visit March - May, September - November April - October November - April March - May, September - November January - April, December January - May, October - December
Currency USD - US Dollar ($) RON - Romanian Leu (L) THB - Thai Baht (เธฟ) EUR - Euro (โ‚ฌ) COP - Colombian Peso ($) MXN - Mexican Peso ($)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted almost everywhere Accepted sometimes. Cash preferred in many places. Accepted everywhere Accepted in some places Accepted almost everywhere
Remote worker visa No No No Yes No Yes
Average monthly costs $3484 $1351 $974 $2498 $1293 $2143
Rent $1650 $615 $274 $1174 $732 $923
Groceries $243 $114 $169 $175 $87 $127
Dining out $396 $165 $108 $313 $131 $207
Cafe $66 $38 $45 $51 $18 $42
Coworking space $331 $133 $95 $196 $96 $160
Mobile internet $40 $7 $11 $10 $16 $21
Public transportation $110 $21 $60 $78 $21 $17
Taxis $73 $9 $20 $44 $14 $9
Shared bicycles and scooters $96 $25 $10 $49 $0 $49
Sport and cultural events $54 $29 $8 $54 $8 $97
Museums and sights $11 $29 $8 $20 $9 $217
Nightlife $124 $45 $62 $82 $73 $77
Gym $62 $30 $41 $44 $15 $42
Yoga $139 $59 $55 $142 $54 $54
Massage $89 $31 $10 $64 $20 $101
SIM card options AT&T, T-Mobile. Vodafone, Orange AIS, DTAC Orange, Movistar, Vodafone Claro, Tigo 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% at restaurants, not customary or expected elsewhere Not customary or expected but small tips are appreciated. Tip 10% in restaurants 10-15% for restaurants
Taxi apps Uber, Lyft Star Taxi, Uber Grab Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now EasyTaxi N/A
Tap water Drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable 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. 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. Fresh, regional produce accentuated with garlic and olive oil and mixed with various meats and seafoods. Influenced both by Mediterranean and Middle-Eastern flavors. A blend of indigenous and European traditions with rice, maize, cassava, assorted legumes, and meats 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 Khao soi, khan toke, sai oua, miang kham, nam prik, khanom jeen nam ngiaw, larb khua Paella, tapas, tortilla, gazpacho, pulpo a la gallega, callos a la madrileรฑa, churros Bandeja paisa, ajiaco, mondongo, empanada, and arepa 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 Street food stalls, local markets, bakeries and smaller, traditional restaurants that serve fresh food Have some tapas and sangria at a tasca and paella at an authentic eatery. Keep an eye on the time and visit a cafeteria for a mid-afternoon merienda and some churros! Street stalls for empanada and arepa with cheese, restaurants for traditional Colombian food Taco stands, esquite stalls, El Fogon, El Pirata, Dona Mary's
Vegetarian / vegan options 30 options on HappyCow 33 listings on Happy Cow 90 options on HappyCow 85 listings on Happy Cow 153 listings on Happy Cow 72 listings on Happy Cow