Austin vs Bucharest vs Chiang Mai vs Panama City vs Playa del Carmen vs Valencia

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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Panama City ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฆ
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Playa del Carmen ๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ
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Valencia ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ
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Population 926,426 1,830,000 1,166,978 880,691 259,453 834,000
Official language(s) English (de facto) Romanian Thai Spanish Spanish Spanish, Valencian
Level of English Very high High Low Low Moderate Moderate
Main airport Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP) Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) Tocumen International Airport (PTY) Cancun International Airport (CUN) Valencia Manises Airport (VLC)
Most common months to visit March - May, September - November April - October November - April December - April January - May, October - December March - June, September, October
Currency USD - US Dollar ($) RON - Romanian Leu (L) THB - Thai Baht (เธฟ) PAB - Panamanian Balboa (B/.) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) EUR - Euro (โ‚ฌ)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted almost everywhere Accepted sometimes. Cash preferred in many places. Accepted almost everywhere but not in smaller shops. Accepted almost everywhere Accepted almost everywhere
Remote worker visa No No No Yes Yes Yes
Average monthly costs $3484 $1351 $974 $2359 $2143 $1976
Rent $1650 $615 $274 $1036 $923 $869
Groceries $243 $114 $169 $236 $127 $146
Dining out $396 $165 $108 $371 $207 $292
Cafe $66 $38 $45 $43 $42 $42
Coworking space $331 $133 $95 $157 $160 $152
Mobile internet $40 $7 $11 $21 $21 $16
Public transportation $110 $21 $60 $12 $17 $38
Taxis $73 $9 $20 $48 $9 $42
Shared bicycles and scooters $96 $25 $10 $0 $49 $30
Sport and cultural events $54 $29 $8 $35 $97 $73
Museums and sights $11 $29 $8 $9 $217 $44
Nightlife $124 $45 $62 $117 $77 $66
Gym $62 $30 $41 $37 $42 $34
Yoga $139 $59 $55 $163 $54 $87
Massage $89 $31 $10 $75 $101 $45
SIM card options AT&T, T-Mobile. Vodafone, Orange AIS, DTAC Claro, Movistar Telcel, Movistar Vodafone, Orange
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 10% in restaurants, round up elsewhere 10-15% for restaurants Round up for good service at restaurants, not common at bars
Taxi apps Uber, Lyft Star Taxi, Uber Grab Uber, Tu Chofer N/A Cabify, FreeNow
Tap water Drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable 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. 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. Staple dishes from maize, beans, sweet potato and avocado along with meat, chili peppers and other spices Mediterranean style using vegetables, seafoods and meats
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 Sancocho de gallina, carimanola, empanadas, tamales panameรฑos, tostones, ropa vieja Chilaquiles, tacos al pastor, chile rellenos, cochinita pibil, tostadas, pozole Paella, fideuร , esgarrat, orxata, bunyols
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 Fondas (roadside stalls), smaller local restaurants, local markets, food trucks Taco stands, esquite stalls, El Fogon, El Pirata, Dona Mary's Tapas bars, markets, menu del dia (cheap set lunches)
Vegetarian / vegan options 30 options on HappyCow 33 listings on Happy Cow 90 options on HappyCow 7 options on HappyCow 72 listings on Happy Cow 98 listings on Happy Cow