Austin vs Budapest vs Istanbul vs Lisbon vs Panama City vs Playa del Carmen

Austin 🇺🇸
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Budapest 🇭🇺
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Lisbon 🇵🇹
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Panama City 🇵🇦
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Playa del Carmen 🇲🇽
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Population 926,426 1,768,073 15,520,000 517,000 880,691 259,453
Official language(s) English (de facto) Hungarian Turkish Portuguese Spanish Spanish
Level of English Very high High Low Very high Low Moderate
Main airport Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Budapest Ferihegy International Airport (BUD) Istanbul Airport (IST) Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) Tocumen International Airport (PTY) Cancun International Airport (CUN)
Most common months to visit March - May, September - November March - June, September - November April - June, September and October March - May, September, October December - April January - May, October - December
Currency USD - US Dollar ($) HUF - Hungarian Forint (Ft) TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) EUR - Euro (€) PAB - Panamanian Balboa (B/.) MXN - Mexican Peso ($)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted almost everywhere, cash needed for small shops Accepted in most places Accepted almost everywhere (less for AMEX) Accepted almost everywhere but not in smaller shops. Accepted almost everywhere
Remote worker visa No No No Yes Yes Yes
Average monthly costs $3484 $1230 $659 $1984 $2359 $2143
Rent $1650 $499 $354 $965 $1036 $923
Groceries $243 $108 $44 $136 $236 $127
Dining out $396 $202 $81 $271 $371 $207
Cafe $66 $29 $18 $37 $43 $42
Coworking space $331 $120 $49 $164 $157 $160
Mobile internet $40 $9 $3 $24 $21 $21
Public transportation $110 $36 $6 $63 $12 $17
Taxis $73 $27 $6 $27 $48 $9
Shared bicycles and scooters $96 $13 $2 $18 $0 $49
Sport and cultural events $54 $24 $11 $29 $35 $97
Museums and sights $11 $7 $15 $24 $9 $217
Nightlife $124 $43 $22 $47 $117 $77
Gym $62 $37 $9 $65 $37 $42
Yoga $139 $48 $23 $65 $163 $54
Massage $89 $26 $15 $50 $75 $101
SIM card options AT&T, T-Mobile. Vodafone, Telenor Turkcell, Turk Telekom Vodafone Claro, Movistar Telcel, Movistar
Tipping 15-20% at restaurants, 1USD or more per drink at cafes and bars 10 - 15% at restaurants and bars Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars 5-10% for restaurants, not common at bars 10% in restaurants, round up elsewhere 10-15% for restaurants
Taxi apps Uber, Lyft Bolt, Fotaxi BiTaksi Uber, FreeNow Uber, Tu Chofer N/A
Tap water Drinkable 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. Magyar cuisine makes extensive use of creams, cheeses and sauces primarily in beef, chicken and pork dishes, mixed with seasonal vegetables, fruits and rich desserts. A fusion of cultures creates diverse dishes with bulgur, koftes, stews, eggplants and fish Fresh seafood, meats, soup, sausages and famous pastries 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
Local food specialities Frito pie, queso, apple pie, kolaches, BBQ ribs, tacos Goulash, Fisherman's soup, Főzelék, Somloi Galuska, Pörkölt and Paprikás, Kürtös Kalács, Hungarian Lecsó, Lángos Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight Bacalhau à bras, sardinhas, petiscos, leitão, polvo à lagareiro, pasteis de nata, bifana Sancocho de gallina, carimanola, empanadas, tamales panameños, tostones, ropa vieja 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 Local markets, cafés, taverns, street food, traditional restaurants Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee Tascas, snack bars, seafood restaurants Fondas (roadside stalls), smaller local restaurants, local markets, food trucks Taco stands, esquite stalls, El Fogon, El Pirata, Dona Mary's
Vegetarian / vegan options 30 options on HappyCow 47 options on HappyCow 59 listings on Happy Cow 401 listings on Happy Cow 7 options on HappyCow 72 listings on Happy Cow