Austin vs Buenos Aires vs Madrid vs Panama City vs Playa del Carmen

Austin ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ
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Buenos Aires ๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ท
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Madrid ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ
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Panama City ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฆ
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Playa del Carmen ๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ
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Population 926,426 2,900,000 6,578,0179 880,691 259,453
Official language(s) English (de facto) Spanish Spanish Spanish Spanish
Level of English Very high High Moderate Low Moderate
Main airport Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE) Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) Tocumen International Airport (PTY) Cancun International Airport (CUN)
Most common months to visit March - May, September - November September - December March - May, September - November December - April January - May, October - December
Currency USD - US Dollar ($) ARS - Argentine Peso ($) EUR - Euro (โ‚ฌ) PAB - Panamanian Balboa (B/.) MXN - Mexican Peso ($)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted everywhere. (ID required!) Accepted everywhere Accepted almost everywhere but not in smaller shops. Accepted almost everywhere
Remote worker visa No No Yes Yes Yes
Average monthly costs $3484 $1321 $2498 $2359 $2143
Rent $1650 $844 $1174 $1036 $923
Groceries $243 $98 $175 $236 $127
Dining out $396 $121 $313 $371 $207
Cafe $66 $25 $51 $43 $42
Coworking space $331 $95 $196 $157 $160
Mobile internet $40 $11 $10 $21 $21
Public transportation $110 $9 $78 $12 $17
Taxis $73 $9 $44 $48 $9
Shared bicycles and scooters $96 $14 $49 $0 $49
Sport and cultural events $54 $24 $54 $35 $97
Museums and sights $11 $4 $20 $9 $217
Nightlife $124 $23 $82 $117 $77
Gym $62 $14 $44 $37 $42
Yoga $139 $19 $142 $163 $54
Massage $89 $10 $64 $75 $101
SIM card options AT&T, T-Mobile. Movistar, Claro, Personal Orange, Movistar, Vodafone Claro, Movistar Telcel, Movistar
Tipping 15-20% at restaurants, 1USD or more per drink at cafes and bars 10% at restaurants and cafรฉs is common, not common at bars Not customary or expected but small tips are appreciated. 10% in restaurants, round up elsewhere 10-15% for restaurants
Taxi apps Uber, Lyft Uber (not official), Cabify, BA Taxi (Spanish only) Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now Uber, Tu Chofer N/A
Tap water 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. Argentinian style with an emphasis on red meats, pastries, and Italian-inspired options Fresh, regional produce accentuated with garlic and olive oil and mixed with various meats and seafoods. Influenced both by Mediterranean and Middle-Eastern flavors. 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 Asado, empanadas (Argentinian style), locro, milanesa napolitana, facturas and alfajores Paella, tapas, tortilla, gazpacho, pulpo a la gallega, callos a la madrileรฑa, churros Sancocho de gallina, carimanola, empanadas, tamales panameรฑos, 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 restaurants serving asados grill-to-dish (Parrillas), markets (San Telmo, Recoleta) and local cafรฉs for matรฉ and facturas 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! 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 79 options on Happy Cow 85 listings on Happy Cow 7 options on HappyCow 72 listings on Happy Cow