Austin ๐บ๐ธ
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Barcelona ๐ช๐ธ
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Cape Town ๐ฟ๐ฆ
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Chiang Mai ๐น๐ญ
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Da Nang ๐ป๐ณ
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Larnaca ๐จ๐พ
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Madrid ๐ช๐ธ
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Sofia ๐ง๐ฌ
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Population | 926,426 | 5,585,556 | 4,617,560 | 1,166,978 | 1,125,316 | 144,900 | 6,578,0179 | 1,270,169 |
Official language(s) | English (de facto) | Catalan, Spanish | Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English | Thai | Vietnamese | Greek | Spanish | Bulgarian |
Level of English | Very high | High | Very high | Low | Low | High | Moderate | High |
Main airport | Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) | Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) | Cape Town International Airport (CPT) | Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) | Da Nang International Airport (DAD) | Larnaca International Airport (LCA) | Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) | Sofia International Airport (SOF) |
Most common months to visit | March - May, September - November | April - June, September - November | March - May, September - November | November - April | February - May | March - May, October - December | March - May, September - November | April-June, September-October |
Currency | USD - US Dollar ($) | EUR - Euro (โฌ) | ZAR - South African Rand (R) | THB - Thai Baht (เธฟ) | VND - Vietnamese Dong (โซ) | EUR - Euro (โฌ) | EUR - Euro (โฌ) | BGN - Bulgarian Lev (ะปะฒ) |
Credit cards | Accepted almost everywhere | Accepted almost evewhere | Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops | Accepted sometimes. Cash preferred in many places. | Accepted in some places. Cash also needed. | Accepted everywhere | Accepted everywhere | Accepted everywhere |
Remote worker visa | No | Yes | No | No | No | No | Yes | No |
Average monthly costs | $3484 | $2384 | $1549 | $974 | $959 | $1959 | $2498 | $1289 |
Rent | $1650 | $932 | $618 | $274 | $316 | $678 | $1174 | $567 |
Groceries | $243 | $121 | $129 | $169 | $161 | $157 | $175 | $10 |
Dining out | $396 | $403 | $269 | $108 | $128 | $261 | $313 | $227 |
Cafe | $66 | $45 | $32 | $45 | $35 | $56 | $51 | $27 |
Coworking space | $331 | $213 | $151 | $95 | $88 | $209 | $196 | $140 |
Mobile internet | $40 | $10 | $27 | $11 | $4 | $35 | $10 | $10 |
Public transportation | $110 | $127 | $55 | $60 | $15 | $63 | $78 | $30 |
Taxis | $73 | $48 | $21 | $20 | $15 | $42 | $44 | $12 |
Shared bicycles and scooters | $96 | $24 | $49 | $10 | $0 | $45 | $49 | $40 |
Sport and cultural events | $54 | $81 | $19 | $8 | $6 | $28 | $54 | $18 |
Museums and sights | $11 | $33 | $15 | $8 | $2 | $8 | $20 | $12 |
Nightlife | $124 | $112 | $43 | $62 | $74 | $110 | $82 | $82 |
Gym | $62 | $81 | $36 | $41 | $34 | $107 | $44 | $23 |
Yoga | $139 | $93 | $56 | $55 | $71 | $105 | $142 | $62 |
Massage | $89 | $59 | $30 | $10 | $10 | $54 | $64 | $29 |
SIM card options | AT&T, T-Mobile. | Vodafone, Movistar | MTN, Vodacom | AIS, DTAC | Viettel, Vinafone | Primetel, Cytamobile-Vodafone and Epic/MTN | Orange, Movistar, Vodafone | A1, Telenor, Vivacom |
Tipping | 15-20% at restaurants, 1USD or more per drink at cafes and bars | 5-10% in restaurants if service is exceptional, not expected elsewhere | 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere | 10% at restaurants, not customary or expected elsewhere | 5-15% in restaurants, round up at bars and cafes | 10% usually added and expected at restaurants, round up at bars | Not customary or expected but small tips are appreciated. | 10% in restaurants, 1-2 BGN at bars and cafรฉs |
Taxi apps | Uber, Lyft | Cabify, FreeNow | Uber, Bolt | Grab | Grab | nTaxi | Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now | TaxiMe, TaxiStars |
Tap water | Drinkable | Drinkable | Not drinkable | Not drinkable | Not drinkable | Not drinkable | 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. | Catalan cuisine makes extensive use of Mediterranean vegetables, legumes mixed with pork in its many varieties, chicken and fish. Regularly mixes sweet and savory flavors in specific dishes. This cuisine is known for being bold in flavor and striking in color, with a variety of specific regional dishes found the culinary hub that is Barcelona. | 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. | Healthy and with robust flavors, Vietnamese cuisine combines noodles and rice with a variety of greens and local herbs to compliment specially seasoned pork, beef or seafood dishes. In Da Nang, you'll find a strong emphasis on barbecued seafood dishes as well as fish-based sauces. | Mediterranean style with emphasis on seafood, meats, olives, cheesed and traditional sauces. Some food with Middle Eastern influences as well.. | Fresh, regional produce accentuated with garlic and olive oil and mixed with various meats and seafoods. Influenced both by Mediterranean and Middle-Eastern flavors. | Vegetables and mild spices are often mixed with dairy products to create rich chicken and pork products. Seafood dishes also popular in some regions of the country, making them popular in the capital. |
Local food specialities | Frito pie, queso, apple pie, kolaches, BBQ ribs, tacos | Paella, bombas, esqueixada, pa amb tomรกquet, escalivada, crema Catalana, gazpacho, chorizo | 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 | Chao Tom, Bahn Xeo, Goi Cuon, Bun Thit Nuong, Bahn Cuon, Mi Quang, Bun nam, Bun cha ca | Souvlaki, sheftalia, kleftiko, stifado, halloumi, koukepia and moussaka | Paella, tapas, tortilla, gazpacho, pulpo a la gallega, callos a la madrileรฑa, churros | Kebapche, Bulgarian musaka, lyutenitsa, shkember chorba, kyufte, kavarma, banitsa and tarator |
Eat like a local | Local tex-mex restaurants, lunch BBQ joints, taquerias, food trucks, local breweries | Taverns, tapas bars, local markets, bodegas and street food spots | 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 | Smaller, local restaurants, roadside eateries, street food stalls and local markets | Opt for smaller, outside eateries and taverns serving traditional foods. Fast food kebab shops and falafel bars offer authentic options, too. | 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! | Taverns, local BBQ restaurants, local markets and smaller eateries in residential and university areas. |
Vegetarian / vegan options | 30 options on HappyCow | 98 options on HappyCow | 24 options on HappyCow | 90 options on HappyCow | 107 options on HappyCow | 14 options on HappyCow, but non-meat Mediterranean/Middle Eastern options are always available | 85 listings on Happy Cow | 20 options on HappyCow |