Austin vs Chiang Mai vs Da Nang vs Panama City vs Playa del Carmen vs Rio de Janeiro

Austin ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ
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Chiang Mai ๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ญ
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Da Nang ๐Ÿ‡ป๐Ÿ‡ณ
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Panama City ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฆ
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Playa del Carmen ๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ
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Rio de Janeiro ๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ท
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Population 926,426 1,166,978 1,125,316 880,691 259,453 6,718,903
Official language(s) English (de facto) Thai Vietnamese Spanish Spanish Portuguese
Level of English Very high Low Low Low Moderate Low
Main airport Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) Da Nang International Airport (DAD) Tocumen International Airport (PTY) Cancun International Airport (CUN) Galeรฃo International Airport
Most common months to visit March - May, September - November November - April February - May December - April January - May, October - December January - March, December
Currency USD - US Dollar ($) THB - Thai Baht (เธฟ) VND - Vietnamese Dong (โ‚ซ) PAB - Panamanian Balboa (B/.) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) BRL - Brazilian Real (R$)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted sometimes. Cash preferred in many places. Accepted in some places. Cash also needed. Accepted almost everywhere but not in smaller shops. Accepted almost everywhere Accepted everywhere
Remote worker visa No No No Yes Yes No
Average monthly costs $3484 $974 $959 $2359 $2143 $1833
Rent $1650 $274 $316 $1036 $923 $1066
Groceries $243 $169 $161 $236 $127 $95
Dining out $396 $108 $128 $371 $207 $210
Cafe $66 $45 $35 $43 $42 $25
Coworking space $331 $95 $88 $157 $160 $130
Mobile internet $40 $11 $4 $21 $21 $7
Public transportation $110 $60 $15 $12 $17 $33
Taxis $73 $20 $15 $48 $9 $14
Shared bicycles and scooters $96 $10 $0 $0 $49 $16
Sport and cultural events $54 $8 $6 $35 $97 $55
Museums and sights $11 $8 $2 $9 $217 $26
Nightlife $124 $62 $74 $117 $77 $54
Gym $62 $41 $34 $37 $42 $31
Yoga $139 $55 $71 $163 $54 $40
Massage $89 $10 $10 $75 $101 $32
SIM card options AT&T, T-Mobile. AIS, DTAC Viettel, Vinafone Claro, Movistar Telcel, Movistar Tim, Claro, Vivo
Tipping 15-20% at restaurants, 1USD or more per drink at cafes and bars 10% at restaurants, not customary or expected elsewhere 5-15% in restaurants, round up at bars and cafes 10% in restaurants, round up elsewhere 10-15% for restaurants 10% usually included in restaurants, 10% at bars and cafes with table service is common
Taxi apps Uber, Lyft Grab Grab Uber, Tu Chofer N/A Easy Taxi, 99 Taxi, Uber
Tap water Drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not 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. 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. 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 Emphasis on rice, beans, pork and beef with a variety of root vegetables and fresh fruits. Fresh seafood is also very common.
Local food specialities Frito pie, queso, apple pie, kolaches, BBQ ribs, tacos 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 Sancocho de gallina, carimanola, empanadas, tamales panameรฑos, tostones, ropa vieja Chilaquiles, tacos al pastor, chile rellenos, cochinita pibil, tostadas, pozole Feijoada, bolinho de bacalhau, fried sardines, caldo verde, pao de queijo and brigadeiros.
Eat like a local Local tex-mex restaurants, lunch BBQ joints, taquerias, food trucks, local breweries 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 Fondas (roadside stalls), smaller local restaurants, local markets, food trucks Taco stands, esquite stalls, El Fogon, El Pirata, Dona Mary's The "snack capital" of Brazil, Rio is a perfect place to try street food as well as the wide varieties of small, traditional eateries and churrascarias easily found across the city.
Vegetarian / vegan options 30 options on HappyCow 90 options on HappyCow 107 options on HappyCow 7 options on HappyCow 72 listings on Happy Cow 54 options on Happy Cow