Austin vs Hanoi vs Medellin vs Panama City

Austin ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ
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Hanoi ๐Ÿ‡ป๐Ÿ‡ณ
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Medellin ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ด
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Panama City ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฆ
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Population 926,426 8,053,663 2,427,000 880,691
Official language(s) English (de facto) Vietnamese Spanish Spanish
Level of English Very high Moderate Low Low
Main airport Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Nแป™i Bร i International Airport (HAN) Josรฉ Marรญa Cรณrdova International Airport (MDE) Tocumen International Airport (PTY)
Most common months to visit March - May, September - November January, February, October - December January - April, December December - April
Currency USD - US Dollar ($) VND - Vietnamese Dong (โ‚ซ) COP - Colombian Peso ($) PAB - Panamanian Balboa (B/.)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted in some places. Cash often preferred. Accepted in some places Accepted almost everywhere but not in smaller shops.
Remote worker visa No No No Yes
Average monthly costs $3484 $1167 $1293 $2359
Rent $1650 $503 $732 $1036
Groceries $243 $151 $87 $236
Dining out $396 $134 $131 $371
Cafe $66 $39 $18 $43
Coworking space $331 $72 $96 $157
Mobile internet $40 $4 $16 $21
Public transportation $110 $20 $21 $12
Taxis $73 $13 $14 $48
Shared bicycles and scooters $96 $0 $0 $0
Sport and cultural events $54 $3 $8 $35
Museums and sights $11 $4 $9 $9
Nightlife $124 $89 $73 $117
Gym $62 $57 $15 $37
Yoga $139 $57 $54 $163
Massage $89 $21 $20 $75
SIM card options AT&T, T-Mobile. Viettel, Mobifone Claro, Tigo Claro, Movistar
Tipping 15-20% at restaurants, 1USD or more per drink at cafes and bars Not required but appreciated, especially in taxis, restaurants and bars. Round up or add 10%. Tip 10% in restaurants 10% in restaurants, round up elsewhere
Taxi apps Uber, Lyft Grab, GoViet EasyTaxi Uber, Tu Chofer
Tap water 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. A mix of French, Southeast Asian and Chinese with lots of fresh herbs and spices. Northern Vietnam cuisine includes a lot of fish and noodles. A blend of indigenous and European traditions with rice, maize, cassava, assorted legumes, and meats 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.
Local food specialities Frito pie, queso, apple pie, kolaches, BBQ ribs, tacos Pho, cha ca, Vietnamese coffee, pastries and breads Bandeja paisa, ajiaco, mondongo, empanada, and arepa Sancocho de gallina, carimanola, empanadas, tamales panameรฑos, tostones, ropa vieja
Eat like a local Local tex-mex restaurants, lunch BBQ joints, taquerias, food trucks, local breweries Noodle Houses, Bakeries, Coffee and Tea Houses, street food Street stalls for empanada and arepa with cheese, restaurants for traditional Colombian food Fondas (roadside stalls), smaller local restaurants, local markets, food trucks
Vegetarian / vegan options 30 options on HappyCow 104 listings on Happy Cow 153 listings on Happy Cow 7 options on HappyCow