Austin vs Istanbul vs Larnaca vs Lisbon vs Medellin vs Panama City vs Rio de Janeiro

Austin 🇺🇸
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Larnaca 🇨🇾
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Lisbon 🇵🇹
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Medellin 🇨🇴
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Panama City 🇵🇦
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Rio de Janeiro 🇧🇷
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Population 926,426 15,520,000 144,900 517,000 2,427,000 880,691 6,718,903
Official language(s) English (de facto) Turkish Greek Portuguese Spanish Spanish Portuguese
Level of English Very high Low High Very high Low Low Low
Main airport Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Istanbul Airport (IST) Larnaca International Airport (LCA) Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) José María Córdova International Airport (MDE) Tocumen International Airport (PTY) Galeão International Airport
Most common months to visit March - May, September - November April - June, September and October March - May, October - December March - May, September, October January - April, December December - April January - March, December
Currency USD - US Dollar ($) TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) EUR - Euro (€) EUR - Euro (€) COP - Colombian Peso ($) PAB - Panamanian Balboa (B/.) BRL - Brazilian Real (R$)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted in most places Accepted everywhere Accepted almost everywhere (less for AMEX) Accepted in some places Accepted almost everywhere but not in smaller shops. Accepted everywhere
Remote worker visa No No No Yes No Yes No
Average monthly costs $3484 $659 $1959 $1984 $1293 $2359 $1833
Rent $1650 $354 $678 $965 $732 $1036 $1066
Groceries $243 $44 $157 $136 $87 $236 $95
Dining out $396 $81 $261 $271 $131 $371 $210
Cafe $66 $18 $56 $37 $18 $43 $25
Coworking space $331 $49 $209 $164 $96 $157 $130
Mobile internet $40 $3 $35 $24 $16 $21 $7
Public transportation $110 $6 $63 $63 $21 $12 $33
Taxis $73 $6 $42 $27 $14 $48 $14
Shared bicycles and scooters $96 $2 $45 $18 $0 $0 $16
Sport and cultural events $54 $11 $28 $29 $8 $35 $55
Museums and sights $11 $15 $8 $24 $9 $9 $26
Nightlife $124 $22 $110 $47 $73 $117 $54
Gym $62 $9 $107 $65 $15 $37 $31
Yoga $139 $23 $105 $65 $54 $163 $40
Massage $89 $15 $54 $50 $20 $75 $32
SIM card options AT&T, T-Mobile. Turkcell, Turk Telekom Primetel, Cytamobile-Vodafone and Epic/MTN Vodafone Claro, Tigo Claro, Movistar Tim, Claro, Vivo
Tipping 15-20% at restaurants, 1USD or more per drink at cafes and bars Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars 10% usually added and expected at restaurants, round up at bars 5-10% for restaurants, not common at bars Tip 10% in restaurants 10% in restaurants, round up elsewhere 10% usually included in restaurants, 10% at bars and cafes with table service is common
Taxi apps Uber, Lyft BiTaksi nTaxi Uber, FreeNow EasyTaxi Uber, Tu Chofer Easy Taxi, 99 Taxi, Uber
Tap water Drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable 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 fusion of cultures creates diverse dishes with bulgur, koftes, stews, eggplants and fish Mediterranean style with emphasis on seafood, meats, olives, cheesed and traditional sauces. Some food with Middle Eastern influences as well.. Fresh seafood, meats, soup, sausages and famous pastries 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. 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 Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight Souvlaki, sheftalia, kleftiko, stifado, halloumi, koukepia and moussaka Bacalhau à bras, sardinhas, petiscos, leitão, polvo à lagareiro, pasteis de nata, bifana Bandeja paisa, ajiaco, mondongo, empanada, and arepa Sancocho de gallina, carimanola, empanadas, tamales panameños, tostones, ropa vieja 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 Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee Opt for smaller, outside eateries and taverns serving traditional foods. Fast food kebab shops and falafel bars offer authentic options, too. Tascas, snack bars, seafood restaurants Street stalls for empanada and arepa with cheese, restaurants for traditional Colombian food Fondas (roadside stalls), smaller local restaurants, local markets, food trucks 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 59 listings on Happy Cow 14 options on HappyCow, but non-meat Mediterranean/Middle Eastern options are always available 401 listings on Happy Cow 153 listings on Happy Cow 7 options on HappyCow 54 options on Happy Cow