Austin ๐บ๐ธ
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Barcelona ๐ช๐ธ
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Larnaca ๐จ๐พ
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Lisbon ๐ต๐น
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Madrid ๐ช๐ธ
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Mexico City ๐ฒ๐ฝ
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Population | 926,426 | 5,585,556 | 144,900 | 517,000 | 6,578,0179 | 8,850,000 |
Official language(s) | English (de facto) | Catalan, Spanish | Greek | Portuguese | Spanish | Spanish |
Level of English | Very high | High | High | Very high | Moderate | Moderate |
Main airport | Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) | Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) | Larnaca International Airport (LCA) | Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) | Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) | Mexico City International Airport (MEX) |
Most common months to visit | March - May, September - November | April - June, September - November | March - May, October - December | March - May, September, October | March - May, September - November | March - May, October, November |
Currency | USD - US Dollar ($) | EUR - Euro (โฌ) | EUR - Euro (โฌ) | EUR - Euro (โฌ) | EUR - Euro (โฌ) | MXN - Mexican Peso ($) |
Credit cards | Accepted almost everywhere | Accepted almost evewhere | Accepted everywhere | Accepted almost everywhere (less for AMEX) | Accepted everywhere | Widely accepted (less with AMEX) |
Remote worker visa | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Average monthly costs | $3484 | $2384 | $1959 | $1984 | $2498 | $1867 |
Rent | $1650 | $932 | $678 | $965 | $1174 | $778 |
Groceries | $243 | $121 | $157 | $136 | $175 | $281 |
Dining out | $396 | $403 | $261 | $271 | $313 | $182 |
Cafe | $66 | $45 | $56 | $37 | $51 | $49 |
Coworking space | $331 | $213 | $209 | $164 | $196 | $159 |
Mobile internet | $40 | $10 | $35 | $24 | $10 | $25 |
Public transportation | $110 | $127 | $63 | $63 | $78 | $11 |
Taxis | $73 | $48 | $42 | $27 | $44 | $9 |
Shared bicycles and scooters | $96 | $24 | $45 | $18 | $49 | $24 |
Sport and cultural events | $54 | $81 | $28 | $29 | $54 | $81 |
Museums and sights | $11 | $33 | $8 | $24 | $20 | $20 |
Nightlife | $124 | $112 | $110 | $47 | $82 | $64 |
Gym | $62 | $81 | $107 | $65 | $44 | $69 |
Yoga | $139 | $93 | $105 | $65 | $142 | $65 |
Massage | $89 | $59 | $54 | $50 | $64 | $51 |
SIM card options | AT&T, T-Mobile. | Vodafone, Movistar | Primetel, Cytamobile-Vodafone and Epic/MTN | Vodafone | Orange, Movistar, Vodafone | Telcel, Movistar |
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% usually added and expected at restaurants, round up at bars | 5-10% for restaurants, not common at bars | Not customary or expected but small tips are appreciated. | 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services |
Taxi apps | Uber, Lyft | Cabify, FreeNow | nTaxi | Uber, FreeNow | Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now | Uber |
Tap water | Drinkable | Drinkable | Not drinkable | 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. | 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 | Fresh, regional produce accentuated with garlic and olive oil and mixed with various meats and seafoods. Influenced both by Mediterranean and Middle-Eastern flavors. | Corn, beans, tortillas and chili peppers typically alongside meat and cheese |
Local food specialities | Frito pie, queso, apple pie, kolaches, BBQ ribs, tacos | Paella, bombas, esqueixada, pa amb tomรกquet, escalivada, crema Catalana, gazpacho, chorizo | Souvlaki, sheftalia, kleftiko, stifado, halloumi, koukepia and moussaka | Bacalhau ร bras, sardinhas, petiscos, leitรฃo, polvo ร lagareiro, pasteis de nata, bifana | Paella, tapas, tortilla, gazpacho, pulpo a la gallega, callos a la madrileรฑa, churros | Enchiladas, torta de chilaquiles, esquites, quesadillas, tlacoyos, tacos, tostadas |
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 | 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 | 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! | Markets, food stalls, menรบ del dรญa (cheap set lunch menus) |
Vegetarian / vegan options | 30 options on HappyCow | 98 options on HappyCow | 14 options on HappyCow, but non-meat Mediterranean/Middle Eastern options are always available | 401 listings on Happy Cow | 85 listings on Happy Cow | 279 listings on Happy Cow |