Austin vs Madrid vs Panama City vs Playa del Carmen vs Sofia

Austin ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ
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Madrid ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ
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Panama City ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฆ
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Playa del Carmen ๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ
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Sofia ๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ฌ
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Population 926,426 6,578,0179 880,691 259,453 1,270,169
Official language(s) English (de facto) Spanish Spanish Spanish Bulgarian
Level of English Very high Moderate Low Moderate High
Main airport Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) Tocumen International Airport (PTY) Cancun International Airport (CUN) Sofia International Airport (SOF)
Most common months to visit March - May, September - November March - May, September - November December - April January - May, October - December April-June, September-October
Currency USD - US Dollar ($) EUR - Euro (โ‚ฌ) PAB - Panamanian Balboa (B/.) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) BGN - Bulgarian Lev (ะปะฒ)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted everywhere Accepted almost everywhere but not in smaller shops. Accepted almost everywhere Accepted everywhere
Remote worker visa No Yes Yes Yes No
Average monthly costs $3484 $2498 $2359 $2143 $1289
Rent $1650 $1174 $1036 $923 $567
Groceries $243 $175 $236 $127 $10
Dining out $396 $313 $371 $207 $227
Cafe $66 $51 $43 $42 $27
Coworking space $331 $196 $157 $160 $140
Mobile internet $40 $10 $21 $21 $10
Public transportation $110 $78 $12 $17 $30
Taxis $73 $44 $48 $9 $12
Shared bicycles and scooters $96 $49 $0 $49 $40
Sport and cultural events $54 $54 $35 $97 $18
Museums and sights $11 $20 $9 $217 $12
Nightlife $124 $82 $117 $77 $82
Gym $62 $44 $37 $42 $23
Yoga $139 $142 $163 $54 $62
Massage $89 $64 $75 $101 $29
SIM card options AT&T, T-Mobile. Orange, Movistar, Vodafone Claro, Movistar Telcel, Movistar A1, Telenor, Vivacom
Tipping 15-20% at restaurants, 1USD or more per drink at cafes and bars Not customary or expected but small tips are appreciated. 10% in restaurants, round up elsewhere 10-15% for restaurants 10% in restaurants, 1-2 BGN at bars and cafรฉs
Taxi apps Uber, Lyft Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now Uber, Tu Chofer N/A TaxiMe, TaxiStars
Tap water 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. Fresh, regional produce accentuated with garlic and olive oil and mixed with various meats and seafoods. Influenced both by Mediterranean and Middle-Eastern flavors. 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 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, tapas, tortilla, gazpacho, pulpo a la gallega, callos a la madrileรฑa, churros Sancocho de gallina, carimanola, empanadas, tamales panameรฑos, tostones, ropa vieja Chilaquiles, tacos al pastor, chile rellenos, cochinita pibil, tostadas, pozole 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 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! Fondas (roadside stalls), smaller local restaurants, local markets, food trucks Taco stands, esquite stalls, El Fogon, El Pirata, Dona Mary's Taverns, local BBQ restaurants, local markets and smaller eateries in residential and university areas.
Vegetarian / vegan options 30 options on HappyCow 85 listings on Happy Cow 7 options on HappyCow 72 listings on Happy Cow 20 options on HappyCow