Austin vs Cape Town vs Medellin vs Playa del Carmen vs Prague

Austin 🇺🇸
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Cape Town 🇿🇦
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Medellin 🇨🇴
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Playa del Carmen 🇲🇽
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Prague 🇨🇿
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Population 926,426 4,617,560 2,427,000 259,453 1,305,737
Official language(s) English (de facto) Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English Spanish Spanish Czech
Level of English Very high Very high Low Moderate High
Main airport Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Cape Town International Airport (CPT) José María Córdova International Airport (MDE) Cancun International Airport (CUN) Václav Havel Airport Prague (PRG)
Most common months to visit March - May, September - November March - May, September - November January - April, December January - May, October - December June - October
Currency USD - US Dollar ($) ZAR - South African Rand (R) COP - Colombian Peso ($) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) CZK - Czech Koruna (Kč)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops Accepted in some places Accepted almost everywhere Accepted most places (some places are cash only)
Remote worker visa No No No Yes Yes
Average monthly costs $3484 $1549 $1293 $2143 $1806
Rent $1650 $618 $732 $923 $780
Groceries $243 $129 $87 $127 $158
Dining out $396 $269 $131 $207 $240
Cafe $66 $32 $18 $42 $53
Coworking space $331 $151 $96 $160 $175
Mobile internet $40 $27 $16 $21 $24
Public transportation $110 $55 $21 $17 $61
Taxis $73 $21 $14 $9 $33
Shared bicycles and scooters $96 $49 $0 $49 $19
Sport and cultural events $54 $19 $8 $97 $19
Museums and sights $11 $15 $9 $217 $35
Nightlife $124 $43 $73 $77 $50
Gym $62 $36 $15 $42 $56
Yoga $139 $56 $54 $54 $66
Massage $89 $30 $20 $101 $37
SIM card options AT&T, T-Mobile. MTN, Vodacom Claro, Tigo Telcel, Movistar Vodafone, T-Mobile
Tipping 15-20% at restaurants, 1USD or more per drink at cafes and bars 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere Tip 10% in restaurants 10-15% for restaurants 10% at restaurants and bars, round up elsewhere
Taxi apps Uber, Lyft Uber, Bolt EasyTaxi N/A Uber, Liftago
Tap water Drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Drinkable
Overall cuisine Emphasis on barbecued meats (beef and pork) as well as corn-based dishes and tex-mex, and rich American-style desserts. South African cuisine has been shaped by a long history of Dutch, Malay, British and Indian settlements, making the food diverse and strong in flavor. There is a strong emphasis on game in all of its different forms, as well as spicy sauces and sautéed vegetables and dry-cured meats. Creamy desserts and liqueurs compliment large and flavorful meals. A blend of indigenous and European traditions with rice, maize, cassava, assorted legumes, and meats Staple dishes from maize, beans, sweet potato and avocado along with meat, chili peppers and other spices Thick soups are often combined with stewed vegetables and baked meats to produce rich dishes. Gravies and creams are popular in Czech cuisine, as is beer!
Local food specialities Frito pie, queso, apple pie, kolaches, BBQ ribs, tacos Bitlong and droewors, boerewors, Cape Malay curry, bobotie, melkert, gatsby, bunny chow Bandeja paisa, ajiaco, mondongo, empanada, and arepa Chilaquiles, tacos al pastor, chile rellenos, cochinita pibil, tostadas, pozole Vepřo knedlo zelo, Česnečka, Guláš, Svíčková na smetaně, Ovocné Knedlíky.
Eat like a local Local tex-mex restaurants, lunch BBQ joints, taquerias, food trucks, local breweries Cape Malay shacks, food trucks, street food joints, local grills, small bakeries and food markets Street stalls for empanada and arepa with cheese, restaurants for traditional Colombian food Taco stands, esquite stalls, El Fogon, El Pirata, Dona Mary's Pubs and taverns, street food stalls, local cafés
Vegetarian / vegan options 30 options on HappyCow 24 options on HappyCow 153 listings on Happy Cow 72 listings on Happy Cow 112 options on HappyCow