Austin vs Lisbon vs Mexico City vs Panama City

Austin ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ
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Lisbon ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น
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Mexico City ๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ
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Panama City ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฆ
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Population 926,426 517,000 8,850,000 880,691
Official language(s) English (de facto) Portuguese Spanish Spanish
Level of English Very high Very high Moderate Low
Main airport Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) Mexico City International Airport (MEX) Tocumen International Airport (PTY)
Most common months to visit March - May, September - November March - May, September, October March - May, October, November December - April
Currency USD - US Dollar ($) EUR - Euro (โ‚ฌ) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) PAB - Panamanian Balboa (B/.)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted almost everywhere (less for AMEX) Widely accepted (less with AMEX) Accepted almost everywhere but not in smaller shops.
Remote worker visa No Yes Yes Yes
Average monthly costs $3484 $1984 $1867 $2359
Rent $1650 $965 $778 $1036
Groceries $243 $136 $281 $236
Dining out $396 $271 $182 $371
Cafe $66 $37 $49 $43
Coworking space $331 $164 $159 $157
Mobile internet $40 $24 $25 $21
Public transportation $110 $63 $11 $12
Taxis $73 $27 $9 $48
Shared bicycles and scooters $96 $18 $24 $0
Sport and cultural events $54 $29 $81 $35
Museums and sights $11 $24 $20 $9
Nightlife $124 $47 $64 $117
Gym $62 $65 $69 $37
Yoga $139 $65 $65 $163
Massage $89 $50 $51 $75
SIM card options AT&T, T-Mobile. Vodafone Telcel, Movistar Claro, Movistar
Tipping 15-20% at restaurants, 1USD or more per drink at cafes and bars 5-10% for restaurants, not common at bars 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services 10% in restaurants, round up elsewhere
Taxi apps Uber, Lyft Uber, FreeNow Uber Uber, Tu Chofer
Tap water Drinkable 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 seafood, meats, soup, sausages and famous pastries Corn, beans, tortillas and chili peppers typically alongside meat and cheese 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 Bacalhau ร  bras, sardinhas, petiscos, leitรฃo, polvo ร  lagareiro, pasteis de nata, bifana Enchiladas, torta de chilaquiles, esquites, quesadillas, tlacoyos, tacos, tostadas 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 Tascas, snack bars, seafood restaurants Markets, food stalls, menรบ del dรญa (cheap set lunch menus) Fondas (roadside stalls), smaller local restaurants, local markets, food trucks
Vegetarian / vegan options 30 options on HappyCow 401 listings on Happy Cow 279 listings on Happy Cow 7 options on HappyCow