Austin vs Buenos Aires vs Panama City vs Playa del Carmen

Austin ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ
Remove
Buenos Aires ๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ท
Remove
Panama City ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฆ
Remove
Playa del Carmen ๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ
Remove
Population 926,426 2,900,000 880,691 259,453
Official language(s) English (de facto) Spanish Spanish Spanish
Level of English Very high High Low Moderate
Main airport Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE) Tocumen International Airport (PTY) Cancun International Airport (CUN)
Most common months to visit March - May, September - November September - December December - April January - May, October - December
Currency USD - US Dollar ($) ARS - Argentine Peso ($) PAB - Panamanian Balboa (B/.) MXN - Mexican Peso ($)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted everywhere. (ID required!) Accepted almost everywhere but not in smaller shops. Accepted almost everywhere
Remote worker visa No No Yes Yes
Average monthly costs $3484 $1321 $2359 $2143
Rent $1650 $844 $1036 $923
Groceries $243 $98 $236 $127
Dining out $396 $121 $371 $207
Cafe $66 $25 $43 $42
Coworking space $331 $95 $157 $160
Mobile internet $40 $11 $21 $21
Public transportation $110 $9 $12 $17
Taxis $73 $9 $48 $9
Shared bicycles and scooters $96 $14 $0 $49
Sport and cultural events $54 $24 $35 $97
Museums and sights $11 $4 $9 $217
Nightlife $124 $23 $117 $77
Gym $62 $14 $37 $42
Yoga $139 $19 $163 $54
Massage $89 $10 $75 $101
SIM card options AT&T, T-Mobile. Movistar, Claro, Personal Claro, Movistar Telcel, Movistar
Tipping 15-20% at restaurants, 1USD or more per drink at cafes and bars 10% at restaurants and cafรฉs is common, not common at bars 10% in restaurants, round up elsewhere 10-15% for restaurants
Taxi apps Uber, Lyft Uber (not official), Cabify, BA Taxi (Spanish only) Uber, Tu Chofer N/A
Tap water 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. Argentinian style with an emphasis on red meats, pastries, and Italian-inspired options 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
Local food specialities Frito pie, queso, apple pie, kolaches, BBQ ribs, tacos Asado, empanadas (Argentinian style), locro, milanesa napolitana, facturas and alfajores Sancocho de gallina, carimanola, empanadas, tamales panameรฑos, tostones, ropa vieja Chilaquiles, tacos al pastor, chile rellenos, cochinita pibil, tostadas, pozole
Eat like a local Local tex-mex restaurants, lunch BBQ joints, taquerias, food trucks, local breweries Local restaurants serving asados grill-to-dish (Parrillas), markets (San Telmo, Recoleta) and local cafรฉs for matรฉ and facturas Fondas (roadside stalls), smaller local restaurants, local markets, food trucks Taco stands, esquite stalls, El Fogon, El Pirata, Dona Mary's
Vegetarian / vegan options 30 options on HappyCow 79 options on Happy Cow 7 options on HappyCow 72 listings on Happy Cow