Austin vs Barbados vs Playa del Carmen vs Sofia

Austin ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ
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Barbados ๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ง
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Playa del Carmen ๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ
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Sofia ๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ฌ
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Population 926,426 110,000 259,453 1,270,169
Official language(s) English (de facto) English, Bajan Creole Spanish Bulgarian
Level of English Very high Very high Moderate High
Main airport Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Bridgetown/Grantley Adams International Airport (BGI) Cancun International Airport (CUN) Sofia International Airport (SOF)
Most common months to visit March - May, September - November November - May January - May, October - December April-June, September-October
Currency USD - US Dollar ($) BBD - Barbadian dollar ($) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) BGN - Bulgarian Lev (ะปะฒ)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted in some places, cash also needed for smaller businesses Accepted almost everywhere Accepted everywhere
Remote worker visa No Yes Yes No
Average monthly costs $3484 $2702 $2143 $1289
Rent $1650 $1054 $923 $567
Groceries $243 $234 $127 $10
Dining out $396 $345 $207 $227
Cafe $66 $75 $42 $27
Coworking space $331 $321 $160 $140
Mobile internet $40 $49 $21 $10
Public transportation $110 $35 $17 $30
Taxis $73 $106 $9 $12
Shared bicycles and scooters $96 $0 $49 $40
Sport and cultural events $54 $37 $97 $18
Museums and sights $11 $36 $217 $12
Nightlife $124 $96 $77 $82
Gym $62 $86 $42 $23
Yoga $139 $130 $54 $62
Massage $89 $99 $101 $29
SIM card options AT&T, T-Mobile. Digicel Telcel, Movistar A1, Telenor, Vivacom
Tipping 15-20% at restaurants, 1USD or more per drink at cafes and bars 10 - 15% usually included in restaurants, add 10 - 15% at bars 10-15% for restaurants 10% in restaurants, 1-2 BGN at bars and cafรฉs
Taxi apps Uber, Lyft None available N/A TaxiMe, TaxiStars
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. Bajan cuisine features an eclectic mix of European, Asian, and Caribbean styles resulting in bold, tasty and crunchy meat or fish dishes with lots of spices, lime juice, thyme and salads laden with local vegetables and hot side dishes. 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 Cou-cou and flying fish, fish cakes, cutters, pudding and souse, macaroni pie, conkies, Bajan black cake, sea eggs 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 Food trucks, pubs, seaside street food, roadside carts, local seafood restaurants, smaller traditional restaurants and rum shops 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 14 options on HappyCow 72 listings on Happy Cow 20 options on HappyCow