Austin vs Bangkok vs Barbados vs Bogota vs Istanbul vs Panama City

Austin ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ
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Bangkok ๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ญ
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Barbados ๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ง
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Bogota ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ด
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Istanbul ๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท
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Panama City ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฆ
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Population 926,426 5,680,000 110,000 10,978,360 15,520,000 880,691
Official language(s) English (de facto) Thai English, Bajan Creole Spanish Turkish Spanish
Level of English Very high Low Very high Low Low Low
Main airport Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) Bridgetown/Grantley Adams International Airport (BGI) El Dorado International Airport (BOG) Istanbul Airport (IST) Tocumen International Airport (PTY)
Most common months to visit March - May, September - November January - March, November, December November - May January - March, December April - June, September and October December - April
Currency USD - US Dollar ($) THB - Thai Baht (เธฟ) BBD - Barbadian dollar ($) COP - Colombian Peso ($) TRY - Turkish Lira (โ‚บ) PAB - Panamanian Balboa (B/.)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted almost everywhere Accepted in some places, cash also needed for smaller businesses Accepted everywhere Accepted in most places Accepted almost everywhere but not in smaller shops.
Remote worker visa No No Yes No No Yes
Average monthly costs $3484 $1560 $2702 $1097 $659 $2359
Rent $1650 $616 $1054 $480 $354 $1036
Groceries $243 $191 $234 $82 $44 $236
Dining out $396 $168 $345 $174 $81 $371
Cafe $66 $45 $75 $22 $18 $43
Coworking space $331 $127 $321 $77 $49 $157
Mobile internet $40 $23 $49 $11 $3 $21
Public transportation $110 $32 $35 $23 $6 $12
Taxis $73 $19 $106 $28 $6 $48
Shared bicycles and scooters $96 $17 $0 $17 $2 $0
Sport and cultural events $54 $46 $37 $22 $11 $35
Museums and sights $11 $21 $36 $7 $15 $9
Nightlife $124 $50 $96 $46 $22 $117
Gym $62 $96 $86 $15 $9 $37
Yoga $139 $98 $130 $57 $23 $163
Massage $89 $11 $99 $37 $15 $75
SIM card options AT&T, T-Mobile. AIS Digicel Tigo, Movistar, Claro Turkcell, Turk Telekom Claro, Movistar
Tipping 15-20% at restaurants, 1USD or more per drink at cafes and bars 10% for restaurants, bars and services 10 - 15% usually included in restaurants, add 10 - 15% at bars 10% service included in all bills, not required or expected at bars without table service Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafรฉs and bars 10% in restaurants, round up elsewhere
Taxi apps Uber, Lyft Grab None available Uber, Cabify BiTaksi Uber, Tu Chofer
Tap water Drinkable Not drinkable Not 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. Meat and fish dishes, vegetables, noodles and soup 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. Latin American. Dishes with beef, pork and chicken are often mixed with flour-based foods and fruity desserts. Heavy influence from the Andes and other Colombian regions. A fusion of cultures creates diverse dishes with bulgur, koftes, stews, eggplants and fish 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 Pad thai, tom yam, kway teow reua, som tum, sooan Cou-cou and flying fish, fish cakes, cutters, pudding and souse, macaroni pie, conkies, Bajan black cake, sea eggs Arepas, ajiaco santaferense, buรฑuelos, patacones, tรฉ de coca, changua Dรถner, ฤฐรงli Kรถfte, Dondurma, Karnฤฑyarฤฑk, Turkish delight 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 Food stalls, local markets, shophouse restaurants Food trucks, pubs, seaside street food, roadside carts, local seafood restaurants, smaller traditional restaurants and rum shops Local family restaurants and those from other regions. Menรบ del dรญa. Community markets and sports bars. Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee Fondas (roadside stalls), smaller local restaurants, local markets, food trucks
Vegetarian / vegan options 30 options on HappyCow 416 listings on Happy Cow 14 options on HappyCow 104 options on Happy Cow 59 listings on Happy Cow 7 options on HappyCow