Bangkok vs Barbados vs Buenos Aires vs Chiang Mai vs Madrid vs Playa del Carmen vs Valencia

Bangkok ๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ญ
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Barbados ๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ง
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Buenos Aires ๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ท
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Chiang Mai ๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ญ
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Madrid ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ
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Playa del Carmen ๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ
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Valencia ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ
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Population 5,680,000 110,000 2,900,000 1,166,978 6,578,0179 259,453 834,000
Official language(s) Thai English, Bajan Creole Spanish Thai Spanish Spanish Spanish, Valencian
Level of English Low Very high High Low Moderate Moderate Moderate
Main airport Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) Bridgetown/Grantley Adams International Airport (BGI) Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE) Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) Cancun International Airport (CUN) Valencia Manises Airport (VLC)
Most common months to visit January - March, November, December November - May September - December November - April March - May, September - November January - May, October - December March - June, September, October
Currency THB - Thai Baht (เธฟ) BBD - Barbadian dollar ($) ARS - Argentine Peso ($) THB - Thai Baht (เธฟ) EUR - Euro (โ‚ฌ) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) EUR - Euro (โ‚ฌ)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted in some places, cash also needed for smaller businesses Accepted everywhere. (ID required!) Accepted sometimes. Cash preferred in many places. Accepted everywhere Accepted almost everywhere Accepted almost everywhere
Remote worker visa No Yes No No Yes Yes Yes
Average monthly costs $1560 $2702 $1321 $974 $2498 $2143 $1976
Rent $616 $1054 $844 $274 $1174 $923 $869
Groceries $191 $234 $98 $169 $175 $127 $146
Dining out $168 $345 $121 $108 $313 $207 $292
Cafe $45 $75 $25 $45 $51 $42 $42
Coworking space $127 $321 $95 $95 $196 $160 $152
Mobile internet $23 $49 $11 $11 $10 $21 $16
Public transportation $32 $35 $9 $60 $78 $17 $38
Taxis $19 $106 $9 $20 $44 $9 $42
Shared bicycles and scooters $17 $0 $14 $10 $49 $49 $30
Sport and cultural events $46 $37 $24 $8 $54 $97 $73
Museums and sights $21 $36 $4 $8 $20 $217 $44
Nightlife $50 $96 $23 $62 $82 $77 $66
Gym $96 $86 $14 $41 $44 $42 $34
Yoga $98 $130 $19 $55 $142 $54 $87
Massage $11 $99 $10 $10 $64 $101 $45
SIM card options AIS Digicel Movistar, Claro, Personal AIS, DTAC Orange, Movistar, Vodafone Telcel, Movistar Vodafone, Orange
Tipping 10% for restaurants, bars and services 10 - 15% usually included in restaurants, add 10 - 15% at bars 10% at restaurants and cafรฉs is common, not common at bars 10% at restaurants, not customary or expected elsewhere Not customary or expected but small tips are appreciated. 10-15% for restaurants Round up for good service at restaurants, not common at bars
Taxi apps Grab None available Uber (not official), Cabify, BA Taxi (Spanish only) Grab Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now N/A Cabify, FreeNow
Tap water Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Drinkable Not drinkable Drinkable
Overall cuisine 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. Argentinian style with an emphasis on red meats, pastries, and Italian-inspired options Combines salty, sweet, spicy and sour flavors to create bold and colorful dishes. Meals typically include a mixture of meat and seafood dishes, as well as noodles or soups recipes. Strong emphasis on local spices and vegetables. Fresh, regional produce accentuated with garlic and olive oil and mixed with various meats and seafoods. Influenced both by Mediterranean and Middle-Eastern flavors. Staple dishes from maize, beans, sweet potato and avocado along with meat, chili peppers and other spices Mediterranean style using vegetables, seafoods and meats
Local food specialities 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 Asado, empanadas (Argentinian style), locro, milanesa napolitana, facturas and alfajores Khao soi, khan toke, sai oua, miang kham, nam prik, khanom jeen nam ngiaw, larb khua Paella, tapas, tortilla, gazpacho, pulpo a la gallega, callos a la madrileรฑa, churros Chilaquiles, tacos al pastor, chile rellenos, cochinita pibil, tostadas, pozole Paella, fideuร , esgarrat, orxata, bunyols
Eat like a local Food stalls, local markets, shophouse restaurants Food trucks, pubs, seaside street food, roadside carts, local seafood restaurants, smaller traditional restaurants and rum shops Local restaurants serving asados grill-to-dish (Parrillas), markets (San Telmo, Recoleta) and local cafรฉs for matรฉ and facturas Street food stalls, local markets, bakeries and smaller, traditional restaurants that serve fresh food Have some tapas and sangria at a tasca and paella at an authentic eatery. Keep an eye on the time and visit a cafeteria for a mid-afternoon merienda and some churros! Taco stands, esquite stalls, El Fogon, El Pirata, Dona Mary's Tapas bars, markets, menu del dia (cheap set lunches)
Vegetarian / vegan options 416 listings on Happy Cow 14 options on HappyCow 79 options on Happy Cow 90 options on HappyCow 85 listings on Happy Cow 72 listings on Happy Cow 98 listings on Happy Cow