Bangkok vs Barbados vs Buenos Aires vs Istanbul vs Panama City

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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Istanbul ๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท
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Panama City ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฆ
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Population 5,680,000 110,000 2,900,000 15,520,000 880,691
Official language(s) Thai English, Bajan Creole Spanish Turkish Spanish
Level of English Low Very high High Low Low
Main airport Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) Bridgetown/Grantley Adams International Airport (BGI) Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE) Istanbul Airport (IST) Tocumen International Airport (PTY)
Most common months to visit January - March, November, December November - May September - December April - June, September and October December - April
Currency THB - Thai Baht (เธฟ) BBD - Barbadian dollar ($) ARS - Argentine Peso ($) TRY - Turkish Lira (โ‚บ) PAB - Panamanian Balboa (B/.)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted in some places, cash also needed for smaller businesses Accepted everywhere. (ID required!) Accepted in most places Accepted almost everywhere but not in smaller shops.
Remote worker visa No Yes No No Yes
Average monthly costs $1560 $2702 $1321 $659 $2359
Rent $616 $1054 $844 $354 $1036
Groceries $191 $234 $98 $44 $236
Dining out $168 $345 $121 $81 $371
Cafe $45 $75 $25 $18 $43
Coworking space $127 $321 $95 $49 $157
Mobile internet $23 $49 $11 $3 $21
Public transportation $32 $35 $9 $6 $12
Taxis $19 $106 $9 $6 $48
Shared bicycles and scooters $17 $0 $14 $2 $0
Sport and cultural events $46 $37 $24 $11 $35
Museums and sights $21 $36 $4 $15 $9
Nightlife $50 $96 $23 $22 $117
Gym $96 $86 $14 $9 $37
Yoga $98 $130 $19 $23 $163
Massage $11 $99 $10 $15 $75
SIM card options AIS Digicel Movistar, Claro, Personal Turkcell, Turk Telekom Claro, Movistar
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 Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafรฉs and bars 10% in restaurants, round up elsewhere
Taxi apps Grab None available Uber (not official), Cabify, BA Taxi (Spanish only) BiTaksi Uber, Tu Chofer
Tap water Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not 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 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 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 Dรถner, ฤฐรงli Kรถfte, Dondurma, Karnฤฑyarฤฑk, Turkish delight Sancocho de gallina, carimanola, empanadas, tamales panameรฑos, tostones, ropa vieja
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 Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee Fondas (roadside stalls), smaller local restaurants, local markets, food trucks
Vegetarian / vegan options 416 listings on Happy Cow 14 options on HappyCow 79 options on Happy Cow 59 listings on Happy Cow 7 options on HappyCow