Bangkok vs Barbados vs Cape Town vs Playa del Carmen vs Valencia

Bangkok 🇹🇭
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Barbados 🇧🇧
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Cape Town 🇿🇦
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Playa del Carmen 🇲🇽
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Valencia 🇪🇸
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Population 5,680,000 110,000 4,617,560 259,453 834,000
Official language(s) Thai English, Bajan Creole Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English Spanish Spanish, Valencian
Level of English Low Very high Very high Moderate Moderate
Main airport Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) Bridgetown/Grantley Adams International Airport (BGI) Cape Town International Airport (CPT) Cancun International Airport (CUN) Valencia Manises Airport (VLC)
Most common months to visit January - March, November, December November - May March - May, September - November January - May, October - December March - June, September, October
Currency THB - Thai Baht (฿) BBD - Barbadian dollar ($) ZAR - South African Rand (R) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) EUR - Euro (€)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted in some places, cash also needed for smaller businesses Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops Accepted almost everywhere Accepted almost everywhere
Remote worker visa No Yes No Yes Yes
Average monthly costs $1560 $2702 $1549 $2143 $1976
Rent $616 $1054 $618 $923 $869
Groceries $191 $234 $129 $127 $146
Dining out $168 $345 $269 $207 $292
Cafe $45 $75 $32 $42 $42
Coworking space $127 $321 $151 $160 $152
Mobile internet $23 $49 $27 $21 $16
Public transportation $32 $35 $55 $17 $38
Taxis $19 $106 $21 $9 $42
Shared bicycles and scooters $17 $0 $49 $49 $30
Sport and cultural events $46 $37 $19 $97 $73
Museums and sights $21 $36 $15 $217 $44
Nightlife $50 $96 $43 $77 $66
Gym $96 $86 $36 $42 $34
Yoga $98 $130 $56 $54 $87
Massage $11 $99 $30 $101 $45
SIM card options AIS Digicel MTN, Vodacom Telcel, Movistar Vodafone, Orange
Tipping 10% for restaurants, bars and services 10 - 15% usually included in restaurants, add 10 - 15% at bars 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere 10-15% for restaurants Round up for good service at restaurants, not common at bars
Taxi apps Grab None available Uber, Bolt N/A Cabify, FreeNow
Tap water Not drinkable Not drinkable Not 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. South African cuisine has been shaped by a long history of Dutch, Malay, British and Indian settlements, making the food diverse and strong in flavor. There is a strong emphasis on game in all of its different forms, as well as spicy sauces and sautéed vegetables and dry-cured meats. Creamy desserts and liqueurs compliment large and flavorful meals. 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 Bitlong and droewors, boerewors, Cape Malay curry, bobotie, melkert, gatsby, bunny chow Chilaquiles, tacos al pastor, chile rellenos, cochinita pibil, tostadas, pozole Paella, fideuà, 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 Cape Malay shacks, food trucks, street food joints, local grills, small bakeries and food markets 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 24 options on HappyCow 72 listings on Happy Cow 98 listings on Happy Cow