Bangkok vs Berlin vs Bucharest vs Buenos Aires vs Cape Town vs Mexico City vs Porto

Bangkok 🇹🇭
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Berlin 🇩🇪
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Bucharest 🇷🇴
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Buenos Aires 🇦🇷
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Cape Town 🇿🇦
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Mexico City 🇲🇽
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Porto 🇵🇹
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Population 5,680,000 3,400,000 1,830,000 2,900,000 4,617,560 8,850,000 237,559
Official language(s) Thai German Romanian Spanish Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English Spanish Portuguese
Level of English Low Very high High High Very high Moderate Very High
Main airport Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) Berlin Tegel (TXL) Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP) Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE) Cape Town International Airport (CPT) Mexico City International Airport (MEX) Francisco Sá Carneiro International Airport (OPO)
Most common months to visit January - March, November, December May - September April - October September - December March - May, September - November March - May, October, November May - September
Currency THB - Thai Baht (฿) EUR - Euro (€) RON - Romanian Leu (L) ARS - Argentine Peso ($) ZAR - South African Rand (R) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) EUR - Euro (€)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted in some places but cash often preferred Accepted almost everywhere Accepted everywhere. (ID required!) Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops Widely accepted (less with AMEX) Accepted everywhere
Remote worker visa No Yes No No No Yes Yes
Average monthly costs $1560 $2200 $1351 $1321 $1549 $1867 $1759
Rent $616 $939 $615 $844 $618 $778 $717
Groceries $191 $188 $114 $98 $129 $281 $148
Dining out $168 $271 $165 $121 $269 $182 $280
Cafe $45 $57 $38 $25 $32 $49 $45
Coworking space $127 $174 $133 $95 $151 $159 $96
Mobile internet $23 $23 $7 $11 $27 $25 $21
Public transportation $32 $88 $21 $9 $55 $11 $95
Taxis $19 $58 $9 $9 $21 $9 $25
Shared bicycles and scooters $17 $17 $25 $14 $49 $24 $10
Sport and cultural events $46 $64 $29 $24 $19 $81 $45
Museums and sights $21 $37 $29 $4 $15 $20 $24
Nightlife $50 $63 $45 $23 $43 $64 $66
Gym $96 $66 $30 $14 $36 $69 $56
Yoga $98 $99 $59 $19 $56 $65 $82
Massage $11 $56 $31 $10 $30 $51 $48
SIM card options AIS Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone Vodafone, Orange Movistar, Claro, Personal MTN, Vodacom Telcel, Movistar Vodafone, MEO, NOS
Tipping 10% for restaurants, bars and services Round up for restaurants, not common for bars and services 5% - 10% at restaurants, 5% - 10% tip for services is appreciated but not expected, round up for taxis 10% at restaurants and cafés is common, not common at bars 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services 5-10% at restaurants if happy with service, not expected at cafes or bars
Taxi apps Grab Mytaxi, Uber Star Taxi, Uber Uber (not official), Cabify, BA Taxi (Spanish only) Uber, Bolt Uber Uber, MyTaxi, Cabify
Tap water Not drinkable Drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Drinkable
Overall cuisine Meat and fish dishes, vegetables, noodles and soup Heavy and hearty meals with plenty of meat, potatoes and bread Wide range of meat and fish dishes, soups, salads and cheeses influenced by German, Hungarian, Turkish, Greek and Ukrainian cuisine. Argentinian style with an emphasis on red meats, pastries, and Italian-inspired options 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. Corn, beans, tortillas and chili peppers typically alongside meat and cheese A variety of meats often mixed with fresh legumes and vegetables. Emphasis on rich seafood dishes and creamy desserts.
Local food specialities Pad thai, tom yam, kway teow reua, som tum, sooan Currywurst, spätzle, königsberger klopse, schnitzel, eisbein, doner kebab, pretzels Sarmale, mămăligă, mici, ciolan cu fasole, ciorbă de burtă, covrig, papanasi Asado, empanadas (Argentinian style), locro, milanesa napolitana, facturas and alfajores Bitlong and droewors, boerewors, Cape Malay curry, bobotie, melkert, gatsby, bunny chow Enchiladas, torta de chilaquiles, esquites, quesadillas, tlacoyos, tacos, tostadas Bacalhau, Alheira de Mirandela, Francesinha, queido da serra da estrela, tripas a moda do Oporto, pasteis de chaves, tarte de amendoa
Eat like a local Food stalls, local markets, shophouse restaurants Brew pubs, cafes, bars, deli shops Set lunch menus, cafe terraces, cofeterias Local restaurants serving asados grill-to-dish (Parrillas), markets (San Telmo, Recoleta) and local cafés for maté and facturas Cape Malay shacks, food trucks, street food joints, local grills, small bakeries and food markets Markets, food stalls, menú del día (cheap set lunch menus) Local taverns, terraces, markets, tascas, churrascarias and local sports bars
Vegetarian / vegan options 416 listings on Happy Cow 844 listings on Happy Cow 33 listings on Happy Cow 79 options on Happy Cow 24 options on HappyCow 279 listings on Happy Cow 46 options on Happy Cow