Bangkok vs Bogota vs Bucharest vs Cape Town vs Chiang Mai vs Medellin vs Panama City

Bangkok 🇹🇭
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Bogota 🇨🇴
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Bucharest 🇷🇴
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Cape Town 🇿🇦
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Chiang Mai 🇹🇭
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Medellin 🇨🇴
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Panama City 🇵🇦
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Population 5,680,000 10,978,360 1,830,000 4,617,560 1,166,978 2,427,000 880,691
Official language(s) Thai Spanish Romanian Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English Thai Spanish Spanish
Level of English Low Low High Very high Low Low Low
Main airport Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) El Dorado International Airport (BOG) Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP) Cape Town International Airport (CPT) Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) José María Córdova International Airport (MDE) Tocumen International Airport (PTY)
Most common months to visit January - March, November, December January - March, December April - October March - May, September - November November - April January - April, December December - April
Currency THB - Thai Baht (฿) COP - Colombian Peso ($) RON - Romanian Leu (L) ZAR - South African Rand (R) THB - Thai Baht (฿) COP - Colombian Peso ($) PAB - Panamanian Balboa (B/.)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted everywhere Accepted almost everywhere Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops Accepted sometimes. Cash preferred in many places. Accepted in some places Accepted almost everywhere but not in smaller shops.
Remote worker visa No No No No No No Yes
Average monthly costs $1560 $1097 $1351 $1549 $974 $1293 $2359
Rent $616 $480 $615 $618 $274 $732 $1036
Groceries $191 $82 $114 $129 $169 $87 $236
Dining out $168 $174 $165 $269 $108 $131 $371
Cafe $45 $22 $38 $32 $45 $18 $43
Coworking space $127 $77 $133 $151 $95 $96 $157
Mobile internet $23 $11 $7 $27 $11 $16 $21
Public transportation $32 $23 $21 $55 $60 $21 $12
Taxis $19 $28 $9 $21 $20 $14 $48
Shared bicycles and scooters $17 $17 $25 $49 $10 $0 $0
Sport and cultural events $46 $22 $29 $19 $8 $8 $35
Museums and sights $21 $7 $29 $15 $8 $9 $9
Nightlife $50 $46 $45 $43 $62 $73 $117
Gym $96 $15 $30 $36 $41 $15 $37
Yoga $98 $57 $59 $56 $55 $54 $163
Massage $11 $37 $31 $30 $10 $20 $75
SIM card options AIS Tigo, Movistar, Claro Vodafone, Orange MTN, Vodacom AIS, DTAC Claro, Tigo Claro, Movistar
Tipping 10% for restaurants, bars and services 10% service included in all bills, not required or expected at bars without table service 5% - 10% at restaurants, 5% - 10% tip for services is appreciated but not expected, round up for taxis 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere 10% at restaurants, not customary or expected elsewhere Tip 10% in restaurants 10% in restaurants, round up elsewhere
Taxi apps Grab Uber, Cabify Star Taxi, Uber Uber, Bolt Grab EasyTaxi Uber, Tu Chofer
Tap water Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable
Overall cuisine Meat and fish dishes, vegetables, noodles and soup 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. Wide range of meat and fish dishes, soups, salads and cheeses influenced by German, Hungarian, Turkish, Greek and Ukrainian cuisine. 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. 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. A blend of indigenous and European traditions with rice, maize, cassava, assorted legumes, and meats 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 Arepas, ajiaco santaferense, buñuelos, patacones, té de coca, changua Sarmale, mămăligă, mici, ciolan cu fasole, ciorbă de burtă, covrig, papanasi Bitlong and droewors, boerewors, Cape Malay curry, bobotie, melkert, gatsby, bunny chow Khao soi, khan toke, sai oua, miang kham, nam prik, khanom jeen nam ngiaw, larb khua Bandeja paisa, ajiaco, mondongo, empanada, and arepa Sancocho de gallina, carimanola, empanadas, tamales panameños, tostones, ropa vieja
Eat like a local Food stalls, local markets, shophouse restaurants Local family restaurants and those from other regions. Menú del día. Community markets and sports bars. Set lunch menus, cafe terraces, cofeterias Cape Malay shacks, food trucks, street food joints, local grills, small bakeries and food markets Street food stalls, local markets, bakeries and smaller, traditional restaurants that serve fresh food Street stalls for empanada and arepa with cheese, restaurants for traditional Colombian food Fondas (roadside stalls), smaller local restaurants, local markets, food trucks
Vegetarian / vegan options 416 listings on Happy Cow 104 options on Happy Cow 33 listings on Happy Cow 24 options on HappyCow 90 options on HappyCow 153 listings on Happy Cow 7 options on HappyCow