Bangkok vs Bogota vs Cape Town vs Mexico City vs Panama City vs Sofia

Bangkok ๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ญ
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Bogota ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ด
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Cape Town ๐Ÿ‡ฟ๐Ÿ‡ฆ
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Mexico City ๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ
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Panama City ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฆ
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Sofia ๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ฌ
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Population 5,680,000 10,978,360 4,617,560 8,850,000 880,691 1,270,169
Official language(s) Thai Spanish Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English Spanish Spanish Bulgarian
Level of English Low Low Very high Moderate Low High
Main airport Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) El Dorado International Airport (BOG) Cape Town International Airport (CPT) Mexico City International Airport (MEX) Tocumen International Airport (PTY) Sofia International Airport (SOF)
Most common months to visit January - March, November, December January - March, December March - May, September - November March - May, October, November December - April April-June, September-October
Currency THB - Thai Baht (เธฟ) COP - Colombian Peso ($) ZAR - South African Rand (R) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) PAB - Panamanian Balboa (B/.) BGN - Bulgarian Lev (ะปะฒ)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted everywhere Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops Widely accepted (less with AMEX) Accepted almost everywhere but not in smaller shops. Accepted everywhere
Remote worker visa No No No Yes Yes No
Average monthly costs $1560 $1097 $1549 $1867 $2359 $1289
Rent $616 $480 $618 $778 $1036 $567
Groceries $191 $82 $129 $281 $236 $10
Dining out $168 $174 $269 $182 $371 $227
Cafe $45 $22 $32 $49 $43 $27
Coworking space $127 $77 $151 $159 $157 $140
Mobile internet $23 $11 $27 $25 $21 $10
Public transportation $32 $23 $55 $11 $12 $30
Taxis $19 $28 $21 $9 $48 $12
Shared bicycles and scooters $17 $17 $49 $24 $0 $40
Sport and cultural events $46 $22 $19 $81 $35 $18
Museums and sights $21 $7 $15 $20 $9 $12
Nightlife $50 $46 $43 $64 $117 $82
Gym $96 $15 $36 $69 $37 $23
Yoga $98 $57 $56 $65 $163 $62
Massage $11 $37 $30 $51 $75 $29
SIM card options AIS Tigo, Movistar, Claro MTN, Vodacom Telcel, Movistar Claro, Movistar A1, Telenor, Vivacom
Tipping 10% for restaurants, bars and services 10% service included in all bills, not required or expected at bars without table service 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services 10% in restaurants, round up elsewhere 10% in restaurants, 1-2 BGN at bars and cafรฉs
Taxi apps Grab Uber, Cabify Uber, Bolt Uber Uber, Tu Chofer TaxiMe, TaxiStars
Tap water 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. 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 sautรฉed 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 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. Vegetables and mild spices are often mixed with dairy products to create rich chicken and pork products. Seafood dishes also popular in some regions of the country, making them popular in the capital.
Local food specialities Pad thai, tom yam, kway teow reua, som tum, sooan Arepas, ajiaco santaferense, buรฑuelos, patacones, tรฉ de coca, changua Bitlong and droewors, boerewors, Cape Malay curry, bobotie, melkert, gatsby, bunny chow Enchiladas, torta de chilaquiles, esquites, quesadillas, tlacoyos, tacos, tostadas Sancocho de gallina, carimanola, empanadas, tamales panameรฑos, tostones, ropa vieja Kebapche, Bulgarian musaka, lyutenitsa, shkember chorba, kyufte, kavarma, banitsa and tarator
Eat like a local Food stalls, local markets, shophouse restaurants Local family restaurants and those from other regions. Menรบ del dรญa. Community markets and sports bars. Cape Malay shacks, food trucks, street food joints, local grills, small bakeries and food markets Markets, food stalls, menรบ del dรญa (cheap set lunch menus) Fondas (roadside stalls), smaller local restaurants, local markets, food trucks Taverns, local BBQ restaurants, local markets and smaller eateries in residential and university areas.
Vegetarian / vegan options 416 listings on Happy Cow 104 options on Happy Cow 24 options on HappyCow 279 listings on Happy Cow 7 options on HappyCow 20 options on HappyCow