Bangkok vs Bucharest vs Cape Town vs Istanbul vs Madrid vs Panama City

Bangkok 🇹🇭
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Bucharest 🇷🇴
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Cape Town 🇿🇦
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Madrid 🇪🇸
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Panama City 🇵🇦
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Population 5,680,000 1,830,000 4,617,560 15,520,000 6,578,0179 880,691
Official language(s) Thai Romanian Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English Turkish Spanish Spanish
Level of English Low High Very high Low Moderate Low
Main airport Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP) Cape Town International Airport (CPT) Istanbul Airport (IST) Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) Tocumen International Airport (PTY)
Most common months to visit January - March, November, December April - October March - May, September - November April - June, September and October March - May, September - November December - April
Currency THB - Thai Baht (฿) RON - Romanian Leu (L) ZAR - South African Rand (R) TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) EUR - Euro (€) PAB - Panamanian Balboa (B/.)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted almost everywhere Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops Accepted in most places Accepted everywhere Accepted almost everywhere but not in smaller shops.
Remote worker visa No No No No Yes Yes
Average monthly costs $1560 $1351 $1549 $659 $2498 $2359
Rent $616 $615 $618 $354 $1174 $1036
Groceries $191 $114 $129 $44 $175 $236
Dining out $168 $165 $269 $81 $313 $371
Cafe $45 $38 $32 $18 $51 $43
Coworking space $127 $133 $151 $49 $196 $157
Mobile internet $23 $7 $27 $3 $10 $21
Public transportation $32 $21 $55 $6 $78 $12
Taxis $19 $9 $21 $6 $44 $48
Shared bicycles and scooters $17 $25 $49 $2 $49 $0
Sport and cultural events $46 $29 $19 $11 $54 $35
Museums and sights $21 $29 $15 $15 $20 $9
Nightlife $50 $45 $43 $22 $82 $117
Gym $96 $30 $36 $9 $44 $37
Yoga $98 $59 $56 $23 $142 $163
Massage $11 $31 $30 $15 $64 $75
SIM card options AIS Vodafone, Orange MTN, Vodacom Turkcell, Turk Telekom Orange, Movistar, Vodafone Claro, Movistar
Tipping 10% for restaurants, bars and services 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 Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars Not customary or expected but small tips are appreciated. 10% in restaurants, round up elsewhere
Taxi apps Grab Star Taxi, Uber Uber, Bolt BiTaksi Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now Uber, Tu Chofer
Tap water Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Drinkable Not drinkable
Overall cuisine Meat and fish dishes, vegetables, noodles and soup 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. A fusion of cultures creates diverse dishes with bulgur, koftes, stews, eggplants and fish Fresh, regional produce accentuated with garlic and olive oil and mixed with various meats and seafoods. Influenced both by Mediterranean and Middle-Eastern flavors. 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 Sarmale, mămăligă, mici, ciolan cu fasole, ciorbă de burtă, covrig, papanasi Bitlong and droewors, boerewors, Cape Malay curry, bobotie, melkert, gatsby, bunny chow Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight Paella, tapas, tortilla, gazpacho, pulpo a la gallega, callos a la madrileña, churros Sancocho de gallina, carimanola, empanadas, tamales panameños, tostones, ropa vieja
Eat like a local Food stalls, local markets, shophouse restaurants Set lunch menus, cafe terraces, cofeterias Cape Malay shacks, food trucks, street food joints, local grills, small bakeries and food markets Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee Have some tapas and sangria at a tasca and paella at an authentic eatery. Keep an eye on the time and visit a cafeteria for a mid-afternoon merienda and some churros! Fondas (roadside stalls), smaller local restaurants, local markets, food trucks
Vegetarian / vegan options 416 listings on Happy Cow 33 listings on Happy Cow 24 options on HappyCow 59 listings on Happy Cow 85 listings on Happy Cow 7 options on HappyCow