Bangkok vs Bucharest vs Chiang Mai vs Istanbul vs Madrid vs Medellin vs New York City vs Panama City

Bangkok 🇹🇭
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Bucharest 🇷🇴
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Chiang Mai 🇹🇭
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Madrid 🇪🇸
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Medellin 🇨🇴
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New York City 🇺🇸
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Panama City 🇵🇦
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Population 5,680,000 1,830,000 1,166,978 15,520,000 6,578,0179 2,427,000 8,323,340 880,691
Official language(s) Thai Romanian Thai Turkish Spanish Spanish English (de facto) Spanish
Level of English Low High Low Low Moderate Low Very high Low
Main airport Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP) Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) Istanbul Airport (IST) Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) José María Córdova International Airport (MDE) John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) Tocumen International Airport (PTY)
Most common months to visit January - March, November, December April - October November - April April - June, September and October March - May, September - November January - April, December April - June, September - November December - April
Currency THB - Thai Baht (฿) RON - Romanian Leu (L) THB - Thai Baht (฿) TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) EUR - Euro (€) COP - Colombian Peso ($) USD - US Dollar ($) PAB - Panamanian Balboa (B/.)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted almost everywhere Accepted sometimes. Cash preferred in many places. Accepted in most places Accepted everywhere Accepted in some places Accepted everywhere Accepted almost everywhere but not in smaller shops.
Remote worker visa No No No No Yes No No Yes
Average monthly costs $1560 $1351 $974 $659 $2498 $1293 $5431 $2359
Rent $616 $615 $274 $354 $1174 $732 $2891 $1036
Groceries $191 $114 $169 $44 $175 $87 $383 $236
Dining out $168 $165 $108 $81 $313 $131 $656 $371
Cafe $45 $38 $45 $18 $51 $18 $72 $43
Coworking space $127 $133 $95 $49 $196 $96 $326 $157
Mobile internet $23 $7 $11 $3 $10 $16 $45 $21
Public transportation $32 $21 $60 $6 $78 $21 $220 $12
Taxis $19 $9 $20 $6 $44 $14 $78 $48
Shared bicycles and scooters $17 $25 $10 $2 $49 $0 $30 $0
Sport and cultural events $46 $29 $8 $11 $54 $8 $100 $35
Museums and sights $21 $29 $8 $15 $20 $9 $74 $9
Nightlife $50 $45 $62 $22 $82 $73 $195 $117
Gym $96 $30 $41 $9 $44 $15 $55 $37
Yoga $98 $59 $55 $23 $142 $54 $197 $163
Massage $11 $31 $10 $15 $64 $20 $109 $75
SIM card options AIS Vodafone, Orange AIS, DTAC Turkcell, Turk Telekom Orange, Movistar, Vodafone Claro, Tigo AT&T, Verizon 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% at restaurants, not customary or expected elsewhere Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars Not customary or expected but small tips are appreciated. Tip 10% in restaurants 15-20% at restaurants, 1 USD per drink at bars 10% in restaurants, round up elsewhere
Taxi apps Grab Star Taxi, Uber Grab BiTaksi Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now EasyTaxi Uber, Lyft Uber, Tu Chofer
Tap water Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable 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. 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 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. A blend of indigenous and European traditions with rice, maize, cassava, assorted legumes, and meats American. Emphasis on comfort and fast food, with some good seafood dishes. Influence from other regions of the US, North America and the world make NYC a cosmopolitan and international cuisine hub that is incredibly diverse. 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 Khao soi, khan toke, sai oua, miang kham, nam prik, khanom jeen nam ngiaw, larb khua Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight Paella, tapas, tortilla, gazpacho, pulpo a la gallega, callos a la madrileña, churros Bandeja paisa, ajiaco, mondongo, empanada, and arepa Pizza, clam chowder, bagels, corned beef, pastrami, cheesecake, hot dogs, and hundred of other international food options. 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 Street food stalls, local markets, bakeries and smaller, traditional restaurants that serve fresh food 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! Street stalls for empanada and arepa with cheese, restaurants for traditional Colombian food Delis, local pizza shops, street food stalls and food trucks, food markets, local bakeries and smaller, authentic international cuisine restaurants Fondas (roadside stalls), smaller local restaurants, local markets, food trucks
Vegetarian / vegan options 416 listings on Happy Cow 33 listings on Happy Cow 90 options on HappyCow 59 listings on Happy Cow 85 listings on Happy Cow 153 listings on Happy Cow 309 options on HappyCow 7 options on HappyCow