Bangkok vs Bucharest vs Istanbul vs Medellin vs Panama City

Bangkok 🇹🇭
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Bucharest 🇷🇴
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Medellin 🇨🇴
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Panama City 🇵🇦
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Population 5,680,000 1,830,000 15,520,000 2,427,000 880,691
Official language(s) Thai Romanian Turkish Spanish Spanish
Level of English Low High Low Low Low
Main airport Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP) Istanbul Airport (IST) José María Córdova International Airport (MDE) Tocumen International Airport (PTY)
Most common months to visit January - March, November, December April - October April - June, September and October January - April, December December - April
Currency THB - Thai Baht (฿) RON - Romanian Leu (L) TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) COP - Colombian Peso ($) PAB - Panamanian Balboa (B/.)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted almost everywhere Accepted in most places Accepted in some places Accepted almost everywhere but not in smaller shops.
Remote worker visa No No No No Yes
Average monthly costs $1560 $1351 $659 $1293 $2359
Rent $616 $615 $354 $732 $1036
Groceries $191 $114 $44 $87 $236
Dining out $168 $165 $81 $131 $371
Cafe $45 $38 $18 $18 $43
Coworking space $127 $133 $49 $96 $157
Mobile internet $23 $7 $3 $16 $21
Public transportation $32 $21 $6 $21 $12
Taxis $19 $9 $6 $14 $48
Shared bicycles and scooters $17 $25 $2 $0 $0
Sport and cultural events $46 $29 $11 $8 $35
Museums and sights $21 $29 $15 $9 $9
Nightlife $50 $45 $22 $73 $117
Gym $96 $30 $9 $15 $37
Yoga $98 $59 $23 $54 $163
Massage $11 $31 $15 $20 $75
SIM card options AIS Vodafone, Orange Turkcell, Turk Telekom Claro, Tigo 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 Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars Tip 10% in restaurants 10% in restaurants, round up elsewhere
Taxi apps Grab Star Taxi, Uber BiTaksi EasyTaxi Uber, Tu Chofer
Tap water Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not 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. A fusion of cultures creates diverse dishes with bulgur, koftes, stews, eggplants and fish 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 Sarmale, mămăligă, mici, ciolan cu fasole, ciorbă de burtă, covrig, papanasi Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight 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 Set lunch menus, cafe terraces, cofeterias Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee 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 33 listings on Happy Cow 59 listings on Happy Cow 153 listings on Happy Cow 7 options on HappyCow