Bangkok vs Buenos Aires vs Chiang Mai vs Istanbul vs Playa del Carmen vs Porto vs Prague vs Rio de Janeiro vs Seoul

Bangkok 🇹🇭
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Buenos Aires 🇦🇷
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Chiang Mai 🇹🇭
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Playa del Carmen 🇲🇽
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Porto 🇵🇹
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Prague 🇨🇿
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Rio de Janeiro 🇧🇷
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Seoul 🇰🇷
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Population 5,680,000 2,900,000 1,166,978 15,520,000 259,453 237,559 1,305,737 6,718,903 9,963,452
Official language(s) Thai Spanish Thai Turkish Spanish Portuguese Czech Portuguese Korean
Level of English Low High Low Low Moderate Very High High Low Moderate
Main airport Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE) Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) Istanbul Airport (IST) Cancun International Airport (CUN) Francisco Sá Carneiro International Airport (OPO) Václav Havel Airport Prague (PRG) Galeão International Airport Incheon International Airport (ICN)
Most common months to visit January - March, November, December September - December November - April April - June, September and October January - May, October - December May - September June - October January - March, December March - May, September - November
Currency THB - Thai Baht (฿) ARS - Argentine Peso ($) THB - Thai Baht (฿) TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) EUR - Euro (€) CZK - Czech Koruna (Kč) BRL - Brazilian Real (R$) KRW - South Korean won (₩)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted everywhere. (ID required!) Accepted sometimes. Cash preferred in many places. Accepted in most places Accepted almost everywhere Accepted everywhere Accepted most places (some places are cash only) Accepted everywhere Accepted everywhere
Remote worker visa No No No No Yes Yes Yes No No
Average monthly costs $1560 $1321 $974 $659 $2143 $1759 $1806 $1833 $2184
Rent $616 $844 $274 $354 $923 $717 $780 $1066 $797
Groceries $191 $98 $169 $44 $127 $148 $158 $95 $356
Dining out $168 $121 $108 $81 $207 $280 $240 $210 $211
Cafe $45 $25 $45 $18 $42 $45 $53 $25 $69
Coworking space $127 $95 $95 $49 $160 $96 $175 $130 $222
Mobile internet $23 $11 $11 $3 $21 $21 $24 $7 $40
Public transportation $32 $9 $60 $6 $17 $95 $61 $33 $40
Taxis $19 $9 $20 $6 $9 $25 $33 $14 $41
Shared bicycles and scooters $17 $14 $10 $2 $49 $10 $19 $16 $13
Sport and cultural events $46 $24 $8 $11 $97 $45 $19 $55 $39
Museums and sights $21 $4 $8 $15 $217 $24 $35 $26 $6
Nightlife $50 $23 $62 $22 $77 $66 $50 $54 $93
Gym $96 $14 $41 $9 $42 $56 $56 $31 $69
Yoga $98 $19 $55 $23 $54 $82 $66 $40 $112
Massage $11 $10 $10 $15 $101 $48 $37 $32 $75
SIM card options AIS Movistar, Claro, Personal AIS, DTAC Turkcell, Turk Telekom Telcel, Movistar Vodafone, MEO, NOS Vodafone, T-Mobile Tim, Claro, Vivo KT, SK Telecom, LG Uplus
Tipping 10% for restaurants, bars and services 10% at restaurants and cafés is common, not common at bars 10% at restaurants, not customary or expected elsewhere Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars 10-15% for restaurants 5-10% at restaurants if happy with service, not expected at cafes or bars 10% at restaurants and bars, round up elsewhere 10% usually included in restaurants, 10% at bars and cafes with table service is common Not customary or expected
Taxi apps Grab Uber (not official), Cabify, BA Taxi (Spanish only) Grab BiTaksi N/A Uber, MyTaxi, Cabify Uber, Liftago Easy Taxi, 99 Taxi, Uber Uber, Kakao
Tap water Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Drinkable Drinkable Not drinkable Drinkable
Overall cuisine Meat and fish dishes, vegetables, noodles and soup Argentinian style with an emphasis on red meats, pastries, and Italian-inspired options 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 Staple dishes from maize, beans, sweet potato and avocado along with meat, chili peppers and other spices A variety of meats often mixed with fresh legumes and vegetables. Emphasis on rich seafood dishes and creamy desserts. Thick soups are often combined with stewed vegetables and baked meats to produce rich dishes. Gravies and creams are popular in Czech cuisine, as is beer! Emphasis on rice, beans, pork and beef with a variety of root vegetables and fresh fruits. Fresh seafood is also very common. Emphasis on rice, vegetables, spices and meats. Main dishes are coupled with diverse side dishes and desserts. Strong driking culture.
Local food specialities Pad thai, tom yam, kway teow reua, som tum, sooan Asado, empanadas (Argentinian style), locro, milanesa napolitana, facturas and alfajores Khao soi, khan toke, sai oua, miang kham, nam prik, khanom jeen nam ngiaw, larb khua Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight Chilaquiles, tacos al pastor, chile rellenos, cochinita pibil, tostadas, pozole Bacalhau, Alheira de Mirandela, Francesinha, queido da serra da estrela, tripas a moda do Oporto, pasteis de chaves, tarte de amendoa Vepřo knedlo zelo, Česnečka, Guláš, Svíčková na smetaně, Ovocné Knedlíky. Feijoada, bolinho de bacalhau, fried sardines, caldo verde, pao de queijo and brigadeiros. Kimchi, bulgogi, chap chae, mandu, sam gae tang, bossam
Eat like a local Food stalls, local markets, shophouse restaurants Local restaurants serving asados grill-to-dish (Parrillas), markets (San Telmo, Recoleta) and local cafés for maté and facturas 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 Taco stands, esquite stalls, El Fogon, El Pirata, Dona Mary's Local taverns, terraces, markets, tascas, churrascarias and local sports bars Pubs and taverns, street food stalls, local cafés The "snack capital" of Brazil, Rio is a perfect place to try street food as well as the wide varieties of small, traditional eateries and churrascarias easily found across the city. Smaller, local eateries (sikdang), street stalls and local markets
Vegetarian / vegan options 416 listings on Happy Cow 79 options on Happy Cow 90 options on HappyCow 59 listings on Happy Cow 72 listings on Happy Cow 46 options on Happy Cow 112 options on HappyCow 54 options on Happy Cow 57 options on Happy Cow