Austin vs Bangkok vs Cape Town vs Chiang Mai vs Panama City vs Playa del Carmen

Austin ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ
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Bangkok ๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ญ
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Cape Town ๐Ÿ‡ฟ๐Ÿ‡ฆ
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Chiang Mai ๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ญ
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Panama City ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฆ
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Playa del Carmen ๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ
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Population 926,426 5,680,000 4,617,560 1,166,978 880,691 259,453
Official language(s) English (de facto) Thai Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English Thai Spanish Spanish
Level of English Very high Low Very high Low Low Moderate
Main airport Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) Cape Town International Airport (CPT) Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) Tocumen International Airport (PTY) Cancun International Airport (CUN)
Most common months to visit March - May, September - November January - March, November, December March - May, September - November November - April December - April January - May, October - December
Currency USD - US Dollar ($) THB - Thai Baht (เธฟ) ZAR - South African Rand (R) THB - Thai Baht (เธฟ) PAB - Panamanian Balboa (B/.) MXN - Mexican Peso ($)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted almost everywhere Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops Accepted sometimes. Cash preferred in many places. Accepted almost everywhere but not in smaller shops. Accepted almost everywhere
Remote worker visa No No No No Yes Yes
Average monthly costs $3484 $1560 $1549 $974 $2359 $2143
Rent $1650 $616 $618 $274 $1036 $923
Groceries $243 $191 $129 $169 $236 $127
Dining out $396 $168 $269 $108 $371 $207
Cafe $66 $45 $32 $45 $43 $42
Coworking space $331 $127 $151 $95 $157 $160
Mobile internet $40 $23 $27 $11 $21 $21
Public transportation $110 $32 $55 $60 $12 $17
Taxis $73 $19 $21 $20 $48 $9
Shared bicycles and scooters $96 $17 $49 $10 $0 $49
Sport and cultural events $54 $46 $19 $8 $35 $97
Museums and sights $11 $21 $15 $8 $9 $217
Nightlife $124 $50 $43 $62 $117 $77
Gym $62 $96 $36 $41 $37 $42
Yoga $139 $98 $56 $55 $163 $54
Massage $89 $11 $30 $10 $75 $101
SIM card options AT&T, T-Mobile. AIS MTN, Vodacom AIS, DTAC Claro, Movistar Telcel, Movistar
Tipping 15-20% at restaurants, 1USD or more per drink at cafes and bars 10% for restaurants, bars and services 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere 10% at restaurants, not customary or expected elsewhere 10% in restaurants, round up elsewhere 10-15% for restaurants
Taxi apps Uber, Lyft Grab Uber, Bolt Grab Uber, Tu Chofer N/A
Tap water Drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable
Overall cuisine Emphasis on barbecued meats (beef and pork) as well as corn-based dishes and tex-mex, and rich American-style desserts. Meat and fish dishes, vegetables, noodles and soup 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. 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. 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. Staple dishes from maize, beans, sweet potato and avocado along with meat, chili peppers and other spices
Local food specialities Frito pie, queso, apple pie, kolaches, BBQ ribs, tacos Pad thai, tom yam, kway teow reua, som tum, sooan Bitlong and droewors, boerewors, Cape Malay curry, bobotie, melkert, gatsby, bunny chow Khao soi, khan toke, sai oua, miang kham, nam prik, khanom jeen nam ngiaw, larb khua Sancocho de gallina, carimanola, empanadas, tamales panameรฑos, tostones, ropa vieja Chilaquiles, tacos al pastor, chile rellenos, cochinita pibil, tostadas, pozole
Eat like a local Local tex-mex restaurants, lunch BBQ joints, taquerias, food trucks, local breweries Food stalls, local markets, shophouse restaurants Cape Malay shacks, food trucks, street food joints, local grills, small bakeries and food markets Street food stalls, local markets, bakeries and smaller, traditional restaurants that serve fresh food Fondas (roadside stalls), smaller local restaurants, local markets, food trucks Taco stands, esquite stalls, El Fogon, El Pirata, Dona Mary's
Vegetarian / vegan options 30 options on HappyCow 416 listings on Happy Cow 24 options on HappyCow 90 options on HappyCow 7 options on HappyCow 72 listings on Happy Cow