Bangkok vs Cape Town vs Istanbul vs Larnaca vs Panama City vs Playa del Carmen

Bangkok ๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ญ
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Cape Town ๐Ÿ‡ฟ๐Ÿ‡ฆ
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Istanbul ๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท
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Larnaca ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡พ
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Panama City ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฆ
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Playa del Carmen ๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ
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Population 5,680,000 4,617,560 15,520,000 144,900 880,691 259,453
Official language(s) Thai Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English Turkish Greek Spanish Spanish
Level of English Low Very high Low High Low Moderate
Main airport Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) Cape Town International Airport (CPT) Istanbul Airport (IST) Larnaca International Airport (LCA) Tocumen International Airport (PTY) Cancun International Airport (CUN)
Most common months to visit January - March, November, December March - May, September - November April - June, September and October March - May, October - December December - April January - May, October - December
Currency THB - Thai Baht (เธฟ) ZAR - South African Rand (R) TRY - Turkish Lira (โ‚บ) EUR - Euro (โ‚ฌ) PAB - Panamanian Balboa (B/.) MXN - Mexican Peso ($)
Credit cards 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. Accepted almost everywhere
Remote worker visa No No No No Yes Yes
Average monthly costs $1560 $1549 $659 $1959 $2359 $2143
Rent $616 $618 $354 $678 $1036 $923
Groceries $191 $129 $44 $157 $236 $127
Dining out $168 $269 $81 $261 $371 $207
Cafe $45 $32 $18 $56 $43 $42
Coworking space $127 $151 $49 $209 $157 $160
Mobile internet $23 $27 $3 $35 $21 $21
Public transportation $32 $55 $6 $63 $12 $17
Taxis $19 $21 $6 $42 $48 $9
Shared bicycles and scooters $17 $49 $2 $45 $0 $49
Sport and cultural events $46 $19 $11 $28 $35 $97
Museums and sights $21 $15 $15 $8 $9 $217
Nightlife $50 $43 $22 $110 $117 $77
Gym $96 $36 $9 $107 $37 $42
Yoga $98 $56 $23 $105 $163 $54
Massage $11 $30 $15 $54 $75 $101
SIM card options AIS MTN, Vodacom Turkcell, Turk Telekom Primetel, Cytamobile-Vodafone and Epic/MTN Claro, Movistar Telcel, Movistar
Tipping 10% for restaurants, bars and services 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafรฉs and bars 10% usually added and expected at restaurants, round up at bars 10% in restaurants, round up elsewhere 10-15% for restaurants
Taxi apps Grab Uber, Bolt BiTaksi nTaxi Uber, Tu Chofer N/A
Tap water Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable
Overall cuisine 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. A fusion of cultures creates diverse dishes with bulgur, koftes, stews, eggplants and fish Mediterranean style with emphasis on seafood, meats, olives, cheesed and traditional sauces. Some food with Middle Eastern influences as well.. 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 Pad thai, tom yam, kway teow reua, som tum, sooan Bitlong and droewors, boerewors, Cape Malay curry, bobotie, melkert, gatsby, bunny chow Dรถner, ฤฐรงli Kรถfte, Dondurma, Karnฤฑyarฤฑk, Turkish delight Souvlaki, sheftalia, kleftiko, stifado, halloumi, koukepia and moussaka Sancocho de gallina, carimanola, empanadas, tamales panameรฑos, tostones, ropa vieja Chilaquiles, tacos al pastor, chile rellenos, cochinita pibil, tostadas, pozole
Eat like a local Food stalls, local markets, shophouse restaurants 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 Opt for smaller, outside eateries and taverns serving traditional foods. Fast food kebab shops and falafel bars offer authentic options, too. Fondas (roadside stalls), smaller local restaurants, local markets, food trucks Taco stands, esquite stalls, El Fogon, El Pirata, Dona Mary's
Vegetarian / vegan options 416 listings on Happy Cow 24 options on HappyCow 59 listings on Happy Cow 14 options on HappyCow, but non-meat Mediterranean/Middle Eastern options are always available 7 options on HappyCow 72 listings on Happy Cow