Bangkok vs Cape Town vs Istanbul vs Playa del Carmen vs Prague

Bangkok 🇹🇭
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Cape Town 🇿🇦
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Playa del Carmen 🇲🇽
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Prague 🇨🇿
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Population 5,680,000 4,617,560 15,520,000 259,453 1,305,737
Official language(s) Thai Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English Turkish Spanish Czech
Level of English Low Very high Low Moderate High
Main airport Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) Cape Town International Airport (CPT) Istanbul Airport (IST) Cancun International Airport (CUN) Václav Havel Airport Prague (PRG)
Most common months to visit January - March, November, December March - May, September - November April - June, September and October January - May, October - December June - October
Currency THB - Thai Baht (฿) ZAR - South African Rand (R) TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) CZK - Czech Koruna (Kč)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops Accepted in most places Accepted almost everywhere Accepted most places (some places are cash only)
Remote worker visa No No No Yes Yes
Average monthly costs $1560 $1549 $659 $2143 $1806
Rent $616 $618 $354 $923 $780
Groceries $191 $129 $44 $127 $158
Dining out $168 $269 $81 $207 $240
Cafe $45 $32 $18 $42 $53
Coworking space $127 $151 $49 $160 $175
Mobile internet $23 $27 $3 $21 $24
Public transportation $32 $55 $6 $17 $61
Taxis $19 $21 $6 $9 $33
Shared bicycles and scooters $17 $49 $2 $49 $19
Sport and cultural events $46 $19 $11 $97 $19
Museums and sights $21 $15 $15 $217 $35
Nightlife $50 $43 $22 $77 $50
Gym $96 $36 $9 $42 $56
Yoga $98 $56 $23 $54 $66
Massage $11 $30 $15 $101 $37
SIM card options AIS MTN, Vodacom Turkcell, Turk Telekom Telcel, Movistar Vodafone, T-Mobile
Tipping 10% for restaurants, bars and services 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars 10-15% for restaurants 10% at restaurants and bars, round up elsewhere
Taxi apps Grab Uber, Bolt BiTaksi N/A Uber, Liftago
Tap water Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable 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 sautéed 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 Staple dishes from maize, beans, sweet potato and avocado along with meat, chili peppers and other spices 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!
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 Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight Chilaquiles, tacos al pastor, chile rellenos, cochinita pibil, tostadas, pozole Vepřo knedlo zelo, Česnečka, Guláš, Svíčková na smetaně, Ovocné Knedlíky.
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 Taco stands, esquite stalls, El Fogon, El Pirata, Dona Mary's Pubs and taverns, street food stalls, local cafés
Vegetarian / vegan options 416 listings on Happy Cow 24 options on HappyCow 59 listings on Happy Cow 72 listings on Happy Cow 112 options on HappyCow