Bangkok ๐น๐ญ
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Bogota ๐จ๐ด
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Cape Town ๐ฟ๐ฆ
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Larnaca ๐จ๐พ
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Mexico City ๐ฒ๐ฝ
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Playa del Carmen ๐ฒ๐ฝ
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Population | 5,680,000 | 10,978,360 | 4,617,560 | 144,900 | 8,850,000 | 259,453 |
Official language(s) | Thai | Spanish | Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English | Greek | Spanish | Spanish |
Level of English | Low | Low | Very high | High | Moderate | Moderate |
Main airport | Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) | El Dorado International Airport (BOG) | Cape Town International Airport (CPT) | Larnaca International Airport (LCA) | Mexico City International Airport (MEX) | Cancun International Airport (CUN) |
Most common months to visit | January - March, November, December | January - March, December | March - May, September - November | March - May, October - December | March - May, October, November | January - May, October - December |
Currency | THB - Thai Baht (เธฟ) | COP - Colombian Peso ($) | ZAR - South African Rand (R) | EUR - Euro (โฌ) | MXN - Mexican Peso ($) | MXN - Mexican Peso ($) |
Credit cards | Accepted almost everywhere | Accepted everywhere | Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops | Accepted everywhere | Widely accepted (less with AMEX) | Accepted almost everywhere |
Remote worker visa | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
Average monthly costs | $1560 | $1097 | $1549 | $1959 | $1867 | $2143 |
Rent | $616 | $480 | $618 | $678 | $778 | $923 |
Groceries | $191 | $82 | $129 | $157 | $281 | $127 |
Dining out | $168 | $174 | $269 | $261 | $182 | $207 |
Cafe | $45 | $22 | $32 | $56 | $49 | $42 |
Coworking space | $127 | $77 | $151 | $209 | $159 | $160 |
Mobile internet | $23 | $11 | $27 | $35 | $25 | $21 |
Public transportation | $32 | $23 | $55 | $63 | $11 | $17 |
Taxis | $19 | $28 | $21 | $42 | $9 | $9 |
Shared bicycles and scooters | $17 | $17 | $49 | $45 | $24 | $49 |
Sport and cultural events | $46 | $22 | $19 | $28 | $81 | $97 |
Museums and sights | $21 | $7 | $15 | $8 | $20 | $217 |
Nightlife | $50 | $46 | $43 | $110 | $64 | $77 |
Gym | $96 | $15 | $36 | $107 | $69 | $42 |
Yoga | $98 | $57 | $56 | $105 | $65 | $54 |
Massage | $11 | $37 | $30 | $54 | $51 | $101 |
SIM card options | AIS | Tigo, Movistar, Claro | MTN, Vodacom | Primetel, Cytamobile-Vodafone and Epic/MTN | Telcel, Movistar | Telcel, Movistar |
Tipping | 10% for restaurants, bars and services | 10% service included in all bills, not required or expected at bars without table service | 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere | 10% usually added and expected at restaurants, round up at bars | 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services | 10-15% for restaurants |
Taxi apps | Grab | Uber, Cabify | Uber, Bolt | nTaxi | Uber | 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 | Latin American. Dishes with beef, pork and chicken are often mixed with flour-based foods and fruity desserts. Heavy influence from the Andes and other Colombian regions. | 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. | Mediterranean style with emphasis on seafood, meats, olives, cheesed and traditional sauces. Some food with Middle Eastern influences as well.. | Corn, beans, tortillas and chili peppers typically alongside meat and cheese | 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 | Arepas, ajiaco santaferense, buรฑuelos, patacones, tรฉ de coca, changua | Bitlong and droewors, boerewors, Cape Malay curry, bobotie, melkert, gatsby, bunny chow | Souvlaki, sheftalia, kleftiko, stifado, halloumi, koukepia and moussaka | Enchiladas, torta de chilaquiles, esquites, quesadillas, tlacoyos, tacos, tostadas | Chilaquiles, tacos al pastor, chile rellenos, cochinita pibil, tostadas, pozole |
Eat like a local | Food stalls, local markets, shophouse restaurants | Local family restaurants and those from other regions. Menรบ del dรญa. Community markets and sports bars. | Cape Malay shacks, food trucks, street food joints, local grills, small bakeries and food markets | Opt for smaller, outside eateries and taverns serving traditional foods. Fast food kebab shops and falafel bars offer authentic options, too. | Markets, food stalls, menรบ del dรญa (cheap set lunch menus) | Taco stands, esquite stalls, El Fogon, El Pirata, Dona Mary's |
Vegetarian / vegan options | 416 listings on Happy Cow | 104 options on Happy Cow | 24 options on HappyCow | 14 options on HappyCow, but non-meat Mediterranean/Middle Eastern options are always available | 279 listings on Happy Cow | 72 listings on Happy Cow |