Bangkok vs Cape Town vs Larnaca vs Medellin vs Playa del Carmen

Bangkok ๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ญ
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Cape Town ๐Ÿ‡ฟ๐Ÿ‡ฆ
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Larnaca ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡พ
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Medellin ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ด
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Playa del Carmen ๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ
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Population 5,680,000 4,617,560 144,900 2,427,000 259,453
Official language(s) Thai Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English Greek Spanish Spanish
Level of English Low Very high High Low Moderate
Main airport Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) Cape Town International Airport (CPT) Larnaca International Airport (LCA) Josรฉ Marรญa Cรณrdova International Airport (MDE) Cancun International Airport (CUN)
Most common months to visit January - March, November, December March - May, September - November March - May, October - December January - April, December January - May, October - December
Currency THB - Thai Baht (เธฟ) ZAR - South African Rand (R) EUR - Euro (โ‚ฌ) COP - Colombian Peso ($) MXN - Mexican Peso ($)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops Accepted everywhere Accepted in some places Accepted almost everywhere
Remote worker visa No No No No Yes
Average monthly costs $1560 $1549 $1959 $1293 $2143
Rent $616 $618 $678 $732 $923
Groceries $191 $129 $157 $87 $127
Dining out $168 $269 $261 $131 $207
Cafe $45 $32 $56 $18 $42
Coworking space $127 $151 $209 $96 $160
Mobile internet $23 $27 $35 $16 $21
Public transportation $32 $55 $63 $21 $17
Taxis $19 $21 $42 $14 $9
Shared bicycles and scooters $17 $49 $45 $0 $49
Sport and cultural events $46 $19 $28 $8 $97
Museums and sights $21 $15 $8 $9 $217
Nightlife $50 $43 $110 $73 $77
Gym $96 $36 $107 $15 $42
Yoga $98 $56 $105 $54 $54
Massage $11 $30 $54 $20 $101
SIM card options AIS MTN, Vodacom Primetel, Cytamobile-Vodafone and Epic/MTN Claro, Tigo Telcel, Movistar
Tipping 10% for restaurants, bars and services 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere 10% usually added and expected at restaurants, round up at bars Tip 10% in restaurants 10-15% for restaurants
Taxi apps Grab Uber, Bolt nTaxi EasyTaxi N/A
Tap water 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. Mediterranean style with emphasis on seafood, meats, olives, cheesed and traditional sauces. Some food with Middle Eastern influences as well.. A blend of indigenous and European traditions with rice, maize, cassava, assorted legumes, and meats 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 Souvlaki, sheftalia, kleftiko, stifado, halloumi, koukepia and moussaka Bandeja paisa, ajiaco, mondongo, empanada, and arepa 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 Opt for smaller, outside eateries and taverns serving traditional foods. Fast food kebab shops and falafel bars offer authentic options, too. Street stalls for empanada and arepa with cheese, restaurants for traditional Colombian food Taco stands, esquite stalls, El Fogon, El Pirata, Dona Mary's
Vegetarian / vegan options 416 listings on Happy Cow 24 options on HappyCow 14 options on HappyCow, but non-meat Mediterranean/Middle Eastern options are always available 153 listings on Happy Cow 72 listings on Happy Cow