Bangkok ๐น๐ญ
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Barcelona ๐ช๐ธ
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Cape Town ๐ฟ๐ฆ
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Madrid ๐ช๐ธ
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New York City ๐บ๐ธ
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Population | 5,680,000 | 5,585,556 | 4,617,560 | 6,578,0179 | 8,323,340 |
Official language(s) | Thai | Catalan, Spanish | Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English | Spanish | English (de facto) |
Level of English | Low | High | Very high | Moderate | Very high |
Main airport | Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) | Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) | Cape Town International Airport (CPT) | Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) | John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) |
Most common months to visit | January - March, November, December | April - June, September - November | March - May, September - November | March - May, September - November | April - June, September - November |
Currency | THB - Thai Baht (เธฟ) | EUR - Euro (โฌ) | ZAR - South African Rand (R) | EUR - Euro (โฌ) | USD - US Dollar ($) |
Credit cards | Accepted almost everywhere | Accepted almost evewhere | Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops | Accepted everywhere | Accepted everywhere |
Remote worker visa | No | Yes | No | Yes | No |
Average monthly costs | $1560 | $2384 | $1549 | $2498 | $5431 |
Rent | $616 | $932 | $618 | $1174 | $2891 |
Groceries | $191 | $121 | $129 | $175 | $383 |
Dining out | $168 | $403 | $269 | $313 | $656 |
Cafe | $45 | $45 | $32 | $51 | $72 |
Coworking space | $127 | $213 | $151 | $196 | $326 |
Mobile internet | $23 | $10 | $27 | $10 | $45 |
Public transportation | $32 | $127 | $55 | $78 | $220 |
Taxis | $19 | $48 | $21 | $44 | $78 |
Shared bicycles and scooters | $17 | $24 | $49 | $49 | $30 |
Sport and cultural events | $46 | $81 | $19 | $54 | $100 |
Museums and sights | $21 | $33 | $15 | $20 | $74 |
Nightlife | $50 | $112 | $43 | $82 | $195 |
Gym | $96 | $81 | $36 | $44 | $55 |
Yoga | $98 | $93 | $56 | $142 | $197 |
Massage | $11 | $59 | $30 | $64 | $109 |
SIM card options | AIS | Vodafone, Movistar | MTN, Vodacom | Orange, Movistar, Vodafone | AT&T, Verizon |
Tipping | 10% for restaurants, bars and services | 5-10% in restaurants if service is exceptional, not expected elsewhere | 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere | Not customary or expected but small tips are appreciated. | 15-20% at restaurants, 1 USD per drink at bars |
Taxi apps | Grab | Cabify, FreeNow | Uber, Bolt | Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now | Uber, Lyft |
Tap water | Not drinkable | Drinkable | Not drinkable | Drinkable | Drinkable |
Overall cuisine | Meat and fish dishes, vegetables, noodles and soup | Catalan cuisine makes extensive use of Mediterranean vegetables, legumes mixed with pork in its many varieties, chicken and fish. Regularly mixes sweet and savory flavors in specific dishes. This cuisine is known for being bold in flavor and striking in color, with a variety of specific regional dishes found the culinary hub that is Barcelona. | 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. | Fresh, regional produce accentuated with garlic and olive oil and mixed with various meats and seafoods. Influenced both by Mediterranean and Middle-Eastern flavors. | American. Emphasis on comfort and fast food, with some good seafood dishes. Influence from other regions of the US, North America and the world make NYC a cosmopolitan and international cuisine hub that is incredibly diverse. |
Local food specialities | Pad thai, tom yam, kway teow reua, som tum, sooan | Paella, bombas, esqueixada, pa amb tomรกquet, escalivada, crema Catalana, gazpacho, chorizo | Bitlong and droewors, boerewors, Cape Malay curry, bobotie, melkert, gatsby, bunny chow | Paella, tapas, tortilla, gazpacho, pulpo a la gallega, callos a la madrileรฑa, churros | Pizza, clam chowder, bagels, corned beef, pastrami, cheesecake, hot dogs, and hundred of other international food options. |
Eat like a local | Food stalls, local markets, shophouse restaurants | Taverns, tapas bars, local markets, bodegas and street food spots | Cape Malay shacks, food trucks, street food joints, local grills, small bakeries and food markets | Have some tapas and sangria at a tasca and paella at an authentic eatery. Keep an eye on the time and visit a cafeteria for a mid-afternoon merienda and some churros! | Delis, local pizza shops, street food stalls and food trucks, food markets, local bakeries and smaller, authentic international cuisine restaurants |
Vegetarian / vegan options | 416 listings on Happy Cow | 98 options on HappyCow | 24 options on HappyCow | 85 listings on Happy Cow | 309 options on HappyCow |