Bangkok vs Cape Town vs Mexico City vs Playa del Carmen vs Seoul

Bangkok ๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ญ
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Cape Town ๐Ÿ‡ฟ๐Ÿ‡ฆ
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Mexico City ๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ
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Playa del Carmen ๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ
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Seoul ๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท
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Population 5,680,000 4,617,560 8,850,000 259,453 9,963,452
Official language(s) Thai Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English Spanish Spanish Korean
Level of English Low Very high Moderate Moderate Moderate
Main airport Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) Cape Town International Airport (CPT) Mexico City International Airport (MEX) Cancun International Airport (CUN) Incheon International Airport (ICN)
Most common months to visit January - March, November, December March - May, September - November March - May, October, November January - May, October - December March - May, September - November
Currency THB - Thai Baht (เธฟ) ZAR - South African Rand (R) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) KRW - South Korean won (โ‚ฉ)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops Widely accepted (less with AMEX) Accepted almost everywhere Accepted everywhere
Remote worker visa No No Yes Yes No
Average monthly costs $1560 $1549 $1867 $2143 $2184
Rent $616 $618 $778 $923 $797
Groceries $191 $129 $281 $127 $356
Dining out $168 $269 $182 $207 $211
Cafe $45 $32 $49 $42 $69
Coworking space $127 $151 $159 $160 $222
Mobile internet $23 $27 $25 $21 $40
Public transportation $32 $55 $11 $17 $40
Taxis $19 $21 $9 $9 $41
Shared bicycles and scooters $17 $49 $24 $49 $13
Sport and cultural events $46 $19 $81 $97 $39
Museums and sights $21 $15 $20 $217 $6
Nightlife $50 $43 $64 $77 $93
Gym $96 $36 $69 $42 $69
Yoga $98 $56 $65 $54 $112
Massage $11 $30 $51 $101 $75
SIM card options AIS MTN, Vodacom Telcel, Movistar Telcel, Movistar KT, SK Telecom, LG Uplus
Tipping 10% for restaurants, bars and services 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services 10-15% for restaurants Not customary or expected
Taxi apps Grab Uber, Bolt Uber N/A Uber, Kakao
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 sautรฉed vegetables and dry-cured meats. Creamy desserts and liqueurs compliment large and flavorful meals. 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 Emphasis on rice, vegetables, spices and meats. Main dishes are coupled with diverse side dishes and desserts. Strong driking culture.
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 Enchiladas, torta de chilaquiles, esquites, quesadillas, tlacoyos, tacos, tostadas Chilaquiles, tacos al pastor, chile rellenos, cochinita pibil, tostadas, pozole Kimchi, bulgogi, chap chae, mandu, sam gae tang, bossam
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 Markets, food stalls, menรบ del dรญa (cheap set lunch menus) Taco stands, esquite stalls, El Fogon, El Pirata, Dona Mary's Smaller, local eateries (sikdang), street stalls and local markets
Vegetarian / vegan options 416 listings on Happy Cow 24 options on HappyCow 279 listings on Happy Cow 72 listings on Happy Cow 57 options on Happy Cow