Bangkok vs Chiang Mai vs Panama City vs Playa del Carmen

Bangkok ๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ญ
Remove
Chiang Mai ๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ญ
Remove
Panama City ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฆ
Remove
Playa del Carmen ๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ
Remove
Population 5,680,000 1,166,978 880,691 259,453
Official language(s) Thai Thai Spanish Spanish
Level of English Low Low Low Moderate
Main airport Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) Tocumen International Airport (PTY) Cancun International Airport (CUN)
Most common months to visit January - March, November, December November - April December - April January - May, October - December
Currency THB - Thai Baht (เธฟ) THB - Thai Baht (เธฟ) PAB - Panamanian Balboa (B/.) MXN - Mexican Peso ($)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted sometimes. Cash preferred in many places. Accepted almost everywhere but not in smaller shops. Accepted almost everywhere
Remote worker visa No No Yes Yes
Average monthly costs $1560 $974 $2359 $2143
Rent $616 $274 $1036 $923
Groceries $191 $169 $236 $127
Dining out $168 $108 $371 $207
Cafe $45 $45 $43 $42
Coworking space $127 $95 $157 $160
Mobile internet $23 $11 $21 $21
Public transportation $32 $60 $12 $17
Taxis $19 $20 $48 $9
Shared bicycles and scooters $17 $10 $0 $49
Sport and cultural events $46 $8 $35 $97
Museums and sights $21 $8 $9 $217
Nightlife $50 $62 $117 $77
Gym $96 $41 $37 $42
Yoga $98 $55 $163 $54
Massage $11 $10 $75 $101
SIM card options AIS AIS, DTAC Claro, Movistar Telcel, Movistar
Tipping 10% for restaurants, bars and services 10% at restaurants, not customary or expected elsewhere 10% in restaurants, round up elsewhere 10-15% for restaurants
Taxi apps Grab Grab Uber, Tu Chofer N/A
Tap water Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable
Overall cuisine Meat and fish dishes, vegetables, noodles and soup Combines salty, sweet, spicy and sour flavors to create bold and colorful dishes. Meals typically include a mixture of meat and seafood dishes, as well as noodles or soups recipes. Strong emphasis on local spices and vegetables. Latin American. Emphasis on rice, beans, coconut, and local fruits and vegetables. Pork and beef are regularly used and influence from the islands gives seafood dishes a prominent spot in Panamanian cuisine. 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 Khao soi, khan toke, sai oua, miang kham, nam prik, khanom jeen nam ngiaw, larb khua Sancocho de gallina, carimanola, empanadas, tamales panameรฑos, tostones, ropa vieja Chilaquiles, tacos al pastor, chile rellenos, cochinita pibil, tostadas, pozole
Eat like a local Food stalls, local markets, shophouse restaurants Street food stalls, local markets, bakeries and smaller, traditional restaurants that serve fresh food Fondas (roadside stalls), smaller local restaurants, local markets, food trucks Taco stands, esquite stalls, El Fogon, El Pirata, Dona Mary's
Vegetarian / vegan options 416 listings on Happy Cow 90 options on HappyCow 7 options on HappyCow 72 listings on Happy Cow