Bangkok vs Istanbul vs Medellin vs Mexico City vs Playa del Carmen

Bangkok ๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ญ
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Istanbul ๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท
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Medellin ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ด
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Mexico City ๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ
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Playa del Carmen ๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ
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Population 5,680,000 15,520,000 2,427,000 8,850,000 259,453
Official language(s) Thai Turkish Spanish Spanish Spanish
Level of English Low Low Low Moderate Moderate
Main airport Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) Istanbul Airport (IST) Josรฉ Marรญa Cรณrdova International Airport (MDE) Mexico City International Airport (MEX) Cancun International Airport (CUN)
Most common months to visit January - March, November, December April - June, September and October January - April, December March - May, October, November January - May, October - December
Currency THB - Thai Baht (เธฟ) TRY - Turkish Lira (โ‚บ) COP - Colombian Peso ($) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) MXN - Mexican Peso ($)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted in most places Accepted in some places Widely accepted (less with AMEX) Accepted almost everywhere
Remote worker visa No No No Yes Yes
Average monthly costs $1560 $659 $1293 $1867 $2143
Rent $616 $354 $732 $778 $923
Groceries $191 $44 $87 $281 $127
Dining out $168 $81 $131 $182 $207
Cafe $45 $18 $18 $49 $42
Coworking space $127 $49 $96 $159 $160
Mobile internet $23 $3 $16 $25 $21
Public transportation $32 $6 $21 $11 $17
Taxis $19 $6 $14 $9 $9
Shared bicycles and scooters $17 $2 $0 $24 $49
Sport and cultural events $46 $11 $8 $81 $97
Museums and sights $21 $15 $9 $20 $217
Nightlife $50 $22 $73 $64 $77
Gym $96 $9 $15 $69 $42
Yoga $98 $23 $54 $65 $54
Massage $11 $15 $20 $51 $101
SIM card options AIS Turkcell, Turk Telekom Claro, Tigo Telcel, Movistar Telcel, Movistar
Tipping 10% for restaurants, bars and services Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafรฉs and bars Tip 10% in restaurants 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services 10-15% for restaurants
Taxi apps Grab BiTaksi EasyTaxi Uber N/A
Tap water Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable
Overall cuisine Meat and fish dishes, vegetables, noodles and soup A fusion of cultures creates diverse dishes with bulgur, koftes, stews, eggplants and fish A blend of indigenous and European traditions with rice, maize, cassava, assorted legumes, and meats 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 Dรถner, ฤฐรงli Kรถfte, Dondurma, Karnฤฑyarฤฑk, Turkish delight Bandeja paisa, ajiaco, mondongo, empanada, and arepa 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 Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee Street stalls for empanada and arepa with cheese, restaurants for traditional Colombian food 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 59 listings on Happy Cow 153 listings on Happy Cow 279 listings on Happy Cow 72 listings on Happy Cow