Bangkok vs Cape Town vs Istanbul vs Panama City vs Seoul

Bangkok ๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ญ
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Cape Town ๐Ÿ‡ฟ๐Ÿ‡ฆ
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Istanbul ๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท
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Panama City ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฆ
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Seoul ๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท
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Population 5,680,000 4,617,560 15,520,000 880,691 9,963,452
Official language(s) Thai Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English Turkish Spanish Korean
Level of English Low Very high Low Low Moderate
Main airport Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) Cape Town International Airport (CPT) Istanbul Airport (IST) Tocumen International Airport (PTY) Incheon International Airport (ICN)
Most common months to visit January - March, November, December March - May, September - November April - June, September and October December - April March - May, September - November
Currency THB - Thai Baht (เธฟ) ZAR - South African Rand (R) TRY - Turkish Lira (โ‚บ) PAB - Panamanian Balboa (B/.) KRW - South Korean won (โ‚ฉ)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops Accepted in most places Accepted almost everywhere but not in smaller shops. Accepted everywhere
Remote worker visa No No No Yes No
Average monthly costs $1560 $1549 $659 $2359 $2184
Rent $616 $618 $354 $1036 $797
Groceries $191 $129 $44 $236 $356
Dining out $168 $269 $81 $371 $211
Cafe $45 $32 $18 $43 $69
Coworking space $127 $151 $49 $157 $222
Mobile internet $23 $27 $3 $21 $40
Public transportation $32 $55 $6 $12 $40
Taxis $19 $21 $6 $48 $41
Shared bicycles and scooters $17 $49 $2 $0 $13
Sport and cultural events $46 $19 $11 $35 $39
Museums and sights $21 $15 $15 $9 $6
Nightlife $50 $43 $22 $117 $93
Gym $96 $36 $9 $37 $69
Yoga $98 $56 $23 $163 $112
Massage $11 $30 $15 $75 $75
SIM card options AIS MTN, Vodacom Turkcell, Turk Telekom Claro, Movistar KT, SK Telecom, LG Uplus
Tipping 10% for restaurants, bars and services 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafรฉs and bars 10% in restaurants, round up elsewhere Not customary or expected
Taxi apps Grab Uber, Bolt BiTaksi Uber, Tu Chofer 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. A fusion of cultures creates diverse dishes with bulgur, koftes, stews, eggplants and fish 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. 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 Dรถner, ฤฐรงli Kรถfte, Dondurma, Karnฤฑyarฤฑk, Turkish delight Sancocho de gallina, carimanola, empanadas, tamales panameรฑos, tostones, ropa vieja 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 Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee Fondas (roadside stalls), smaller local restaurants, local markets, food trucks Smaller, local eateries (sikdang), street stalls and local markets
Vegetarian / vegan options 416 listings on Happy Cow 24 options on HappyCow 59 listings on Happy Cow 7 options on HappyCow 57 options on Happy Cow