Bangkok vs Istanbul vs Mexico City vs Playa del Carmen vs Porto vs Prague vs Sofia

Bangkok 🇹🇭
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Mexico City 🇲🇽
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Playa del Carmen 🇲🇽
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Porto 🇵🇹
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Prague 🇨🇿
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Sofia 🇧🇬
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Population 5,680,000 15,520,000 8,850,000 259,453 237,559 1,305,737 1,270,169
Official language(s) Thai Turkish Spanish Spanish Portuguese Czech Bulgarian
Level of English Low Low Moderate Moderate Very High High High
Main airport Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) Istanbul Airport (IST) Mexico City International Airport (MEX) Cancun International Airport (CUN) Francisco Sá Carneiro International Airport (OPO) Václav Havel Airport Prague (PRG) Sofia International Airport (SOF)
Most common months to visit January - March, November, December April - June, September and October March - May, October, November January - May, October - December May - September June - October April-June, September-October
Currency THB - Thai Baht (฿) TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) EUR - Euro (€) CZK - Czech Koruna (Kč) BGN - Bulgarian Lev (лв)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted in most places Widely accepted (less with AMEX) Accepted almost everywhere Accepted everywhere Accepted most places (some places are cash only) Accepted everywhere
Remote worker visa No No Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Average monthly costs $1560 $659 $1867 $2143 $1759 $1806 $1289
Rent $616 $354 $778 $923 $717 $780 $567
Groceries $191 $44 $281 $127 $148 $158 $10
Dining out $168 $81 $182 $207 $280 $240 $227
Cafe $45 $18 $49 $42 $45 $53 $27
Coworking space $127 $49 $159 $160 $96 $175 $140
Mobile internet $23 $3 $25 $21 $21 $24 $10
Public transportation $32 $6 $11 $17 $95 $61 $30
Taxis $19 $6 $9 $9 $25 $33 $12
Shared bicycles and scooters $17 $2 $24 $49 $10 $19 $40
Sport and cultural events $46 $11 $81 $97 $45 $19 $18
Museums and sights $21 $15 $20 $217 $24 $35 $12
Nightlife $50 $22 $64 $77 $66 $50 $82
Gym $96 $9 $69 $42 $56 $56 $23
Yoga $98 $23 $65 $54 $82 $66 $62
Massage $11 $15 $51 $101 $48 $37 $29
SIM card options AIS Turkcell, Turk Telekom Telcel, Movistar Telcel, Movistar Vodafone, MEO, NOS Vodafone, T-Mobile A1, Telenor, Vivacom
Tipping 10% for restaurants, bars and services Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services 10-15% for restaurants 5-10% at restaurants if happy with service, not expected at cafes or bars 10% at restaurants and bars, round up elsewhere 10% in restaurants, 1-2 BGN at bars and cafés
Taxi apps Grab BiTaksi Uber N/A Uber, MyTaxi, Cabify Uber, Liftago TaxiMe, TaxiStars
Tap water Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Drinkable 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 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 A variety of meats often mixed with fresh legumes and vegetables. Emphasis on rich seafood dishes and creamy desserts. Thick soups are often combined with stewed vegetables and baked meats to produce rich dishes. Gravies and creams are popular in Czech cuisine, as is beer! Vegetables and mild spices are often mixed with dairy products to create rich chicken and pork products. Seafood dishes also popular in some regions of the country, making them popular in the capital.
Local food specialities Pad thai, tom yam, kway teow reua, som tum, sooan Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight Enchiladas, torta de chilaquiles, esquites, quesadillas, tlacoyos, tacos, tostadas Chilaquiles, tacos al pastor, chile rellenos, cochinita pibil, tostadas, pozole Bacalhau, Alheira de Mirandela, Francesinha, queido da serra da estrela, tripas a moda do Oporto, pasteis de chaves, tarte de amendoa Vepřo knedlo zelo, Česnečka, Guláš, Svíčková na smetaně, Ovocné Knedlíky. Kebapche, Bulgarian musaka, lyutenitsa, shkember chorba, kyufte, kavarma, banitsa and tarator
Eat like a local Food stalls, local markets, shophouse restaurants Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee Markets, food stalls, menú del día (cheap set lunch menus) Taco stands, esquite stalls, El Fogon, El Pirata, Dona Mary's Local taverns, terraces, markets, tascas, churrascarias and local sports bars Pubs and taverns, street food stalls, local cafés Taverns, local BBQ restaurants, local markets and smaller eateries in residential and university areas.
Vegetarian / vegan options 416 listings on Happy Cow 59 listings on Happy Cow 279 listings on Happy Cow 72 listings on Happy Cow 46 options on Happy Cow 112 options on HappyCow 20 options on HappyCow