|
Barbados 🇧🇧
|
Barcelona 🇪🇸
|
Berlin 🇩🇪
|
Cape Town 🇿🇦
|
Lisbon 🇵🇹
|
Madrid 🇪🇸
|
Mexico City 🇲🇽
|
Panama City 🇵🇦
|
|
| Population | 110,000 | 5,585,556 | 3,400,000 | 4,617,560 | 517,000 | 6,578,0179 | 8,850,000 | 880,691 |
| Official language(s) | English, Bajan Creole | Catalan, Spanish | German | Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English | Portuguese | Spanish | Spanish | Spanish |
| Level of English | Very high | High | Very high | Very high | Very high | Moderate | Moderate | Low |
| Main airport | Bridgetown/Grantley Adams International Airport (BGI) | Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) | Berlin Tegel (TXL) | Cape Town International Airport (CPT) | Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) | Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) | Mexico City International Airport (MEX) | Tocumen International Airport (PTY) |
| Most common months to visit | November - May | April - June, September - November | May - September | March - May, September - November | March - May, September, October | March - May, September - November | March - May, October, November | December - April |
| Currency | BBD - Barbadian dollar ($) | EUR - Euro (€) | EUR - Euro (€) | ZAR - South African Rand (R) | EUR - Euro (€) | EUR - Euro (€) | MXN - Mexican Peso ($) | PAB - Panamanian Balboa (B/.) |
| Credit cards | Accepted in some places, cash also needed for smaller businesses | Accepted almost evewhere | Accepted in some places but cash often preferred | Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops | Accepted almost everywhere (less for AMEX) | Accepted everywhere | Widely accepted (less with AMEX) | Accepted almost everywhere but not in smaller shops. |
| Remote worker visa | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Average monthly costs | $2702 | $2384 | $2200 | $1549 | $1984 | $2498 | $1867 | $2359 |
| Rent | $1054 | $932 | $939 | $618 | $965 | $1174 | $778 | $1036 |
| Groceries | $234 | $121 | $188 | $129 | $136 | $175 | $281 | $236 |
| Dining out | $345 | $403 | $271 | $269 | $271 | $313 | $182 | $371 |
| Cafe | $75 | $45 | $57 | $32 | $37 | $51 | $49 | $43 |
| Coworking space | $321 | $213 | $174 | $151 | $164 | $196 | $159 | $157 |
| Mobile internet | $49 | $10 | $23 | $27 | $24 | $10 | $25 | $21 |
| Public transportation | $35 | $127 | $88 | $55 | $63 | $78 | $11 | $12 |
| Taxis | $106 | $48 | $58 | $21 | $27 | $44 | $9 | $48 |
| Shared bicycles and scooters | $0 | $24 | $17 | $49 | $18 | $49 | $24 | $0 |
| Sport and cultural events | $37 | $81 | $64 | $19 | $29 | $54 | $81 | $35 |
| Museums and sights | $36 | $33 | $37 | $15 | $24 | $20 | $20 | $9 |
| Nightlife | $96 | $112 | $63 | $43 | $47 | $82 | $64 | $117 |
| Gym | $86 | $81 | $66 | $36 | $65 | $44 | $69 | $37 |
| Yoga | $130 | $93 | $99 | $56 | $65 | $142 | $65 | $163 |
| Massage | $99 | $59 | $56 | $30 | $50 | $64 | $51 | $75 |
| SIM card options | Digicel | Vodafone, Movistar | Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone | MTN, Vodacom | Vodafone | Orange, Movistar, Vodafone | Telcel, Movistar | Claro, Movistar |
| Tipping | 10 - 15% usually included in restaurants, add 10 - 15% at bars | 5-10% in restaurants if service is exceptional, not expected elsewhere | Round up for restaurants, not common for bars and services | 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere | 5-10% for restaurants, not common at bars | Not customary or expected but small tips are appreciated. | 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services | 10% in restaurants, round up elsewhere |
| Taxi apps | None available | Cabify, FreeNow | Mytaxi, Uber | Uber, Bolt | Uber, FreeNow | Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now | Uber | Uber, Tu Chofer |
| Tap water | Not drinkable | Drinkable | Drinkable | Not drinkable | Drinkable | Drinkable | Not drinkable | Not drinkable |
| Overall cuisine | Bajan cuisine features an eclectic mix of European, Asian, and Caribbean styles resulting in bold, tasty and crunchy meat or fish dishes with lots of spices, lime juice, thyme and salads laden with local vegetables and hot side dishes. | Catalan cuisine makes extensive use of Mediterranean vegetables, legumes mixed with pork in its many varieties, chicken and fish. Regularly mixes sweet and savory flavors in specific dishes. This cuisine is known for being bold in flavor and striking in color, with a variety of specific regional dishes found the culinary hub that is Barcelona. | Heavy and hearty meals with plenty of meat, potatoes and bread | 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 sautéed vegetables and dry-cured meats. Creamy desserts and liqueurs compliment large and flavorful meals. | Fresh seafood, meats, soup, sausages and famous pastries | Fresh, regional produce accentuated with garlic and olive oil and mixed with various meats and seafoods. Influenced both by Mediterranean and Middle-Eastern flavors. | Corn, beans, tortillas and chili peppers typically alongside meat and cheese | 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. |
| Local food specialities | Cou-cou and flying fish, fish cakes, cutters, pudding and souse, macaroni pie, conkies, Bajan black cake, sea eggs | Paella, bombas, esqueixada, pa amb tomáquet, escalivada, crema Catalana, gazpacho, chorizo | Currywurst, spätzle, königsberger klopse, schnitzel, eisbein, doner kebab, pretzels | Bitlong and droewors, boerewors, Cape Malay curry, bobotie, melkert, gatsby, bunny chow | Bacalhau à bras, sardinhas, petiscos, leitão, polvo à lagareiro, pasteis de nata, bifana | Paella, tapas, tortilla, gazpacho, pulpo a la gallega, callos a la madrileña, churros | Enchiladas, torta de chilaquiles, esquites, quesadillas, tlacoyos, tacos, tostadas | Sancocho de gallina, carimanola, empanadas, tamales panameños, tostones, ropa vieja |
| Eat like a local | Food trucks, pubs, seaside street food, roadside carts, local seafood restaurants, smaller traditional restaurants and rum shops | Taverns, tapas bars, local markets, bodegas and street food spots | Brew pubs, cafes, bars, deli shops | Cape Malay shacks, food trucks, street food joints, local grills, small bakeries and food markets | Tascas, snack bars, seafood restaurants | Have some tapas and sangria at a tasca and paella at an authentic eatery. Keep an eye on the time and visit a cafeteria for a mid-afternoon merienda and some churros! | Markets, food stalls, menú del dÃa (cheap set lunch menus) | Fondas (roadside stalls), smaller local restaurants, local markets, food trucks |
| Vegetarian / vegan options | 14 options on HappyCow | 98 options on HappyCow | 844 listings on Happy Cow | 24 options on HappyCow | 401 listings on Happy Cow | 85 listings on Happy Cow | 279 listings on Happy Cow | 7 options on HappyCow |