Barbados vs Berlin vs Istanbul vs Medellin vs Playa del Carmen

Barbados 🇧🇧
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Berlin 🇩🇪
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Medellin 🇨🇴
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Playa del Carmen 🇲🇽
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Population 110,000 3,400,000 15,520,000 2,427,000 259,453
Official language(s) English, Bajan Creole German Turkish Spanish Spanish
Level of English Very high Very high Low Low Moderate
Main airport Bridgetown/Grantley Adams International Airport (BGI) Berlin Tegel (TXL) Istanbul Airport (IST) José María Córdova International Airport (MDE) Cancun International Airport (CUN)
Most common months to visit November - May May - September April - June, September and October January - April, December January - May, October - December
Currency BBD - Barbadian dollar ($) EUR - Euro (€) TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) COP - Colombian Peso ($) MXN - Mexican Peso ($)
Credit cards Accepted in some places, cash also needed for smaller businesses Accepted in some places but cash often preferred Accepted in most places Accepted in some places Accepted almost everywhere
Remote worker visa Yes Yes No No Yes
Average monthly costs $2702 $2200 $659 $1293 $2143
Rent $1054 $939 $354 $732 $923
Groceries $234 $188 $44 $87 $127
Dining out $345 $271 $81 $131 $207
Cafe $75 $57 $18 $18 $42
Coworking space $321 $174 $49 $96 $160
Mobile internet $49 $23 $3 $16 $21
Public transportation $35 $88 $6 $21 $17
Taxis $106 $58 $6 $14 $9
Shared bicycles and scooters $0 $17 $2 $0 $49
Sport and cultural events $37 $64 $11 $8 $97
Museums and sights $36 $37 $15 $9 $217
Nightlife $96 $63 $22 $73 $77
Gym $86 $66 $9 $15 $42
Yoga $130 $99 $23 $54 $54
Massage $99 $56 $15 $20 $101
SIM card options Digicel Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone Turkcell, Turk Telekom Claro, Tigo Telcel, Movistar
Tipping 10 - 15% usually included in restaurants, add 10 - 15% at bars Round up for restaurants, not common for bars and services Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars Tip 10% in restaurants 10-15% for restaurants
Taxi apps None available Mytaxi, Uber BiTaksi EasyTaxi N/A
Tap water Not drinkable Drinkable Not 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. Heavy and hearty meals with plenty of meat, potatoes and bread 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 Staple dishes from maize, beans, sweet potato and avocado along with meat, chili peppers and other spices
Local food specialities Cou-cou and flying fish, fish cakes, cutters, pudding and souse, macaroni pie, conkies, Bajan black cake, sea eggs Currywurst, spätzle, königsberger klopse, schnitzel, eisbein, doner kebab, pretzels Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight Bandeja paisa, ajiaco, mondongo, empanada, and arepa Chilaquiles, tacos al pastor, chile rellenos, cochinita pibil, tostadas, pozole
Eat like a local Food trucks, pubs, seaside street food, roadside carts, local seafood restaurants, smaller traditional restaurants and rum shops Brew pubs, cafes, bars, deli shops Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee Street stalls for empanada and arepa with cheese, restaurants for traditional Colombian food Taco stands, esquite stalls, El Fogon, El Pirata, Dona Mary's
Vegetarian / vegan options 14 options on HappyCow 844 listings on Happy Cow 59 listings on Happy Cow 153 listings on Happy Cow 72 listings on Happy Cow