Barbados vs Bogota vs Buenos Aires vs Cape Town vs Medellin vs Panama City

Barbados 🇧🇧
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Bogota 🇨🇴
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Buenos Aires 🇦🇷
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Cape Town 🇿🇦
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Medellin 🇨🇴
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Panama City 🇵🇦
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Population 110,000 10,978,360 2,900,000 4,617,560 2,427,000 880,691
Official language(s) English, Bajan Creole Spanish Spanish Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English Spanish Spanish
Level of English Very high Low High Very high Low Low
Main airport Bridgetown/Grantley Adams International Airport (BGI) El Dorado International Airport (BOG) Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE) Cape Town International Airport (CPT) José María Córdova International Airport (MDE) Tocumen International Airport (PTY)
Most common months to visit November - May January - March, December September - December March - May, September - November January - April, December December - April
Currency BBD - Barbadian dollar ($) COP - Colombian Peso ($) ARS - Argentine Peso ($) ZAR - South African Rand (R) COP - Colombian Peso ($) PAB - Panamanian Balboa (B/.)
Credit cards Accepted in some places, cash also needed for smaller businesses Accepted everywhere Accepted everywhere. (ID required!) Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops Accepted in some places Accepted almost everywhere but not in smaller shops.
Remote worker visa Yes No No No No Yes
Average monthly costs $2702 $1097 $1321 $1549 $1293 $2359
Rent $1054 $480 $844 $618 $732 $1036
Groceries $234 $82 $98 $129 $87 $236
Dining out $345 $174 $121 $269 $131 $371
Cafe $75 $22 $25 $32 $18 $43
Coworking space $321 $77 $95 $151 $96 $157
Mobile internet $49 $11 $11 $27 $16 $21
Public transportation $35 $23 $9 $55 $21 $12
Taxis $106 $28 $9 $21 $14 $48
Shared bicycles and scooters $0 $17 $14 $49 $0 $0
Sport and cultural events $37 $22 $24 $19 $8 $35
Museums and sights $36 $7 $4 $15 $9 $9
Nightlife $96 $46 $23 $43 $73 $117
Gym $86 $15 $14 $36 $15 $37
Yoga $130 $57 $19 $56 $54 $163
Massage $99 $37 $10 $30 $20 $75
SIM card options Digicel Tigo, Movistar, Claro Movistar, Claro, Personal MTN, Vodacom Claro, Tigo Claro, Movistar
Tipping 10 - 15% usually included in restaurants, add 10 - 15% at bars 10% service included in all bills, not required or expected at bars without table service 10% at restaurants and cafés is common, not common at bars 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere Tip 10% in restaurants 10% in restaurants, round up elsewhere
Taxi apps None available Uber, Cabify Uber (not official), Cabify, BA Taxi (Spanish only) Uber, Bolt EasyTaxi Uber, Tu Chofer
Tap water Not drinkable Not drinkable Not 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. Latin American. Dishes with beef, pork and chicken are often mixed with flour-based foods and fruity desserts. Heavy influence from the Andes and other Colombian regions. Argentinian style with an emphasis on red meats, pastries, and Italian-inspired options 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. A blend of indigenous and European traditions with rice, maize, cassava, assorted legumes, and meats 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 Arepas, ajiaco santaferense, buñuelos, patacones, té de coca, changua Asado, empanadas (Argentinian style), locro, milanesa napolitana, facturas and alfajores Bitlong and droewors, boerewors, Cape Malay curry, bobotie, melkert, gatsby, bunny chow Bandeja paisa, ajiaco, mondongo, empanada, and arepa 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 Local family restaurants and those from other regions. Menú del día. Community markets and sports bars. Local restaurants serving asados grill-to-dish (Parrillas), markets (San Telmo, Recoleta) and local cafés for maté and facturas Cape Malay shacks, food trucks, street food joints, local grills, small bakeries and food markets Street stalls for empanada and arepa with cheese, restaurants for traditional Colombian food Fondas (roadside stalls), smaller local restaurants, local markets, food trucks
Vegetarian / vegan options 14 options on HappyCow 104 options on Happy Cow 79 options on Happy Cow 24 options on HappyCow 153 listings on Happy Cow 7 options on HappyCow