Barbados vs Barcelona vs Buenos Aires vs Istanbul vs Madrid vs Rio de Janeiro

Barbados 🇧🇧
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Barcelona 🇪🇸
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Buenos Aires 🇦🇷
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Madrid 🇪🇸
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Rio de Janeiro 🇧🇷
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Population 110,000 5,585,556 2,900,000 15,520,000 6,578,0179 6,718,903
Official language(s) English, Bajan Creole Catalan, Spanish Spanish Turkish Spanish Portuguese
Level of English Very high High High Low Moderate Low
Main airport Bridgetown/Grantley Adams International Airport (BGI) Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE) Istanbul Airport (IST) Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) Galeão International Airport
Most common months to visit November - May April - June, September - November September - December April - June, September and October March - May, September - November January - March, December
Currency BBD - Barbadian dollar ($) EUR - Euro (€) ARS - Argentine Peso ($) TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) EUR - Euro (€) BRL - Brazilian Real (R$)
Credit cards Accepted in some places, cash also needed for smaller businesses Accepted almost evewhere Accepted everywhere. (ID required!) Accepted in most places Accepted everywhere Accepted everywhere
Remote worker visa Yes Yes No No Yes No
Average monthly costs $2702 $2384 $1321 $659 $2498 $1833
Rent $1054 $932 $844 $354 $1174 $1066
Groceries $234 $121 $98 $44 $175 $95
Dining out $345 $403 $121 $81 $313 $210
Cafe $75 $45 $25 $18 $51 $25
Coworking space $321 $213 $95 $49 $196 $130
Mobile internet $49 $10 $11 $3 $10 $7
Public transportation $35 $127 $9 $6 $78 $33
Taxis $106 $48 $9 $6 $44 $14
Shared bicycles and scooters $0 $24 $14 $2 $49 $16
Sport and cultural events $37 $81 $24 $11 $54 $55
Museums and sights $36 $33 $4 $15 $20 $26
Nightlife $96 $112 $23 $22 $82 $54
Gym $86 $81 $14 $9 $44 $31
Yoga $130 $93 $19 $23 $142 $40
Massage $99 $59 $10 $15 $64 $32
SIM card options Digicel Vodafone, Movistar Movistar, Claro, Personal Turkcell, Turk Telekom Orange, Movistar, Vodafone Tim, Claro, Vivo
Tipping 10 - 15% usually included in restaurants, add 10 - 15% at bars 5-10% in restaurants if service is exceptional, not expected elsewhere 10% at restaurants and cafés is common, not common at bars Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars Not customary or expected but small tips are appreciated. 10% usually included in restaurants, 10% at bars and cafes with table service is common
Taxi apps None available Cabify, FreeNow Uber (not official), Cabify, BA Taxi (Spanish only) BiTaksi Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now Easy Taxi, 99 Taxi, Uber
Tap water Not drinkable Drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable 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. Argentinian style with an emphasis on red meats, pastries, and Italian-inspired options A fusion of cultures creates diverse dishes with bulgur, koftes, stews, eggplants and fish Fresh, regional produce accentuated with garlic and olive oil and mixed with various meats and seafoods. Influenced both by Mediterranean and Middle-Eastern flavors. Emphasis on rice, beans, pork and beef with a variety of root vegetables and fresh fruits. Fresh seafood is also very common.
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 Asado, empanadas (Argentinian style), locro, milanesa napolitana, facturas and alfajores Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight Paella, tapas, tortilla, gazpacho, pulpo a la gallega, callos a la madrileña, churros Feijoada, bolinho de bacalhau, fried sardines, caldo verde, pao de queijo and brigadeiros.
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 Local restaurants serving asados grill-to-dish (Parrillas), markets (San Telmo, Recoleta) and local cafés for maté and facturas Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee 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! The "snack capital" of Brazil, Rio is a perfect place to try street food as well as the wide varieties of small, traditional eateries and churrascarias easily found across the city.
Vegetarian / vegan options 14 options on HappyCow 98 options on HappyCow 79 options on Happy Cow 59 listings on Happy Cow 85 listings on Happy Cow 54 options on Happy Cow