Barbados ๐ง๐ง
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Cape Town ๐ฟ๐ฆ
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Chiang Mai ๐น๐ญ
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Istanbul ๐น๐ท
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Mexico City ๐ฒ๐ฝ
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Playa del Carmen ๐ฒ๐ฝ
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Population | 110,000 | 4,617,560 | 1,166,978 | 15,520,000 | 8,850,000 | 259,453 |
Official language(s) | English, Bajan Creole | Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English | Thai | Turkish | Spanish | Spanish |
Level of English | Very high | Very high | Low | Low | Moderate | Moderate |
Main airport | Bridgetown/Grantley Adams International Airport (BGI) | Cape Town International Airport (CPT) | Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) | Istanbul Airport (IST) | Mexico City International Airport (MEX) | Cancun International Airport (CUN) |
Most common months to visit | November - May | March - May, September - November | November - April | April - June, September and October | March - May, October, November | January - May, October - December |
Currency | BBD - Barbadian dollar ($) | ZAR - South African Rand (R) | THB - Thai Baht (เธฟ) | TRY - Turkish Lira (โบ) | MXN - Mexican Peso ($) | MXN - Mexican Peso ($) |
Credit cards | Accepted in some places, cash also needed for smaller businesses | Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops | Accepted sometimes. Cash preferred in many places. | Accepted in most places | Widely accepted (less with AMEX) | Accepted almost everywhere |
Remote worker visa | Yes | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
Average monthly costs | $2702 | $1549 | $974 | $659 | $1867 | $2143 |
Rent | $1054 | $618 | $274 | $354 | $778 | $923 |
Groceries | $234 | $129 | $169 | $44 | $281 | $127 |
Dining out | $345 | $269 | $108 | $81 | $182 | $207 |
Cafe | $75 | $32 | $45 | $18 | $49 | $42 |
Coworking space | $321 | $151 | $95 | $49 | $159 | $160 |
Mobile internet | $49 | $27 | $11 | $3 | $25 | $21 |
Public transportation | $35 | $55 | $60 | $6 | $11 | $17 |
Taxis | $106 | $21 | $20 | $6 | $9 | $9 |
Shared bicycles and scooters | $0 | $49 | $10 | $2 | $24 | $49 |
Sport and cultural events | $37 | $19 | $8 | $11 | $81 | $97 |
Museums and sights | $36 | $15 | $8 | $15 | $20 | $217 |
Nightlife | $96 | $43 | $62 | $22 | $64 | $77 |
Gym | $86 | $36 | $41 | $9 | $69 | $42 |
Yoga | $130 | $56 | $55 | $23 | $65 | $54 |
Massage | $99 | $30 | $10 | $15 | $51 | $101 |
SIM card options | Digicel | MTN, Vodacom | AIS, DTAC | Turkcell, Turk Telekom | Telcel, Movistar | Telcel, Movistar |
Tipping | 10 - 15% usually included in restaurants, add 10 - 15% at bars | 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere | 10% at restaurants, not customary or expected elsewhere | Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafรฉs and bars | 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services | 10-15% for restaurants |
Taxi apps | None available | Uber, Bolt | Grab | BiTaksi | Uber | N/A |
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. | 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 sautรฉed vegetables and dry-cured meats. Creamy desserts and liqueurs compliment large and flavorful meals. | Combines salty, sweet, spicy and sour flavors to create bold and colorful dishes. Meals typically include a mixture of meat and seafood dishes, as well as noodles or soups recipes. Strong emphasis on local spices and vegetables. | 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 |
Local food specialities | Cou-cou and flying fish, fish cakes, cutters, pudding and souse, macaroni pie, conkies, Bajan black cake, sea eggs | Bitlong and droewors, boerewors, Cape Malay curry, bobotie, melkert, gatsby, bunny chow | Khao soi, khan toke, sai oua, miang kham, nam prik, khanom jeen nam ngiaw, larb khua | Dรถner, ฤฐรงli Kรถfte, Dondurma, Karnฤฑyarฤฑk, Turkish delight | Enchiladas, torta de chilaquiles, esquites, quesadillas, tlacoyos, tacos, tostadas | 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 | Cape Malay shacks, food trucks, street food joints, local grills, small bakeries and food markets | Street food stalls, local markets, bakeries and smaller, traditional restaurants that serve fresh food | Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee | Markets, food stalls, menรบ del dรญa (cheap set lunch menus) | Taco stands, esquite stalls, El Fogon, El Pirata, Dona Mary's |
Vegetarian / vegan options | 14 options on HappyCow | 24 options on HappyCow | 90 options on HappyCow | 59 listings on Happy Cow | 279 listings on Happy Cow | 72 listings on Happy Cow |