Barbados vs Hanoi vs Istanbul vs Madrid vs Medellin

Barbados 🇧🇧
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Hanoi 🇻🇳
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Madrid 🇪🇸
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Medellin 🇨🇴
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Population 110,000 8,053,663 15,520,000 6,578,0179 2,427,000
Official language(s) English, Bajan Creole Vietnamese Turkish Spanish Spanish
Level of English Very high Moderate Low Moderate Low
Main airport Bridgetown/Grantley Adams International Airport (BGI) Nội Bài International Airport (HAN) Istanbul Airport (IST) Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) José María Córdova International Airport (MDE)
Most common months to visit November - May January, February, October - December April - June, September and October March - May, September - November January - April, December
Currency BBD - Barbadian dollar ($) VND - Vietnamese Dong (₫) TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) EUR - Euro (€) COP - Colombian Peso ($)
Credit cards Accepted in some places, cash also needed for smaller businesses Accepted in some places. Cash often preferred. Accepted in most places Accepted everywhere Accepted in some places
Remote worker visa Yes No No Yes No
Average monthly costs $2702 $1167 $659 $2498 $1293
Rent $1054 $503 $354 $1174 $732
Groceries $234 $151 $44 $175 $87
Dining out $345 $134 $81 $313 $131
Cafe $75 $39 $18 $51 $18
Coworking space $321 $72 $49 $196 $96
Mobile internet $49 $4 $3 $10 $16
Public transportation $35 $20 $6 $78 $21
Taxis $106 $13 $6 $44 $14
Shared bicycles and scooters $0 $0 $2 $49 $0
Sport and cultural events $37 $3 $11 $54 $8
Museums and sights $36 $4 $15 $20 $9
Nightlife $96 $89 $22 $82 $73
Gym $86 $57 $9 $44 $15
Yoga $130 $57 $23 $142 $54
Massage $99 $21 $15 $64 $20
SIM card options Digicel Viettel, Mobifone Turkcell, Turk Telekom Orange, Movistar, Vodafone Claro, Tigo
Tipping 10 - 15% usually included in restaurants, add 10 - 15% at bars Not required but appreciated, especially in taxis, restaurants and bars. Round up or add 10%. Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars Not customary or expected but small tips are appreciated. Tip 10% in restaurants
Taxi apps None available Grab, GoViet BiTaksi Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now EasyTaxi
Tap water Not 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. A mix of French, Southeast Asian and Chinese with lots of fresh herbs and spices. Northern Vietnam cuisine includes a lot of fish and noodles. 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. A blend of indigenous and European traditions with rice, maize, cassava, assorted legumes, and meats
Local food specialities Cou-cou and flying fish, fish cakes, cutters, pudding and souse, macaroni pie, conkies, Bajan black cake, sea eggs Pho, cha ca, Vietnamese coffee, pastries and breads Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight Paella, tapas, tortilla, gazpacho, pulpo a la gallega, callos a la madrileña, churros Bandeja paisa, ajiaco, mondongo, empanada, and arepa
Eat like a local Food trucks, pubs, seaside street food, roadside carts, local seafood restaurants, smaller traditional restaurants and rum shops Noodle Houses, Bakeries, Coffee and Tea Houses, street food 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! Street stalls for empanada and arepa with cheese, restaurants for traditional Colombian food
Vegetarian / vegan options 14 options on HappyCow 104 listings on Happy Cow 59 listings on Happy Cow 85 listings on Happy Cow 153 listings on Happy Cow