Barbados vs Cape Town vs Madrid vs Mexico City vs Playa del Carmen vs Sofia

Barbados ๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ง
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Cape Town ๐Ÿ‡ฟ๐Ÿ‡ฆ
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Madrid ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ
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Mexico City ๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ
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Playa del Carmen ๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ
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Sofia ๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ฌ
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Population 110,000 4,617,560 6,578,0179 8,850,000 259,453 1,270,169
Official language(s) English, Bajan Creole Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English Spanish Spanish Spanish Bulgarian
Level of English Very high Very high Moderate Moderate Moderate High
Main airport Bridgetown/Grantley Adams International Airport (BGI) Cape Town International Airport (CPT) Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) Mexico City International Airport (MEX) Cancun International Airport (CUN) Sofia International Airport (SOF)
Most common months to visit November - May March - May, September - November March - May, September - November March - May, October, November January - May, October - December April-June, September-October
Currency BBD - Barbadian dollar ($) ZAR - South African Rand (R) EUR - Euro (โ‚ฌ) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) BGN - Bulgarian Lev (ะปะฒ)
Credit cards Accepted in some places, cash also needed for smaller businesses Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops Accepted everywhere Widely accepted (less with AMEX) Accepted almost everywhere Accepted everywhere
Remote worker visa Yes No Yes Yes Yes No
Average monthly costs $2702 $1549 $2498 $1867 $2143 $1289
Rent $1054 $618 $1174 $778 $923 $567
Groceries $234 $129 $175 $281 $127 $10
Dining out $345 $269 $313 $182 $207 $227
Cafe $75 $32 $51 $49 $42 $27
Coworking space $321 $151 $196 $159 $160 $140
Mobile internet $49 $27 $10 $25 $21 $10
Public transportation $35 $55 $78 $11 $17 $30
Taxis $106 $21 $44 $9 $9 $12
Shared bicycles and scooters $0 $49 $49 $24 $49 $40
Sport and cultural events $37 $19 $54 $81 $97 $18
Museums and sights $36 $15 $20 $20 $217 $12
Nightlife $96 $43 $82 $64 $77 $82
Gym $86 $36 $44 $69 $42 $23
Yoga $130 $56 $142 $65 $54 $62
Massage $99 $30 $64 $51 $101 $29
SIM card options Digicel MTN, Vodacom Orange, Movistar, Vodafone Telcel, Movistar Telcel, Movistar A1, Telenor, Vivacom
Tipping 10 - 15% usually included in restaurants, add 10 - 15% at bars 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere Not customary or expected but small tips are appreciated. 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services 10-15% for restaurants 10% in restaurants, 1-2 BGN at bars and cafรฉs
Taxi apps None available Uber, Bolt Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now Uber N/A TaxiMe, TaxiStars
Tap water Not drinkable 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. 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. Fresh, regional produce accentuated with garlic and olive oil and mixed with various meats and seafoods. Influenced both by Mediterranean and Middle-Eastern flavors. 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 Vegetables and mild spices are often mixed with dairy products to create rich chicken and pork products. Seafood dishes also popular in some regions of the country, making them popular in the capital.
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 Paella, tapas, tortilla, gazpacho, pulpo a la gallega, callos a la madrileรฑa, churros Enchiladas, torta de chilaquiles, esquites, quesadillas, tlacoyos, tacos, tostadas Chilaquiles, tacos al pastor, chile rellenos, cochinita pibil, tostadas, pozole Kebapche, Bulgarian musaka, lyutenitsa, shkember chorba, kyufte, kavarma, banitsa and tarator
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 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! Markets, food stalls, menรบ del dรญa (cheap set lunch menus) Taco stands, esquite stalls, El Fogon, El Pirata, Dona Mary's Taverns, local BBQ restaurants, local markets and smaller eateries in residential and university areas.
Vegetarian / vegan options 14 options on HappyCow 24 options on HappyCow 85 listings on Happy Cow 279 listings on Happy Cow 72 listings on Happy Cow 20 options on HappyCow