Barcelona 🇪🇸
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Berlin 🇩🇪
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Bucharest 🇷🇴
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Cape Town 🇿🇦
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Madrid 🇪🇸
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Medellin 🇨🇴
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Playa del Carmen 🇲🇽
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Ubud 🇮🇩
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Population | 5,585,556 | 3,400,000 | 1,830,000 | 4,617,560 | 6,578,0179 | 2,427,000 | 259,453 | 112,490 |
Official language(s) | Catalan, Spanish | German | Romanian | Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English | Spanish | Spanish | Spanish | Indonesian and Balinese |
Level of English | High | Very high | High | Very high | Moderate | Low | Moderate | Low |
Main airport | Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) | Berlin Tegel (TXL) | Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP) | Cape Town International Airport (CPT) | Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) | José MarÃa Córdova International Airport (MDE) | Cancun International Airport (CUN) | Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPA) |
Most common months to visit | April - June, September - November | May - September | April - October | March - May, September - November | March - May, September - November | January - April, December | January - May, October - December | May - October |
Currency | EUR - Euro (€) | EUR - Euro (€) | RON - Romanian Leu (L) | ZAR - South African Rand (R) | EUR - Euro (€) | COP - Colombian Peso ($) | MXN - Mexican Peso ($) | IDR - Indonesian Rupiah (Rp) |
Credit cards | Accepted almost evewhere | Accepted in some places but cash often preferred | Accepted almost everywhere | Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops | Accepted everywhere | Accepted in some places | Accepted almost everywhere | Accepted in some places |
Remote worker visa | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
Average monthly costs | $2384 | $2200 | $1351 | $1549 | $2498 | $1293 | $2143 | $1363 |
Rent | $932 | $939 | $615 | $618 | $1174 | $732 | $923 | $658 |
Groceries | $121 | $188 | $114 | $129 | $175 | $87 | $127 | $150 |
Dining out | $403 | $271 | $165 | $269 | $313 | $131 | $207 | $10 |
Cafe | $45 | $57 | $38 | $32 | $51 | $18 | $42 | $28 |
Coworking space | $213 | $174 | $133 | $151 | $196 | $96 | $160 | $106 |
Mobile internet | $10 | $23 | $7 | $27 | $10 | $16 | $21 | $3 |
Public transportation | $127 | $88 | $21 | $55 | $78 | $21 | $17 | $53 |
Taxis | $48 | $58 | $9 | $21 | $44 | $14 | $9 | $13 |
Shared bicycles and scooters | $24 | $17 | $25 | $49 | $49 | $0 | $49 | $33 |
Sport and cultural events | $81 | $64 | $29 | $19 | $54 | $8 | $97 | $14 |
Museums and sights | $33 | $37 | $29 | $15 | $20 | $9 | $217 | $9 |
Nightlife | $112 | $63 | $45 | $43 | $82 | $73 | $77 | $118 |
Gym | $81 | $66 | $30 | $36 | $44 | $15 | $42 | $72 |
Yoga | $93 | $99 | $59 | $56 | $142 | $54 | $54 | $87 |
Massage | $59 | $56 | $31 | $30 | $64 | $20 | $101 | $10 |
SIM card options | Vodafone, Movistar | Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone | Vodafone, Orange | MTN, Vodacom | Orange, Movistar, Vodafone | Claro, Tigo | Telcel, Movistar | Telkomsel, XL Axiata |
Tipping | 5-10% in restaurants if service is exceptional, not expected elsewhere | Round up for restaurants, not common for bars and services | 5% - 10% at restaurants, 5% - 10% tip for services is appreciated but not expected, round up for taxis | 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere | Not customary or expected but small tips are appreciated. | Tip 10% in restaurants | 10-15% for restaurants | Tip 5 - 10% in restaurants if service charge is not included in the bill |
Taxi apps | Cabify, FreeNow | Mytaxi, Uber | Star Taxi, Uber | Uber, Bolt | Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now | EasyTaxi | N/A | Grab, GoJek |
Tap water | Drinkable | Drinkable | Not drinkable | Not drinkable | Drinkable | Not drinkable | Not drinkable | Not drinkable |
Overall cuisine | 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. | Heavy and hearty meals with plenty of meat, potatoes and bread | Wide range of meat and fish dishes, soups, salads and cheeses influenced by German, Hungarian, Turkish, Greek and Ukrainian cuisine. | 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. | 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 | Staple dishes from maize, beans, sweet potato and avocado along with meat, chili peppers and other spices | Balinese foods revolve on the complex flavors from certain ingredients like fresh vegetables, meat, coconut milk, and time-tested spices mixture. |
Local food specialities | Paella, bombas, esqueixada, pa amb tomáquet, escalivada, crema Catalana, gazpacho, chorizo | Currywurst, spätzle, königsberger klopse, schnitzel, eisbein, doner kebab, pretzels | Sarmale, mămăligă, mici, ciolan cu fasole, ciorbă de burtă, covrig, papanasi | Bitlong and droewors, boerewors, Cape Malay curry, bobotie, melkert, gatsby, bunny chow | Paella, tapas, tortilla, gazpacho, pulpo a la gallega, callos a la madrileña, churros | Bandeja paisa, ajiaco, mondongo, empanada, and arepa | Chilaquiles, tacos al pastor, chile rellenos, cochinita pibil, tostadas, pozole | Satay, nasi goreng, gado-gado, martabak, bubur sumsum |
Eat like a local | Taverns, tapas bars, local markets, bodegas and street food spots | Brew pubs, cafes, bars, deli shops | Set lunch menus, cafe terraces, cofeterias | 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! | Street stalls for empanada and arepa with cheese, restaurants for traditional Colombian food | Taco stands, esquite stalls, El Fogon, El Pirata, Dona Mary's | Warung for authentic babi guling and bebek betutu, cafes for kopi luwak, street stalls for pisang goreng, nasi campur, and sate lilit |
Vegetarian / vegan options | 98 options on HappyCow | 844 listings on Happy Cow | 33 listings on Happy Cow | 24 options on HappyCow | 85 listings on Happy Cow | 153 listings on Happy Cow | 72 listings on Happy Cow | 255 listings on Happy Cow |