Austin vs Barcelona vs Berlin vs Buenos Aires vs Cape Town vs Lisbon vs Mexico City vs Panama City

Austin 🇺🇸
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Barcelona 🇪🇸
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Berlin 🇩🇪
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Buenos Aires 🇦🇷
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Cape Town 🇿🇦
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Lisbon 🇵🇹
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Mexico City 🇲🇽
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Panama City 🇵🇦
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Population 926,426 5,585,556 3,400,000 2,900,000 4,617,560 517,000 8,850,000 880,691
Official language(s) English (de facto) Catalan, Spanish German Spanish Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English Portuguese Spanish Spanish
Level of English Very high High Very high High Very high Very high Moderate Low
Main airport Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) Berlin Tegel (TXL) Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE) Cape Town International Airport (CPT) Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) Mexico City International Airport (MEX) Tocumen International Airport (PTY)
Most common months to visit March - May, September - November April - June, September - November May - September September - December March - May, September - November March - May, September, October March - May, October, November December - April
Currency USD - US Dollar ($) EUR - Euro (€) EUR - Euro (€) ARS - Argentine Peso ($) ZAR - South African Rand (R) EUR - Euro (€) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) PAB - Panamanian Balboa (B/.)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted almost evewhere Accepted in some places but cash often preferred Accepted everywhere. (ID required!) Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops Accepted almost everywhere (less for AMEX) Widely accepted (less with AMEX) Accepted almost everywhere but not in smaller shops.
Remote worker visa No Yes Yes No No Yes Yes Yes
Average monthly costs $3484 $2384 $2200 $1321 $1549 $1984 $1867 $2359
Rent $1650 $932 $939 $844 $618 $965 $778 $1036
Groceries $243 $121 $188 $98 $129 $136 $281 $236
Dining out $396 $403 $271 $121 $269 $271 $182 $371
Cafe $66 $45 $57 $25 $32 $37 $49 $43
Coworking space $331 $213 $174 $95 $151 $164 $159 $157
Mobile internet $40 $10 $23 $11 $27 $24 $25 $21
Public transportation $110 $127 $88 $9 $55 $63 $11 $12
Taxis $73 $48 $58 $9 $21 $27 $9 $48
Shared bicycles and scooters $96 $24 $17 $14 $49 $18 $24 $0
Sport and cultural events $54 $81 $64 $24 $19 $29 $81 $35
Museums and sights $11 $33 $37 $4 $15 $24 $20 $9
Nightlife $124 $112 $63 $23 $43 $47 $64 $117
Gym $62 $81 $66 $14 $36 $65 $69 $37
Yoga $139 $93 $99 $19 $56 $65 $65 $163
Massage $89 $59 $56 $10 $30 $50 $51 $75
SIM card options AT&T, T-Mobile. Vodafone, Movistar Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone Movistar, Claro, Personal MTN, Vodacom Vodafone Telcel, Movistar Claro, Movistar
Tipping 15-20% at restaurants, 1USD or more per drink at cafes and bars 5-10% in restaurants if service is exceptional, not expected elsewhere Round up for restaurants, not common for bars and services 10% at restaurants and cafés is common, not common at bars 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere 5-10% for restaurants, not common at bars 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services 10% in restaurants, round up elsewhere
Taxi apps Uber, Lyft Cabify, FreeNow Mytaxi, Uber Uber (not official), Cabify, BA Taxi (Spanish only) Uber, Bolt Uber, FreeNow Uber Uber, Tu Chofer
Tap water Drinkable Drinkable Drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable
Overall cuisine Emphasis on barbecued meats (beef and pork) as well as corn-based dishes and tex-mex, and rich American-style desserts. 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 Argentinian style with an emphasis on red meats, pastries, and Italian-inspired options 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 seafood, meats, soup, sausages and famous pastries Corn, beans, tortillas and chili peppers typically alongside meat and cheese Latin American. Emphasis on rice, beans, coconut, and local fruits and vegetables. Pork and beef are regularly used and influence from the islands gives seafood dishes a prominent spot in Panamanian cuisine.
Local food specialities Frito pie, queso, apple pie, kolaches, BBQ ribs, tacos Paella, bombas, esqueixada, pa amb tomáquet, escalivada, crema Catalana, gazpacho, chorizo Currywurst, spätzle, königsberger klopse, schnitzel, eisbein, doner kebab, pretzels Asado, empanadas (Argentinian style), locro, milanesa napolitana, facturas and alfajores Bitlong and droewors, boerewors, Cape Malay curry, bobotie, melkert, gatsby, bunny chow Bacalhau à bras, sardinhas, petiscos, leitão, polvo à lagareiro, pasteis de nata, bifana Enchiladas, torta de chilaquiles, esquites, quesadillas, tlacoyos, tacos, tostadas Sancocho de gallina, carimanola, empanadas, tamales panameños, tostones, ropa vieja
Eat like a local Local tex-mex restaurants, lunch BBQ joints, taquerias, food trucks, local breweries Taverns, tapas bars, local markets, bodegas and street food spots Brew pubs, cafes, bars, deli shops Local restaurants serving asados grill-to-dish (Parrillas), markets (San Telmo, Recoleta) and local cafés for maté and facturas Cape Malay shacks, food trucks, street food joints, local grills, small bakeries and food markets Tascas, snack bars, seafood restaurants Markets, food stalls, menú del día (cheap set lunch menus) Fondas (roadside stalls), smaller local restaurants, local markets, food trucks
Vegetarian / vegan options 30 options on HappyCow 98 options on HappyCow 844 listings on Happy Cow 79 options on Happy Cow 24 options on HappyCow 401 listings on Happy Cow 279 listings on Happy Cow 7 options on HappyCow