Barcelona vs Berlin vs Buenos Aires vs Cape Town vs Lisbon vs Mexico City vs New York City vs Panama City

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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New York City 🇺🇸
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Panama City 🇵🇦
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Population 5,585,556 3,400,000 2,900,000 4,617,560 517,000 8,850,000 8,323,340 880,691
Official language(s) Catalan, Spanish German Spanish Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English Portuguese Spanish English (de facto) Spanish
Level of English High Very high High Very high Very high Moderate Very high Low
Main airport 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) John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) Tocumen International Airport (PTY)
Most common months to visit April - June, September - November May - September September - December March - May, September - November March - May, September, October March - May, October, November April - June, September - November December - April
Currency EUR - Euro (€) EUR - Euro (€) ARS - Argentine Peso ($) ZAR - South African Rand (R) EUR - Euro (€) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) USD - US Dollar ($) PAB - Panamanian Balboa (B/.)
Credit cards 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 everywhere Accepted almost everywhere but not in smaller shops.
Remote worker visa Yes Yes No No Yes Yes No Yes
Average monthly costs $2384 $2200 $1321 $1549 $1984 $1867 $5431 $2359
Rent $932 $939 $844 $618 $965 $778 $2891 $1036
Groceries $121 $188 $98 $129 $136 $281 $383 $236
Dining out $403 $271 $121 $269 $271 $182 $656 $371
Cafe $45 $57 $25 $32 $37 $49 $72 $43
Coworking space $213 $174 $95 $151 $164 $159 $326 $157
Mobile internet $10 $23 $11 $27 $24 $25 $45 $21
Public transportation $127 $88 $9 $55 $63 $11 $220 $12
Taxis $48 $58 $9 $21 $27 $9 $78 $48
Shared bicycles and scooters $24 $17 $14 $49 $18 $24 $30 $0
Sport and cultural events $81 $64 $24 $19 $29 $81 $100 $35
Museums and sights $33 $37 $4 $15 $24 $20 $74 $9
Nightlife $112 $63 $23 $43 $47 $64 $195 $117
Gym $81 $66 $14 $36 $65 $69 $55 $37
Yoga $93 $99 $19 $56 $65 $65 $197 $163
Massage $59 $56 $10 $30 $50 $51 $109 $75
SIM card options Vodafone, Movistar Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone Movistar, Claro, Personal MTN, Vodacom Vodafone Telcel, Movistar AT&T, Verizon Claro, Movistar
Tipping 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 15-20% at restaurants, 1 USD per drink at bars 10% in restaurants, round up elsewhere
Taxi apps Cabify, FreeNow Mytaxi, Uber Uber (not official), Cabify, BA Taxi (Spanish only) Uber, Bolt Uber, FreeNow Uber Uber, Lyft Uber, Tu Chofer
Tap water Drinkable Drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Drinkable Not drinkable 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 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 American. Emphasis on comfort and fast food, with some good seafood dishes. Influence from other regions of the US, North America and the world make NYC a cosmopolitan and international cuisine hub that is incredibly diverse. 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 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 Pizza, clam chowder, bagels, corned beef, pastrami, cheesecake, hot dogs, and hundred of other international food options. Sancocho de gallina, carimanola, empanadas, tamales panameños, tostones, ropa vieja
Eat like a local 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) Delis, local pizza shops, street food stalls and food trucks, food markets, local bakeries and smaller, authentic international cuisine restaurants Fondas (roadside stalls), smaller local restaurants, local markets, food trucks
Vegetarian / vegan options 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 309 options on HappyCow 7 options on HappyCow