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

Barcelona 🇪🇸
Remove
Berlin 🇩🇪
Remove
Buenos Aires 🇦🇷
Remove
Cape Town 🇿🇦
Remove
Lisbon 🇵🇹
Remove
Mexico City 🇲🇽
Remove
Panama City 🇵🇦
Remove
Seoul 🇰🇷
Remove
Population 5,585,556 3,400,000 2,900,000 4,617,560 517,000 8,850,000 880,691 9,963,452
Official language(s) Catalan, Spanish German Spanish Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English Portuguese Spanish Spanish Korean
Level of English High Very high High Very high Very high Moderate Low Moderate
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) Tocumen International Airport (PTY) Incheon International Airport (ICN)
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 December - April March - May, September - November
Currency EUR - Euro (€) EUR - Euro (€) ARS - Argentine Peso ($) ZAR - South African Rand (R) EUR - Euro (€) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) PAB - Panamanian Balboa (B/.) KRW - South Korean won (₩)
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 almost everywhere but not in smaller shops. Accepted everywhere
Remote worker visa Yes Yes No No Yes Yes Yes No
Average monthly costs $2384 $2200 $1321 $1549 $1984 $1867 $2359 $2184
Rent $932 $939 $844 $618 $965 $778 $1036 $797
Groceries $121 $188 $98 $129 $136 $281 $236 $356
Dining out $403 $271 $121 $269 $271 $182 $371 $211
Cafe $45 $57 $25 $32 $37 $49 $43 $69
Coworking space $213 $174 $95 $151 $164 $159 $157 $222
Mobile internet $10 $23 $11 $27 $24 $25 $21 $40
Public transportation $127 $88 $9 $55 $63 $11 $12 $40
Taxis $48 $58 $9 $21 $27 $9 $48 $41
Shared bicycles and scooters $24 $17 $14 $49 $18 $24 $0 $13
Sport and cultural events $81 $64 $24 $19 $29 $81 $35 $39
Museums and sights $33 $37 $4 $15 $24 $20 $9 $6
Nightlife $112 $63 $23 $43 $47 $64 $117 $93
Gym $81 $66 $14 $36 $65 $69 $37 $69
Yoga $93 $99 $19 $56 $65 $65 $163 $112
Massage $59 $56 $10 $30 $50 $51 $75 $75
SIM card options Vodafone, Movistar Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone Movistar, Claro, Personal MTN, Vodacom Vodafone Telcel, Movistar Claro, Movistar KT, SK Telecom, LG Uplus
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 10% in restaurants, round up elsewhere Not customary or expected
Taxi apps Cabify, FreeNow Mytaxi, Uber Uber (not official), Cabify, BA Taxi (Spanish only) Uber, Bolt Uber, FreeNow Uber Uber, Tu Chofer Uber, Kakao
Tap water Drinkable Drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable 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 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. Emphasis on rice, vegetables, spices and meats. Main dishes are coupled with diverse side dishes and desserts. Strong driking culture.
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 Sancocho de gallina, carimanola, empanadas, tamales panameños, tostones, ropa vieja Kimchi, bulgogi, chap chae, mandu, sam gae tang, bossam
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) Fondas (roadside stalls), smaller local restaurants, local markets, food trucks Smaller, local eateries (sikdang), street stalls and local markets
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 7 options on HappyCow 57 options on Happy Cow