Barcelona 🇪🇸
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Berlin 🇩🇪
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Cape Town 🇿🇦
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Madrid 🇪🇸
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Panama City 🇵🇦
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Playa del Carmen 🇲🇽
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Ubud 🇮🇩
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Population | 5,585,556 | 3,400,000 | 4,617,560 | 15,520,000 | 6,578,0179 | 880,691 | 259,453 | 112,490 |
Official language(s) | Catalan, Spanish | German | Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English | Turkish | Spanish | Spanish | Spanish | Indonesian and Balinese |
Level of English | High | Very high | Very high | Low | Moderate | Low | Moderate | Low |
Main airport | Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) | Berlin Tegel (TXL) | Cape Town International Airport (CPT) | Istanbul Airport (IST) | Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) | Tocumen International Airport (PTY) | Cancun International Airport (CUN) | Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPA) |
Most common months to visit | April - June, September - November | May - September | March - May, September - November | April - June, September and October | March - May, September - November | December - April | January - May, October - December | May - October |
Currency | EUR - Euro (€) | EUR - Euro (€) | ZAR - South African Rand (R) | TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) | EUR - Euro (€) | PAB - Panamanian Balboa (B/.) | MXN - Mexican Peso ($) | IDR - Indonesian Rupiah (Rp) |
Credit cards | Accepted almost evewhere | Accepted in some places but cash often preferred | Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops | Accepted in most places | Accepted everywhere | Accepted almost everywhere but not in smaller shops. | Accepted almost everywhere | Accepted in some places |
Remote worker visa | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Average monthly costs | $2384 | $2200 | $1549 | $659 | $2498 | $2359 | $2143 | $1363 |
Rent | $932 | $939 | $618 | $354 | $1174 | $1036 | $923 | $658 |
Groceries | $121 | $188 | $129 | $44 | $175 | $236 | $127 | $150 |
Dining out | $403 | $271 | $269 | $81 | $313 | $371 | $207 | $10 |
Cafe | $45 | $57 | $32 | $18 | $51 | $43 | $42 | $28 |
Coworking space | $213 | $174 | $151 | $49 | $196 | $157 | $160 | $106 |
Mobile internet | $10 | $23 | $27 | $3 | $10 | $21 | $21 | $3 |
Public transportation | $127 | $88 | $55 | $6 | $78 | $12 | $17 | $53 |
Taxis | $48 | $58 | $21 | $6 | $44 | $48 | $9 | $13 |
Shared bicycles and scooters | $24 | $17 | $49 | $2 | $49 | $0 | $49 | $33 |
Sport and cultural events | $81 | $64 | $19 | $11 | $54 | $35 | $97 | $14 |
Museums and sights | $33 | $37 | $15 | $15 | $20 | $9 | $217 | $9 |
Nightlife | $112 | $63 | $43 | $22 | $82 | $117 | $77 | $118 |
Gym | $81 | $66 | $36 | $9 | $44 | $37 | $42 | $72 |
Yoga | $93 | $99 | $56 | $23 | $142 | $163 | $54 | $87 |
Massage | $59 | $56 | $30 | $15 | $64 | $75 | $101 | $10 |
SIM card options | Vodafone, Movistar | Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone | MTN, Vodacom | Turkcell, Turk Telekom | Orange, Movistar, Vodafone | Claro, Movistar | 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 | 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere | Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars | Not customary or expected but small tips are appreciated. | 10% in restaurants, round up elsewhere | 10-15% for restaurants | Tip 5 - 10% in restaurants if service charge is not included in the bill |
Taxi apps | Cabify, FreeNow | Mytaxi, Uber | Uber, Bolt | BiTaksi | Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now | Uber, Tu Chofer | 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 | 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. | A fusion of cultures creates diverse dishes with bulgur, koftes, stews, eggplants and fish | Fresh, regional produce accentuated with garlic and olive oil and mixed with various meats and seafoods. Influenced both by Mediterranean and Middle-Eastern flavors. | 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. | 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 | Bitlong and droewors, boerewors, Cape Malay curry, bobotie, melkert, gatsby, bunny chow | Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight | Paella, tapas, tortilla, gazpacho, pulpo a la gallega, callos a la madrileña, churros | Sancocho de gallina, carimanola, empanadas, tamales panameños, tostones, ropa vieja | 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 | Cape Malay shacks, food trucks, street food joints, local grills, small bakeries and food markets | Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee | 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! | Fondas (roadside stalls), smaller local restaurants, local markets, food trucks | 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 | 24 options on HappyCow | 59 listings on Happy Cow | 85 listings on Happy Cow | 7 options on HappyCow | 72 listings on Happy Cow | 255 listings on Happy Cow |