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Barcelona 🇪🇸
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Berlin 🇩🇪
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Cape Town 🇿🇦
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Playa del Carmen 🇲🇽
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| Population | 5,585,556 | 3,400,000 | 4,617,560 | 15,520,000 | 259,453 |
| Official language(s) | Catalan, Spanish | German | Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English | Turkish | Spanish |
| Level of English | High | Very high | Very high | Low | Moderate |
| Main airport | Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) | Berlin Tegel (TXL) | Cape Town International Airport (CPT) | Istanbul Airport (IST) | Cancun International Airport (CUN) |
| Most common months to visit | April - June, September - November | May - September | March - May, September - November | April - June, September and October | January - May, October - December |
| Currency | EUR - Euro (€) | EUR - Euro (€) | ZAR - South African Rand (R) | TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) | MXN - Mexican Peso ($) |
| 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 almost everywhere |
| Remote worker visa | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Average monthly costs | $2384 | $2200 | $1549 | $659 | $2143 |
| Rent | $932 | $939 | $618 | $354 | $923 |
| Groceries | $121 | $188 | $129 | $44 | $127 |
| Dining out | $403 | $271 | $269 | $81 | $207 |
| Cafe | $45 | $57 | $32 | $18 | $42 |
| Coworking space | $213 | $174 | $151 | $49 | $160 |
| Mobile internet | $10 | $23 | $27 | $3 | $21 |
| Public transportation | $127 | $88 | $55 | $6 | $17 |
| Taxis | $48 | $58 | $21 | $6 | $9 |
| Shared bicycles and scooters | $24 | $17 | $49 | $2 | $49 |
| Sport and cultural events | $81 | $64 | $19 | $11 | $97 |
| Museums and sights | $33 | $37 | $15 | $15 | $217 |
| Nightlife | $112 | $63 | $43 | $22 | $77 |
| Gym | $81 | $66 | $36 | $9 | $42 |
| Yoga | $93 | $99 | $56 | $23 | $54 |
| Massage | $59 | $56 | $30 | $15 | $101 |
| SIM card options | Vodafone, Movistar | Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone | MTN, Vodacom | Turkcell, Turk Telekom | Telcel, Movistar |
| 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 | 10-15% for restaurants |
| Taxi apps | Cabify, FreeNow | Mytaxi, Uber | Uber, Bolt | BiTaksi | N/A |
| Tap water | 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 | Staple dishes from maize, beans, sweet potato and avocado along with meat, chili peppers and other spices |
| 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 | Chilaquiles, tacos al pastor, chile rellenos, cochinita pibil, tostadas, pozole |
| 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 | Taco stands, esquite stalls, El Fogon, El Pirata, Dona Mary's |
| Vegetarian / vegan options | 98 options on HappyCow | 844 listings on Happy Cow | 24 options on HappyCow | 59 listings on Happy Cow | 72 listings on Happy Cow |