Austin ๐บ๐ธ
|
Barcelona ๐ช๐ธ
|
Berlin ๐ฉ๐ช
|
Cape Town ๐ฟ๐ฆ
|
Lisbon ๐ต๐น
|
Mexico City ๐ฒ๐ฝ
|
Panama City ๐ต๐ฆ
|
|
Population | 926,426 | 5,585,556 | 3,400,000 | 4,617,560 | 517,000 | 8,850,000 | 880,691 |
Official language(s) | English (de facto) | Catalan, Spanish | German | Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English | Portuguese | Spanish | Spanish |
Level of English | Very high | High | Very high | Very high | Very high | Moderate | Low |
Main airport | Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) | Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) | Berlin Tegel (TXL) | 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 | March - May, September - November | March - May, September, October | March - May, October, November | December - April |
Currency | USD - US Dollar ($) | EUR - Euro (โฌ) | EUR - Euro (โฌ) | ZAR - South African Rand (R) | EUR - Euro (โฌ) | MXN - Mexican Peso ($) | PAB - Panamanian Balboa (B/.) |
Credit cards | Accepted almost everywhere | Accepted almost evewhere | Accepted in some places but cash often preferred | 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 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Average monthly costs | $3484 | $2384 | $2200 | $1549 | $1984 | $1867 | $2359 |
Rent | $1650 | $932 | $939 | $618 | $965 | $778 | $1036 |
Groceries | $243 | $121 | $188 | $129 | $136 | $281 | $236 |
Dining out | $396 | $403 | $271 | $269 | $271 | $182 | $371 |
Cafe | $66 | $45 | $57 | $32 | $37 | $49 | $43 |
Coworking space | $331 | $213 | $174 | $151 | $164 | $159 | $157 |
Mobile internet | $40 | $10 | $23 | $27 | $24 | $25 | $21 |
Public transportation | $110 | $127 | $88 | $55 | $63 | $11 | $12 |
Taxis | $73 | $48 | $58 | $21 | $27 | $9 | $48 |
Shared bicycles and scooters | $96 | $24 | $17 | $49 | $18 | $24 | $0 |
Sport and cultural events | $54 | $81 | $64 | $19 | $29 | $81 | $35 |
Museums and sights | $11 | $33 | $37 | $15 | $24 | $20 | $9 |
Nightlife | $124 | $112 | $63 | $43 | $47 | $64 | $117 |
Gym | $62 | $81 | $66 | $36 | $65 | $69 | $37 |
Yoga | $139 | $93 | $99 | $56 | $65 | $65 | $163 |
Massage | $89 | $59 | $56 | $30 | $50 | $51 | $75 |
SIM card options | AT&T, T-Mobile. | Vodafone, Movistar | Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone | 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 - 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, Bolt | Uber, FreeNow | Uber | Uber, Tu Chofer |
Tap water | Drinkable | Drinkable | 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 | 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 sautรฉed 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 tomรกquet, escalivada, crema Catalana, gazpacho, chorizo | Currywurst, spรคtzle, kรถnigsberger klopse, schnitzel, eisbein, doner kebab, pretzels | Bitlong and droewors, boerewors, Cape Malay curry, bobotie, melkert, gatsby, bunny chow | Bacalhau ร bras, sardinhas, petiscos, leitรฃo, polvo ร lagareiro, pasteis de nata, bifana | Enchiladas, torta de chilaquiles, esquites, quesadillas, tlacoyos, tacos, tostadas | Sancocho de gallina, carimanola, empanadas, tamales panameรฑos, 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 | Cape Malay shacks, food trucks, street food joints, local grills, small bakeries and food markets | Tascas, snack bars, seafood restaurants | Markets, food stalls, menรบ del dรญa (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 | 24 options on HappyCow | 401 listings on Happy Cow | 279 listings on Happy Cow | 7 options on HappyCow |