Barcelona vs Berlin vs Cape Town vs Lisbon vs Medellin vs Mexico City vs Panama City vs Playa del Carmen

Barcelona 🇪🇸
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Berlin 🇩🇪
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Cape Town 🇿🇦
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Lisbon 🇵🇹
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Medellin 🇨🇴
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Mexico City 🇲🇽
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Panama City 🇵🇦
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Playa del Carmen 🇲🇽
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Population 5,585,556 3,400,000 4,617,560 517,000 2,427,000 8,850,000 880,691 259,453
Official language(s) Catalan, Spanish German Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English Portuguese Spanish Spanish Spanish Spanish
Level of English High Very high Very high Very high Low Moderate Low Moderate
Main airport Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) Berlin Tegel (TXL) Cape Town International Airport (CPT) Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) José María Córdova International Airport (MDE) Mexico City International Airport (MEX) Tocumen International Airport (PTY) Cancun International Airport (CUN)
Most common months to visit April - June, September - November May - September March - May, September - November March - May, September, October January - April, December March - May, October, November December - April January - May, October - December
Currency EUR - Euro (€) EUR - Euro (€) ZAR - South African Rand (R) EUR - Euro (€) COP - Colombian Peso ($) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) PAB - Panamanian Balboa (B/.) 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 almost everywhere (less for AMEX) Accepted in some places Widely accepted (less with AMEX) Accepted almost everywhere but not in smaller shops. Accepted almost everywhere
Remote worker visa Yes Yes No Yes No Yes Yes Yes
Average monthly costs $2384 $2200 $1549 $1984 $1293 $1867 $2359 $2143
Rent $932 $939 $618 $965 $732 $778 $1036 $923
Groceries $121 $188 $129 $136 $87 $281 $236 $127
Dining out $403 $271 $269 $271 $131 $182 $371 $207
Cafe $45 $57 $32 $37 $18 $49 $43 $42
Coworking space $213 $174 $151 $164 $96 $159 $157 $160
Mobile internet $10 $23 $27 $24 $16 $25 $21 $21
Public transportation $127 $88 $55 $63 $21 $11 $12 $17
Taxis $48 $58 $21 $27 $14 $9 $48 $9
Shared bicycles and scooters $24 $17 $49 $18 $0 $24 $0 $49
Sport and cultural events $81 $64 $19 $29 $8 $81 $35 $97
Museums and sights $33 $37 $15 $24 $9 $20 $9 $217
Nightlife $112 $63 $43 $47 $73 $64 $117 $77
Gym $81 $66 $36 $65 $15 $69 $37 $42
Yoga $93 $99 $56 $65 $54 $65 $163 $54
Massage $59 $56 $30 $50 $20 $51 $75 $101
SIM card options Vodafone, Movistar Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone MTN, Vodacom Vodafone Claro, Tigo Telcel, Movistar Claro, Movistar 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 5-10% for restaurants, not common at bars Tip 10% in restaurants 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services 10% in restaurants, round up elsewhere 10-15% for restaurants
Taxi apps Cabify, FreeNow Mytaxi, Uber Uber, Bolt Uber, FreeNow EasyTaxi Uber Uber, Tu Chofer N/A
Tap water Drinkable Drinkable Not drinkable Drinkable Not 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. Fresh seafood, meats, soup, sausages and famous pastries A blend of indigenous and European traditions with rice, maize, cassava, assorted legumes, and meats 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. 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 Bacalhau à bras, sardinhas, petiscos, leitão, polvo à lagareiro, pasteis de nata, bifana Bandeja paisa, ajiaco, mondongo, empanada, and arepa Enchiladas, torta de chilaquiles, esquites, quesadillas, tlacoyos, tacos, tostadas Sancocho de gallina, carimanola, empanadas, tamales panameños, tostones, ropa vieja 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 Tascas, snack bars, seafood restaurants Street stalls for empanada and arepa with cheese, restaurants for traditional Colombian food Markets, food stalls, menú del día (cheap set lunch menus) Fondas (roadside stalls), smaller local restaurants, local markets, food trucks 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 401 listings on Happy Cow 153 listings on Happy Cow 279 listings on Happy Cow 7 options on HappyCow 72 listings on Happy Cow