Austin 🇺🇸
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Barcelona 🇪🇸
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Berlin 🇩🇪
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Lisbon 🇵🇹
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Madrid 🇪🇸
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Medellin 🇨🇴
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Mexico City 🇲🇽
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Panama City 🇵🇦
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Population | 926,426 | 5,585,556 | 3,400,000 | 517,000 | 6,578,0179 | 2,427,000 | 8,850,000 | 880,691 |
Official language(s) | English (de facto) | Catalan, Spanish | German | Portuguese | Spanish | Spanish | Spanish | Spanish |
Level of English | Very high | High | Very high | Very high | Moderate | Low | Moderate | Low |
Main airport | Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) | Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) | Berlin Tegel (TXL) | Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) | Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) | José MarÃa Córdova International Airport (MDE) | 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, October | March - May, September - November | January - April, December | March - May, October, November | December - April |
Currency | USD - US Dollar ($) | EUR - Euro (€) | EUR - Euro (€) | EUR - Euro (€) | EUR - Euro (€) | COP - Colombian Peso ($) | 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 (less for AMEX) | Accepted everywhere | Accepted in some places | Widely accepted (less with AMEX) | Accepted almost everywhere but not in smaller shops. |
Remote worker visa | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
Average monthly costs | $3484 | $2384 | $2200 | $1984 | $2498 | $1293 | $1867 | $2359 |
Rent | $1650 | $932 | $939 | $965 | $1174 | $732 | $778 | $1036 |
Groceries | $243 | $121 | $188 | $136 | $175 | $87 | $281 | $236 |
Dining out | $396 | $403 | $271 | $271 | $313 | $131 | $182 | $371 |
Cafe | $66 | $45 | $57 | $37 | $51 | $18 | $49 | $43 |
Coworking space | $331 | $213 | $174 | $164 | $196 | $96 | $159 | $157 |
Mobile internet | $40 | $10 | $23 | $24 | $10 | $16 | $25 | $21 |
Public transportation | $110 | $127 | $88 | $63 | $78 | $21 | $11 | $12 |
Taxis | $73 | $48 | $58 | $27 | $44 | $14 | $9 | $48 |
Shared bicycles and scooters | $96 | $24 | $17 | $18 | $49 | $0 | $24 | $0 |
Sport and cultural events | $54 | $81 | $64 | $29 | $54 | $8 | $81 | $35 |
Museums and sights | $11 | $33 | $37 | $24 | $20 | $9 | $20 | $9 |
Nightlife | $124 | $112 | $63 | $47 | $82 | $73 | $64 | $117 |
Gym | $62 | $81 | $66 | $65 | $44 | $15 | $69 | $37 |
Yoga | $139 | $93 | $99 | $65 | $142 | $54 | $65 | $163 |
Massage | $89 | $59 | $56 | $50 | $64 | $20 | $51 | $75 |
SIM card options | AT&T, T-Mobile. | Vodafone, Movistar | Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone | Vodafone | Orange, Movistar, Vodafone | Claro, Tigo | 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 | 5-10% for restaurants, not common at bars | Not customary or expected but small tips are appreciated. | Tip 10% in restaurants | 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services | 10% in restaurants, round up elsewhere |
Taxi apps | Uber, Lyft | Cabify, FreeNow | Mytaxi, Uber | Uber, FreeNow | Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now | EasyTaxi | Uber | Uber, Tu Chofer |
Tap water | Drinkable | Drinkable | Drinkable | Drinkable | Drinkable | Not 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 | Fresh seafood, meats, soup, sausages and famous pastries | Fresh, regional produce accentuated with garlic and olive oil and mixed with various meats and seafoods. Influenced both by Mediterranean and Middle-Eastern flavors. | 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. |
Local food specialities | Frito pie, queso, apple pie, kolaches, BBQ ribs, tacos | Paella, bombas, esqueixada, pa amb tomáquet, escalivada, crema Catalana, gazpacho, chorizo | Currywurst, spätzle, königsberger klopse, schnitzel, eisbein, doner kebab, pretzels | Bacalhau à bras, sardinhas, petiscos, leitão, polvo à lagareiro, pasteis de nata, bifana | Paella, tapas, tortilla, gazpacho, pulpo a la gallega, callos a la madrileña, churros | 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 |
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 | Tascas, snack bars, seafood restaurants | 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! | Street stalls for empanada and arepa with cheese, restaurants for traditional Colombian food | Markets, food stalls, menú del dÃa (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 | 401 listings on Happy Cow | 85 listings on Happy Cow | 153 listings on Happy Cow | 279 listings on Happy Cow | 7 options on HappyCow |