Barcelona vs Budapest vs Buenos Aires vs Mexico City vs Rio de Janeiro

Barcelona 🇪🇸
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Budapest 🇭🇺
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Buenos Aires 🇦🇷
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Mexico City 🇲🇽
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Rio de Janeiro 🇧🇷
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Population 5,585,556 1,768,073 2,900,000 8,850,000 6,718,903
Official language(s) Catalan, Spanish Hungarian Spanish Spanish Portuguese
Level of English High High High Moderate Low
Main airport Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) Budapest Ferihegy International Airport (BUD) Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE) Mexico City International Airport (MEX) Galeão International Airport
Most common months to visit April - June, September - November March - June, September - November September - December March - May, October, November January - March, December
Currency EUR - Euro (€) HUF - Hungarian Forint (Ft) ARS - Argentine Peso ($) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) BRL - Brazilian Real (R$)
Credit cards Accepted almost evewhere Accepted almost everywhere, cash needed for small shops Accepted everywhere. (ID required!) Widely accepted (less with AMEX) Accepted everywhere
Remote worker visa Yes No No Yes No
Average monthly costs $2384 $1230 $1321 $1867 $1833
Rent $932 $499 $844 $778 $1066
Groceries $121 $108 $98 $281 $95
Dining out $403 $202 $121 $182 $210
Cafe $45 $29 $25 $49 $25
Coworking space $213 $120 $95 $159 $130
Mobile internet $10 $9 $11 $25 $7
Public transportation $127 $36 $9 $11 $33
Taxis $48 $27 $9 $9 $14
Shared bicycles and scooters $24 $13 $14 $24 $16
Sport and cultural events $81 $24 $24 $81 $55
Museums and sights $33 $7 $4 $20 $26
Nightlife $112 $43 $23 $64 $54
Gym $81 $37 $14 $69 $31
Yoga $93 $48 $19 $65 $40
Massage $59 $26 $10 $51 $32
SIM card options Vodafone, Movistar Vodafone, Telenor Movistar, Claro, Personal Telcel, Movistar Tim, Claro, Vivo
Tipping 5-10% in restaurants if service is exceptional, not expected elsewhere 10 - 15% at restaurants and bars 10% at restaurants and cafés is common, not common at bars 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services 10% usually included in restaurants, 10% at bars and cafes with table service is common
Taxi apps Cabify, FreeNow Bolt, Fotaxi Uber (not official), Cabify, BA Taxi (Spanish only) Uber Easy Taxi, 99 Taxi, Uber
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. Magyar cuisine makes extensive use of creams, cheeses and sauces primarily in beef, chicken and pork dishes, mixed with seasonal vegetables, fruits and rich desserts. Argentinian style with an emphasis on red meats, pastries, and Italian-inspired options Corn, beans, tortillas and chili peppers typically alongside meat and cheese Emphasis on rice, beans, pork and beef with a variety of root vegetables and fresh fruits. Fresh seafood is also very common.
Local food specialities Paella, bombas, esqueixada, pa amb tomáquet, escalivada, crema Catalana, gazpacho, chorizo Goulash, Fisherman's soup, Főzelék, Somloi Galuska, Pörkölt and Paprikás, Kürtös Kalács, Hungarian Lecsó, Lángos Asado, empanadas (Argentinian style), locro, milanesa napolitana, facturas and alfajores Enchiladas, torta de chilaquiles, esquites, quesadillas, tlacoyos, tacos, tostadas Feijoada, bolinho de bacalhau, fried sardines, caldo verde, pao de queijo and brigadeiros.
Eat like a local Taverns, tapas bars, local markets, bodegas and street food spots Local markets, cafés, taverns, street food, traditional restaurants Local restaurants serving asados grill-to-dish (Parrillas), markets (San Telmo, Recoleta) and local cafés for maté and facturas Markets, food stalls, menú del día (cheap set lunch menus) The "snack capital" of Brazil, Rio is a perfect place to try street food as well as the wide varieties of small, traditional eateries and churrascarias easily found across the city.
Vegetarian / vegan options 98 options on HappyCow 47 options on HappyCow 79 options on Happy Cow 279 listings on Happy Cow 54 options on Happy Cow