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

Barcelona 🇪🇸
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Budapest 🇭🇺
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Buenos Aires 🇦🇷
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Mexico City 🇲🇽
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Rio de Janeiro 🇧🇷
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Valencia 🇪🇸
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Population 5,585,556 1,768,073 2,900,000 15,520,000 8,850,000 6,718,903 834,000
Official language(s) Catalan, Spanish Hungarian Spanish Turkish Spanish Portuguese Spanish, Valencian
Level of English High High High Low Moderate Low Moderate
Main airport Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) Budapest Ferihegy International Airport (BUD) Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE) Istanbul Airport (IST) Mexico City International Airport (MEX) Galeão International Airport Valencia Manises Airport (VLC)
Most common months to visit April - June, September - November March - June, September - November September - December April - June, September and October March - May, October, November January - March, December March - June, September, October
Currency EUR - Euro (€) HUF - Hungarian Forint (Ft) ARS - Argentine Peso ($) TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) BRL - Brazilian Real (R$) EUR - Euro (€)
Credit cards Accepted almost evewhere Accepted almost everywhere, cash needed for small shops Accepted everywhere. (ID required!) Accepted in most places Widely accepted (less with AMEX) Accepted everywhere Accepted almost everywhere
Remote worker visa Yes No No No Yes No Yes
Average monthly costs $2384 $1230 $1321 $659 $1867 $1833 $1976
Rent $932 $499 $844 $354 $778 $1066 $869
Groceries $121 $108 $98 $44 $281 $95 $146
Dining out $403 $202 $121 $81 $182 $210 $292
Cafe $45 $29 $25 $18 $49 $25 $42
Coworking space $213 $120 $95 $49 $159 $130 $152
Mobile internet $10 $9 $11 $3 $25 $7 $16
Public transportation $127 $36 $9 $6 $11 $33 $38
Taxis $48 $27 $9 $6 $9 $14 $42
Shared bicycles and scooters $24 $13 $14 $2 $24 $16 $30
Sport and cultural events $81 $24 $24 $11 $81 $55 $73
Museums and sights $33 $7 $4 $15 $20 $26 $44
Nightlife $112 $43 $23 $22 $64 $54 $66
Gym $81 $37 $14 $9 $69 $31 $34
Yoga $93 $48 $19 $23 $65 $40 $87
Massage $59 $26 $10 $15 $51 $32 $45
SIM card options Vodafone, Movistar Vodafone, Telenor Movistar, Claro, Personal Turkcell, Turk Telekom Telcel, Movistar Tim, Claro, Vivo Vodafone, Orange
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 Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services 10% usually included in restaurants, 10% at bars and cafes with table service is common Round up for good service at restaurants, not common at bars
Taxi apps Cabify, FreeNow Bolt, Fotaxi Uber (not official), Cabify, BA Taxi (Spanish only) BiTaksi Uber Easy Taxi, 99 Taxi, Uber Cabify, FreeNow
Tap water Drinkable Drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable 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 A fusion of cultures creates diverse dishes with bulgur, koftes, stews, eggplants and fish 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. Mediterranean style using vegetables, seafoods and meats
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 Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight Enchiladas, torta de chilaquiles, esquites, quesadillas, tlacoyos, tacos, tostadas Feijoada, bolinho de bacalhau, fried sardines, caldo verde, pao de queijo and brigadeiros. Paella, fideuà, esgarrat, orxata, bunyols
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 Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee 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. Tapas bars, markets, menu del dia (cheap set lunches)
Vegetarian / vegan options 98 options on HappyCow 47 options on HappyCow 79 options on Happy Cow 59 listings on Happy Cow 279 listings on Happy Cow 54 options on Happy Cow 98 listings on Happy Cow