Barcelona vs Buenos Aires vs Chiang Mai vs Hanoi vs Istanbul vs Mexico City vs Playa del Carmen

Barcelona 🇪🇸
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Buenos Aires 🇦🇷
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Chiang Mai 🇹🇭
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Hanoi 🇻🇳
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Mexico City 🇲🇽
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Playa del Carmen 🇲🇽
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Population 5,585,556 2,900,000 1,166,978 8,053,663 15,520,000 8,850,000 259,453
Official language(s) Catalan, Spanish Spanish Thai Vietnamese Turkish Spanish Spanish
Level of English High High Low Moderate Low Moderate Moderate
Main airport Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE) Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) Nội Bài International Airport (HAN) Istanbul Airport (IST) Mexico City International Airport (MEX) Cancun International Airport (CUN)
Most common months to visit April - June, September - November September - December November - April January, February, October - December April - June, September and October March - May, October, November January - May, October - December
Currency EUR - Euro (€) ARS - Argentine Peso ($) THB - Thai Baht (฿) VND - Vietnamese Dong (₫) TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) MXN - Mexican Peso ($)
Credit cards Accepted almost evewhere Accepted everywhere. (ID required!) Accepted sometimes. Cash preferred in many places. Accepted in some places. Cash often preferred. Accepted in most places Widely accepted (less with AMEX) Accepted almost everywhere
Remote worker visa Yes No No No No Yes Yes
Average monthly costs $2384 $1321 $974 $1167 $659 $1867 $2143
Rent $932 $844 $274 $503 $354 $778 $923
Groceries $121 $98 $169 $151 $44 $281 $127
Dining out $403 $121 $108 $134 $81 $182 $207
Cafe $45 $25 $45 $39 $18 $49 $42
Coworking space $213 $95 $95 $72 $49 $159 $160
Mobile internet $10 $11 $11 $4 $3 $25 $21
Public transportation $127 $9 $60 $20 $6 $11 $17
Taxis $48 $9 $20 $13 $6 $9 $9
Shared bicycles and scooters $24 $14 $10 $0 $2 $24 $49
Sport and cultural events $81 $24 $8 $3 $11 $81 $97
Museums and sights $33 $4 $8 $4 $15 $20 $217
Nightlife $112 $23 $62 $89 $22 $64 $77
Gym $81 $14 $41 $57 $9 $69 $42
Yoga $93 $19 $55 $57 $23 $65 $54
Massage $59 $10 $10 $21 $15 $51 $101
SIM card options Vodafone, Movistar Movistar, Claro, Personal AIS, DTAC Viettel, Mobifone Turkcell, Turk Telekom Telcel, Movistar Telcel, Movistar
Tipping 5-10% in restaurants if service is exceptional, not expected elsewhere 10% at restaurants and cafés is common, not common at bars 10% at restaurants, not customary or expected elsewhere Not required but appreciated, especially in taxis, restaurants and bars. Round up or add 10%. Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services 10-15% for restaurants
Taxi apps Cabify, FreeNow Uber (not official), Cabify, BA Taxi (Spanish only) Grab Grab, GoViet BiTaksi Uber N/A
Tap water Drinkable Not drinkable Not 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. Argentinian style with an emphasis on red meats, pastries, and Italian-inspired options Combines salty, sweet, spicy and sour flavors to create bold and colorful dishes. Meals typically include a mixture of meat and seafood dishes, as well as noodles or soups recipes. Strong emphasis on local spices and vegetables. A mix of French, Southeast Asian and Chinese with lots of fresh herbs and spices. Northern Vietnam cuisine includes a lot of fish and noodles. 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 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 Asado, empanadas (Argentinian style), locro, milanesa napolitana, facturas and alfajores Khao soi, khan toke, sai oua, miang kham, nam prik, khanom jeen nam ngiaw, larb khua Pho, cha ca, Vietnamese coffee, pastries and breads Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight Enchiladas, torta de chilaquiles, esquites, quesadillas, tlacoyos, tacos, tostadas Chilaquiles, tacos al pastor, chile rellenos, cochinita pibil, tostadas, pozole
Eat like a local Taverns, tapas bars, local markets, bodegas and street food spots Local restaurants serving asados grill-to-dish (Parrillas), markets (San Telmo, Recoleta) and local cafés for maté and facturas Street food stalls, local markets, bakeries and smaller, traditional restaurants that serve fresh food Noodle Houses, Bakeries, Coffee and Tea Houses, street food Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee Markets, food stalls, menú del día (cheap set lunch menus) Taco stands, esquite stalls, El Fogon, El Pirata, Dona Mary's
Vegetarian / vegan options 98 options on HappyCow 79 options on Happy Cow 90 options on HappyCow 104 listings on Happy Cow 59 listings on Happy Cow 279 listings on Happy Cow 72 listings on Happy Cow