Barcelona ๐ช๐ธ
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Buenos Aires ๐ฆ๐ท
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Chiang Mai ๐น๐ญ
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Larnaca ๐จ๐พ
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Medellin ๐จ๐ด
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Mexico City ๐ฒ๐ฝ
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Playa del Carmen ๐ฒ๐ฝ
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Population | 5,585,556 | 2,900,000 | 1,166,978 | 144,900 | 2,427,000 | 8,850,000 | 259,453 |
Official language(s) | Catalan, Spanish | Spanish | Thai | Greek | Spanish | Spanish | Spanish |
Level of English | High | High | Low | High | Low | Moderate | Moderate |
Main airport | Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) | Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE) | Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) | Larnaca International Airport (LCA) | Josรฉ Marรญa Cรณrdova International Airport (MDE) | Mexico City International Airport (MEX) | Cancun International Airport (CUN) |
Most common months to visit | April - June, September - November | September - December | November - April | March - May, October - December | January - April, December | March - May, October, November | January - May, October - December |
Currency | EUR - Euro (โฌ) | ARS - Argentine Peso ($) | THB - Thai Baht (เธฟ) | EUR - Euro (โฌ) | COP - Colombian Peso ($) | MXN - Mexican Peso ($) | MXN - Mexican Peso ($) |
Credit cards | Accepted almost evewhere | Accepted everywhere. (ID required!) | Accepted sometimes. Cash preferred in many places. | Accepted everywhere | Accepted in some 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 | $1959 | $1293 | $1867 | $2143 |
Rent | $932 | $844 | $274 | $678 | $732 | $778 | $923 |
Groceries | $121 | $98 | $169 | $157 | $87 | $281 | $127 |
Dining out | $403 | $121 | $108 | $261 | $131 | $182 | $207 |
Cafe | $45 | $25 | $45 | $56 | $18 | $49 | $42 |
Coworking space | $213 | $95 | $95 | $209 | $96 | $159 | $160 |
Mobile internet | $10 | $11 | $11 | $35 | $16 | $25 | $21 |
Public transportation | $127 | $9 | $60 | $63 | $21 | $11 | $17 |
Taxis | $48 | $9 | $20 | $42 | $14 | $9 | $9 |
Shared bicycles and scooters | $24 | $14 | $10 | $45 | $0 | $24 | $49 |
Sport and cultural events | $81 | $24 | $8 | $28 | $8 | $81 | $97 |
Museums and sights | $33 | $4 | $8 | $8 | $9 | $20 | $217 |
Nightlife | $112 | $23 | $62 | $110 | $73 | $64 | $77 |
Gym | $81 | $14 | $41 | $107 | $15 | $69 | $42 |
Yoga | $93 | $19 | $55 | $105 | $54 | $65 | $54 |
Massage | $59 | $10 | $10 | $54 | $20 | $51 | $101 |
SIM card options | Vodafone, Movistar | Movistar, Claro, Personal | AIS, DTAC | Primetel, Cytamobile-Vodafone and Epic/MTN | Claro, Tigo | Telcel, Movistar | Telcel, Movistar |
Tipping | 5-10% in restaurants if service is exceptional, not expected elsewhere | 10% at restaurants and cafรฉs is common, not common at bars | 10% at restaurants, not customary or expected elsewhere | 10% usually added and expected at restaurants, round up at bars | Tip 10% in restaurants | 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services | 10-15% for restaurants |
Taxi apps | Cabify, FreeNow | Uber (not official), Cabify, BA Taxi (Spanish only) | Grab | nTaxi | EasyTaxi | 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. | Mediterranean style with emphasis on seafood, meats, olives, cheesed and traditional sauces. Some food with Middle Eastern influences as well.. | 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 | 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 tomรกquet, 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 | Souvlaki, sheftalia, kleftiko, stifado, halloumi, koukepia and moussaka | Bandeja paisa, ajiaco, mondongo, empanada, and arepa | 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 cafรฉs for matรฉ and facturas | Street food stalls, local markets, bakeries and smaller, traditional restaurants that serve fresh food | Opt for smaller, outside eateries and taverns serving traditional foods. Fast food kebab shops and falafel bars offer authentic options, too. | Street stalls for empanada and arepa with cheese, restaurants for traditional Colombian food | Markets, food stalls, menรบ del dรญa (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 | 14 options on HappyCow, but non-meat Mediterranean/Middle Eastern options are always available | 153 listings on Happy Cow | 279 listings on Happy Cow | 72 listings on Happy Cow |