Barcelona ๐ช๐ธ
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Buenos Aires ๐ฆ๐ท
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Cape Town ๐ฟ๐ฆ
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Chiang Mai ๐น๐ญ
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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 | 4,617,560 | 1,166,978 | 8,850,000 | 259,453 |
Official language(s) | Catalan, Spanish | Spanish | Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English | Thai | Spanish | Spanish |
Level of English | High | High | Very high | Low | Moderate | Moderate |
Main airport | Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) | Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE) | Cape Town International Airport (CPT) | Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) | Mexico City International Airport (MEX) | Cancun International Airport (CUN) |
Most common months to visit | April - June, September - November | September - December | March - May, September - November | November - April | March - May, October, November | January - May, October - December |
Currency | EUR - Euro (โฌ) | ARS - Argentine Peso ($) | ZAR - South African Rand (R) | THB - Thai Baht (เธฟ) | MXN - Mexican Peso ($) | MXN - Mexican Peso ($) |
Credit cards | Accepted almost evewhere | Accepted everywhere. (ID required!) | Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops | Accepted sometimes. Cash preferred in many places. | Widely accepted (less with AMEX) | Accepted almost everywhere |
Remote worker visa | Yes | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
Average monthly costs | $2384 | $1321 | $1549 | $974 | $1867 | $2143 |
Rent | $932 | $844 | $618 | $274 | $778 | $923 |
Groceries | $121 | $98 | $129 | $169 | $281 | $127 |
Dining out | $403 | $121 | $269 | $108 | $182 | $207 |
Cafe | $45 | $25 | $32 | $45 | $49 | $42 |
Coworking space | $213 | $95 | $151 | $95 | $159 | $160 |
Mobile internet | $10 | $11 | $27 | $11 | $25 | $21 |
Public transportation | $127 | $9 | $55 | $60 | $11 | $17 |
Taxis | $48 | $9 | $21 | $20 | $9 | $9 |
Shared bicycles and scooters | $24 | $14 | $49 | $10 | $24 | $49 |
Sport and cultural events | $81 | $24 | $19 | $8 | $81 | $97 |
Museums and sights | $33 | $4 | $15 | $8 | $20 | $217 |
Nightlife | $112 | $23 | $43 | $62 | $64 | $77 |
Gym | $81 | $14 | $36 | $41 | $69 | $42 |
Yoga | $93 | $19 | $56 | $55 | $65 | $54 |
Massage | $59 | $10 | $30 | $10 | $51 | $101 |
SIM card options | Vodafone, Movistar | Movistar, Claro, Personal | MTN, Vodacom | AIS, DTAC | 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 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere | 10% at restaurants, not customary or expected elsewhere | 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services | 10-15% for restaurants |
Taxi apps | Cabify, FreeNow | Uber (not official), Cabify, BA Taxi (Spanish only) | Uber, Bolt | Grab | Uber | N/A |
Tap water | 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 | South African cuisine has been shaped by a long history of Dutch, Malay, British and Indian settlements, making the food diverse and strong in flavor. There is a strong emphasis on game in all of its different forms, as well as spicy sauces and sautรฉed vegetables and dry-cured meats. Creamy desserts and liqueurs compliment large and flavorful meals. | 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. | 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 | Bitlong and droewors, boerewors, Cape Malay curry, bobotie, melkert, gatsby, bunny chow | Khao soi, khan toke, sai oua, miang kham, nam prik, khanom jeen nam ngiaw, larb khua | 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 | Cape Malay shacks, food trucks, street food joints, local grills, small bakeries and food markets | Street food stalls, local markets, bakeries and smaller, traditional restaurants that serve fresh 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 | 24 options on HappyCow | 90 options on HappyCow | 279 listings on Happy Cow | 72 listings on Happy Cow |