Barcelona vs Buenos Aires vs Cape Town vs Chiang Mai vs Mexico City vs Playa del Carmen

Barcelona ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ
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Buenos Aires ๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ท
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Cape Town ๐Ÿ‡ฟ๐Ÿ‡ฆ
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Chiang Mai ๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ญ
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Mexico City ๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ
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Playa del Carmen ๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ
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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 (โ‚ฌ) 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