Barcelona vs Buenos Aires vs Istanbul vs Medellin vs Playa del Carmen

Barcelona 🇪🇸
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Buenos Aires 🇦🇷
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Medellin 🇨🇴
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Playa del Carmen 🇲🇽
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Population 5,585,556 2,900,000 15,520,000 2,427,000 259,453
Official language(s) Catalan, Spanish Spanish Turkish Spanish Spanish
Level of English High High Low Low Moderate
Main airport Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE) Istanbul Airport (IST) José María Córdova International Airport (MDE) Cancun International Airport (CUN)
Most common months to visit April - June, September - November September - December April - June, September and October January - April, December January - May, October - December
Currency EUR - Euro (€) ARS - Argentine Peso ($) TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) COP - Colombian Peso ($) MXN - Mexican Peso ($)
Credit cards Accepted almost evewhere Accepted everywhere. (ID required!) Accepted in most places Accepted in some places Accepted almost everywhere
Remote worker visa Yes No No No Yes
Average monthly costs $2384 $1321 $659 $1293 $2143
Rent $932 $844 $354 $732 $923
Groceries $121 $98 $44 $87 $127
Dining out $403 $121 $81 $131 $207
Cafe $45 $25 $18 $18 $42
Coworking space $213 $95 $49 $96 $160
Mobile internet $10 $11 $3 $16 $21
Public transportation $127 $9 $6 $21 $17
Taxis $48 $9 $6 $14 $9
Shared bicycles and scooters $24 $14 $2 $0 $49
Sport and cultural events $81 $24 $11 $8 $97
Museums and sights $33 $4 $15 $9 $217
Nightlife $112 $23 $22 $73 $77
Gym $81 $14 $9 $15 $42
Yoga $93 $19 $23 $54 $54
Massage $59 $10 $15 $20 $101
SIM card options Vodafone, Movistar Movistar, Claro, Personal Turkcell, Turk Telekom Claro, Tigo 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 Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars Tip 10% in restaurants 10-15% for restaurants
Taxi apps Cabify, FreeNow Uber (not official), Cabify, BA Taxi (Spanish only) BiTaksi EasyTaxi N/A
Tap water 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 A fusion of cultures creates diverse dishes with bulgur, koftes, stews, eggplants and fish A blend of indigenous and European traditions with rice, maize, cassava, assorted legumes, and meats 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 Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight Bandeja paisa, ajiaco, mondongo, empanada, and arepa 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 Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee Street stalls for empanada and arepa with cheese, restaurants for traditional Colombian food Taco stands, esquite stalls, El Fogon, El Pirata, Dona Mary's
Vegetarian / vegan options 98 options on HappyCow 79 options on Happy Cow 59 listings on Happy Cow 153 listings on Happy Cow 72 listings on Happy Cow