Austin vs Barcelona vs Cape Town vs Hanoi vs Larnaca vs Rio de Janeiro vs Valencia

Austin ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ
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Barcelona ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ
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Cape Town ๐Ÿ‡ฟ๐Ÿ‡ฆ
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Hanoi ๐Ÿ‡ป๐Ÿ‡ณ
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Larnaca ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡พ
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Rio de Janeiro ๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ท
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Valencia ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ
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Population 926,426 5,585,556 4,617,560 8,053,663 144,900 6,718,903 834,000
Official language(s) English (de facto) Catalan, Spanish Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English Vietnamese Greek Portuguese Spanish, Valencian
Level of English Very high High Very high Moderate High Low Moderate
Main airport Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) Cape Town International Airport (CPT) Nแป™i Bร i International Airport (HAN) Larnaca International Airport (LCA) Galeรฃo International Airport Valencia Manises Airport (VLC)
Most common months to visit March - May, September - November April - June, September - November March - May, September - November January, February, October - December March - May, October - December January - March, December March - June, September, October
Currency USD - US Dollar ($) EUR - Euro (โ‚ฌ) ZAR - South African Rand (R) VND - Vietnamese Dong (โ‚ซ) EUR - Euro (โ‚ฌ) BRL - Brazilian Real (R$) EUR - Euro (โ‚ฌ)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted almost evewhere Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops Accepted in some places. Cash often preferred. Accepted everywhere Accepted everywhere Accepted almost everywhere
Remote worker visa No Yes No No No No Yes
Average monthly costs $3484 $2384 $1549 $1167 $1959 $1833 $1976
Rent $1650 $932 $618 $503 $678 $1066 $869
Groceries $243 $121 $129 $151 $157 $95 $146
Dining out $396 $403 $269 $134 $261 $210 $292
Cafe $66 $45 $32 $39 $56 $25 $42
Coworking space $331 $213 $151 $72 $209 $130 $152
Mobile internet $40 $10 $27 $4 $35 $7 $16
Public transportation $110 $127 $55 $20 $63 $33 $38
Taxis $73 $48 $21 $13 $42 $14 $42
Shared bicycles and scooters $96 $24 $49 $0 $45 $16 $30
Sport and cultural events $54 $81 $19 $3 $28 $55 $73
Museums and sights $11 $33 $15 $4 $8 $26 $44
Nightlife $124 $112 $43 $89 $110 $54 $66
Gym $62 $81 $36 $57 $107 $31 $34
Yoga $139 $93 $56 $57 $105 $40 $87
Massage $89 $59 $30 $21 $54 $32 $45
SIM card options AT&T, T-Mobile. Vodafone, Movistar MTN, Vodacom Viettel, Mobifone Primetel, Cytamobile-Vodafone and Epic/MTN Tim, Claro, Vivo Vodafone, Orange
Tipping 15-20% at restaurants, 1USD or more per drink at cafes and bars 5-10% in restaurants if service is exceptional, not expected elsewhere 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere Not required but appreciated, especially in taxis, restaurants and bars. Round up or add 10%. 10% usually added and expected at restaurants, round up at bars 10% usually included in restaurants, 10% at bars and cafes with table service is common Round up for good service at restaurants, not common at bars
Taxi apps Uber, Lyft Cabify, FreeNow Uber, Bolt Grab, GoViet nTaxi Easy Taxi, 99 Taxi, Uber Cabify, FreeNow
Tap water Drinkable Drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Drinkable
Overall cuisine Emphasis on barbecued meats (beef and pork) as well as corn-based dishes and tex-mex, and rich American-style desserts. 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. 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. 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. Mediterranean style with emphasis on seafood, meats, olives, cheesed and traditional sauces. Some food with Middle Eastern influences as well.. Emphasis on rice, beans, pork and beef with a variety of root vegetables and fresh fruits. Fresh seafood is also very common. Mediterranean style using vegetables, seafoods and meats
Local food specialities Frito pie, queso, apple pie, kolaches, BBQ ribs, tacos Paella, bombas, esqueixada, pa amb tomรกquet, escalivada, crema Catalana, gazpacho, chorizo Bitlong and droewors, boerewors, Cape Malay curry, bobotie, melkert, gatsby, bunny chow Pho, cha ca, Vietnamese coffee, pastries and breads Souvlaki, sheftalia, kleftiko, stifado, halloumi, koukepia and moussaka Feijoada, bolinho de bacalhau, fried sardines, caldo verde, pao de queijo and brigadeiros. Paella, fideuร , esgarrat, orxata, bunyols
Eat like a local Local tex-mex restaurants, lunch BBQ joints, taquerias, food trucks, local breweries Taverns, tapas bars, local markets, bodegas and street food spots Cape Malay shacks, food trucks, street food joints, local grills, small bakeries and food markets Noodle Houses, Bakeries, Coffee and Tea Houses, street food Opt for smaller, outside eateries and taverns serving traditional foods. Fast food kebab shops and falafel bars offer authentic options, too. The "snack capital" of Brazil, Rio is a perfect place to try street food as well as the wide varieties of small, traditional eateries and churrascarias easily found across the city. Tapas bars, markets, menu del dia (cheap set lunches)
Vegetarian / vegan options 30 options on HappyCow 98 options on HappyCow 24 options on HappyCow 104 listings on Happy Cow 14 options on HappyCow, but non-meat Mediterranean/Middle Eastern options are always available 54 options on Happy Cow 98 listings on Happy Cow