Barcelona ๐ช๐ธ
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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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Valencia ๐ช๐ธ
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Population | 5,585,556 | 4,617,560 | 1,166,978 | 8,850,000 | 834,000 |
Official language(s) | Catalan, Spanish | Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English | Thai | Spanish | Spanish, Valencian |
Level of English | High | Very high | Low | Moderate | Moderate |
Main airport | Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) | Cape Town International Airport (CPT) | Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) | Mexico City International Airport (MEX) | Valencia Manises Airport (VLC) |
Most common months to visit | April - June, September - November | March - May, September - November | November - April | March - May, October, November | March - June, September, October |
Currency | EUR - Euro (โฌ) | ZAR - South African Rand (R) | THB - Thai Baht (เธฟ) | MXN - Mexican Peso ($) | EUR - Euro (โฌ) |
Credit cards | Accepted almost evewhere | 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 | Yes | Yes |
Average monthly costs | $2384 | $1549 | $974 | $1867 | $1976 |
Rent | $932 | $618 | $274 | $778 | $869 |
Groceries | $121 | $129 | $169 | $281 | $146 |
Dining out | $403 | $269 | $108 | $182 | $292 |
Cafe | $45 | $32 | $45 | $49 | $42 |
Coworking space | $213 | $151 | $95 | $159 | $152 |
Mobile internet | $10 | $27 | $11 | $25 | $16 |
Public transportation | $127 | $55 | $60 | $11 | $38 |
Taxis | $48 | $21 | $20 | $9 | $42 |
Shared bicycles and scooters | $24 | $49 | $10 | $24 | $30 |
Sport and cultural events | $81 | $19 | $8 | $81 | $73 |
Museums and sights | $33 | $15 | $8 | $20 | $44 |
Nightlife | $112 | $43 | $62 | $64 | $66 |
Gym | $81 | $36 | $41 | $69 | $34 |
Yoga | $93 | $56 | $55 | $65 | $87 |
Massage | $59 | $30 | $10 | $51 | $45 |
SIM card options | Vodafone, Movistar | MTN, Vodacom | AIS, DTAC | Telcel, Movistar | Vodafone, Orange |
Tipping | 5-10% in restaurants if service is exceptional, not expected elsewhere | 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere | 10% at restaurants, not customary or expected elsewhere | 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services | Round up for good service at restaurants, not common at bars |
Taxi apps | Cabify, FreeNow | Uber, Bolt | Grab | Uber | Cabify, FreeNow |
Tap water | Drinkable | Not drinkable | Not drinkable | Not drinkable | 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. | 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 | Mediterranean style using vegetables, seafoods and meats |
Local food specialities | Paella, bombas, esqueixada, pa amb tomรกquet, escalivada, crema Catalana, gazpacho, chorizo | 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 | Paella, fideuร , esgarrat, orxata, bunyols |
Eat like a local | 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 | Street food stalls, local markets, bakeries and smaller, traditional restaurants that serve fresh food | Markets, food stalls, menรบ del dรญa (cheap set lunch menus) | Tapas bars, markets, menu del dia (cheap set lunches) |
Vegetarian / vegan options | 98 options on HappyCow | 24 options on HappyCow | 90 options on HappyCow | 279 listings on Happy Cow | 98 listings on Happy Cow |