Barcelona vs Buenos Aires 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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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 1,166,978 8,850,000 259,453
Official language(s) Catalan, Spanish Spanish Thai Spanish Spanish
Level of English High High Low Moderate Moderate
Main airport Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE) 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 November - April March - May, October, November January - May, October - December
Currency EUR - Euro (โ‚ฌ) ARS - Argentine Peso ($) THB - Thai Baht (เธฟ) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) MXN - Mexican Peso ($)
Credit cards Accepted almost evewhere Accepted everywhere. (ID required!) 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 $1321 $974 $1867 $2143
Rent $932 $844 $274 $778 $923
Groceries $121 $98 $169 $281 $127
Dining out $403 $121 $108 $182 $207
Cafe $45 $25 $45 $49 $42
Coworking space $213 $95 $95 $159 $160
Mobile internet $10 $11 $11 $25 $21
Public transportation $127 $9 $60 $11 $17
Taxis $48 $9 $20 $9 $9
Shared bicycles and scooters $24 $14 $10 $24 $49
Sport and cultural events $81 $24 $8 $81 $97
Museums and sights $33 $4 $8 $20 $217
Nightlife $112 $23 $62 $64 $77
Gym $81 $14 $41 $69 $42
Yoga $93 $19 $55 $65 $54
Massage $59 $10 $10 $51 $101
SIM card options Vodafone, Movistar Movistar, Claro, Personal 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% 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) Grab Uber 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 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 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 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 90 options on HappyCow 279 listings on Happy Cow 72 listings on Happy Cow