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Barcelona ๐ช๐ธ
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Cape Town ๐ฟ๐ฆ
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Istanbul ๐น๐ท
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Madrid ๐ช๐ธ
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Playa del Carmen ๐ฒ๐ฝ
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| Population | 5,585,556 | 4,617,560 | 15,520,000 | 6,578,0179 | 259,453 |
| Official language(s) | Catalan, Spanish | Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English | Turkish | Spanish | Spanish |
| Level of English | High | Very high | Low | Moderate | Moderate |
| Main airport | Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) | Cape Town International Airport (CPT) | Istanbul Airport (IST) | Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) | Cancun International Airport (CUN) |
| Most common months to visit | April - June, September - November | March - May, September - November | April - June, September and October | March - May, September - November | January - May, October - December |
| Currency | EUR - Euro (โฌ) | ZAR - South African Rand (R) | TRY - Turkish Lira (โบ) | EUR - Euro (โฌ) | MXN - Mexican Peso ($) |
| Credit cards | Accepted almost evewhere | Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops | Accepted in most places | Accepted everywhere | Accepted almost everywhere |
| Remote worker visa | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Average monthly costs | $2384 | $1549 | $659 | $2498 | $2143 |
| Rent | $932 | $618 | $354 | $1174 | $923 |
| Groceries | $121 | $129 | $44 | $175 | $127 |
| Dining out | $403 | $269 | $81 | $313 | $207 |
| Cafe | $45 | $32 | $18 | $51 | $42 |
| Coworking space | $213 | $151 | $49 | $196 | $160 |
| Mobile internet | $10 | $27 | $3 | $10 | $21 |
| Public transportation | $127 | $55 | $6 | $78 | $17 |
| Taxis | $48 | $21 | $6 | $44 | $9 |
| Shared bicycles and scooters | $24 | $49 | $2 | $49 | $49 |
| Sport and cultural events | $81 | $19 | $11 | $54 | $97 |
| Museums and sights | $33 | $15 | $15 | $20 | $217 |
| Nightlife | $112 | $43 | $22 | $82 | $77 |
| Gym | $81 | $36 | $9 | $44 | $42 |
| Yoga | $93 | $56 | $23 | $142 | $54 |
| Massage | $59 | $30 | $15 | $64 | $101 |
| SIM card options | Vodafone, Movistar | MTN, Vodacom | Turkcell, Turk Telekom | Orange, Movistar, Vodafone | Telcel, Movistar |
| Tipping | 5-10% in restaurants if service is exceptional, not expected elsewhere | 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere | Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafรฉs and bars | Not customary or expected but small tips are appreciated. | 10-15% for restaurants |
| Taxi apps | Cabify, FreeNow | Uber, Bolt | BiTaksi | Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now | N/A |
| Tap water | Drinkable | Not drinkable | Not drinkable | 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. | 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 fusion of cultures creates diverse dishes with bulgur, koftes, stews, eggplants and fish | Fresh, regional produce accentuated with garlic and olive oil and mixed with various meats and seafoods. Influenced both by Mediterranean and Middle-Eastern flavors. | 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 | Bitlong and droewors, boerewors, Cape Malay curry, bobotie, melkert, gatsby, bunny chow | Dรถner, ฤฐรงli Kรถfte, Dondurma, Karnฤฑyarฤฑk, Turkish delight | Paella, tapas, tortilla, gazpacho, pulpo a la gallega, callos a la madrileรฑa, churros | Chilaquiles, tacos al pastor, chile rellenos, cochinita pibil, tostadas, pozole |
| 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 | Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee | Have some tapas and sangria at a tasca and paella at an authentic eatery. Keep an eye on the time and visit a cafeteria for a mid-afternoon merienda and some churros! | Taco stands, esquite stalls, El Fogon, El Pirata, Dona Mary's |
| Vegetarian / vegan options | 98 options on HappyCow | 24 options on HappyCow | 59 listings on Happy Cow | 85 listings on Happy Cow | 72 listings on Happy Cow |