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Barcelona ๐ช๐ธ
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Chiang Mai ๐น๐ญ
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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 | 1,166,978 | 15,520,000 | 6,578,0179 | 259,453 |
| Official language(s) | Catalan, Spanish | Thai | Turkish | Spanish | Spanish |
| Level of English | High | Low | Low | Moderate | Moderate |
| Main airport | Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) | Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) | Istanbul Airport (IST) | Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) | Cancun International Airport (CUN) |
| Most common months to visit | April - June, September - November | November - April | April - June, September and October | March - May, September - November | January - May, October - December |
| Currency | EUR - Euro (โฌ) | THB - Thai Baht (เธฟ) | TRY - Turkish Lira (โบ) | EUR - Euro (โฌ) | MXN - Mexican Peso ($) |
| Credit cards | Accepted almost evewhere | Accepted sometimes. Cash preferred in many places. | Accepted in most places | Accepted everywhere | Accepted almost everywhere |
| Remote worker visa | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Average monthly costs | $2384 | $974 | $659 | $2498 | $2143 |
| Rent | $932 | $274 | $354 | $1174 | $923 |
| Groceries | $121 | $169 | $44 | $175 | $127 |
| Dining out | $403 | $108 | $81 | $313 | $207 |
| Cafe | $45 | $45 | $18 | $51 | $42 |
| Coworking space | $213 | $95 | $49 | $196 | $160 |
| Mobile internet | $10 | $11 | $3 | $10 | $21 |
| Public transportation | $127 | $60 | $6 | $78 | $17 |
| Taxis | $48 | $20 | $6 | $44 | $9 |
| Shared bicycles and scooters | $24 | $10 | $2 | $49 | $49 |
| Sport and cultural events | $81 | $8 | $11 | $54 | $97 |
| Museums and sights | $33 | $8 | $15 | $20 | $217 |
| Nightlife | $112 | $62 | $22 | $82 | $77 |
| Gym | $81 | $41 | $9 | $44 | $42 |
| Yoga | $93 | $55 | $23 | $142 | $54 |
| Massage | $59 | $10 | $15 | $64 | $101 |
| SIM card options | Vodafone, Movistar | AIS, DTAC | Turkcell, Turk Telekom | Orange, Movistar, Vodafone | Telcel, Movistar |
| Tipping | 5-10% in restaurants if service is exceptional, not expected elsewhere | 10% at restaurants, not customary or expected 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 | Grab | 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. | 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. | 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 | Khao soi, khan toke, sai oua, miang kham, nam prik, khanom jeen nam ngiaw, larb khua | 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 | Street food stalls, local markets, bakeries and smaller, traditional restaurants that serve fresh food | 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 | 90 options on HappyCow | 59 listings on Happy Cow | 85 listings on Happy Cow | 72 listings on Happy Cow |