Barcelona ๐ช๐ธ
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Istanbul ๐น๐ท
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Larnaca ๐จ๐พ
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Panama City ๐ต๐ฆ
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Rio de Janeiro ๐ง๐ท
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Valencia ๐ช๐ธ
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Population | 5,585,556 | 15,520,000 | 144,900 | 880,691 | 6,718,903 | 834,000 |
Official language(s) | Catalan, Spanish | Turkish | Greek | Spanish | Portuguese | Spanish, Valencian |
Level of English | High | Low | High | Low | Low | Moderate |
Main airport | Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) | Istanbul Airport (IST) | Larnaca International Airport (LCA) | Tocumen International Airport (PTY) | Galeรฃo International Airport | Valencia Manises Airport (VLC) |
Most common months to visit | April - June, September - November | April - June, September and October | March - May, October - December | December - April | January - March, December | March - June, September, October |
Currency | EUR - Euro (โฌ) | TRY - Turkish Lira (โบ) | EUR - Euro (โฌ) | PAB - Panamanian Balboa (B/.) | BRL - Brazilian Real (R$) | EUR - Euro (โฌ) |
Credit cards | Accepted almost evewhere | Accepted in most places | Accepted everywhere | Accepted almost everywhere but not in smaller shops. | Accepted everywhere | Accepted almost everywhere |
Remote worker visa | Yes | No | No | Yes | No | Yes |
Average monthly costs | $2384 | $659 | $1959 | $2359 | $1833 | $1976 |
Rent | $932 | $354 | $678 | $1036 | $1066 | $869 |
Groceries | $121 | $44 | $157 | $236 | $95 | $146 |
Dining out | $403 | $81 | $261 | $371 | $210 | $292 |
Cafe | $45 | $18 | $56 | $43 | $25 | $42 |
Coworking space | $213 | $49 | $209 | $157 | $130 | $152 |
Mobile internet | $10 | $3 | $35 | $21 | $7 | $16 |
Public transportation | $127 | $6 | $63 | $12 | $33 | $38 |
Taxis | $48 | $6 | $42 | $48 | $14 | $42 |
Shared bicycles and scooters | $24 | $2 | $45 | $0 | $16 | $30 |
Sport and cultural events | $81 | $11 | $28 | $35 | $55 | $73 |
Museums and sights | $33 | $15 | $8 | $9 | $26 | $44 |
Nightlife | $112 | $22 | $110 | $117 | $54 | $66 |
Gym | $81 | $9 | $107 | $37 | $31 | $34 |
Yoga | $93 | $23 | $105 | $163 | $40 | $87 |
Massage | $59 | $15 | $54 | $75 | $32 | $45 |
SIM card options | Vodafone, Movistar | Turkcell, Turk Telekom | Primetel, Cytamobile-Vodafone and Epic/MTN | Claro, Movistar | Tim, Claro, Vivo | Vodafone, Orange |
Tipping | 5-10% in restaurants if service is exceptional, not expected elsewhere | Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafรฉs and bars | 10% usually added and expected at restaurants, round up at bars | 10% in restaurants, round up elsewhere | 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 | Cabify, FreeNow | BiTaksi | nTaxi | Uber, Tu Chofer | Easy Taxi, 99 Taxi, Uber | Cabify, FreeNow |
Tap water | Drinkable | Not 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. | A fusion of cultures creates diverse dishes with bulgur, koftes, stews, eggplants and fish | Mediterranean style with emphasis on seafood, meats, olives, cheesed and traditional sauces. Some food with Middle Eastern influences as well.. | Latin American. Emphasis on rice, beans, coconut, and local fruits and vegetables. Pork and beef are regularly used and influence from the islands gives seafood dishes a prominent spot in Panamanian cuisine. | 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 | Paella, bombas, esqueixada, pa amb tomรกquet, escalivada, crema Catalana, gazpacho, chorizo | Dรถner, ฤฐรงli Kรถfte, Dondurma, Karnฤฑyarฤฑk, Turkish delight | Souvlaki, sheftalia, kleftiko, stifado, halloumi, koukepia and moussaka | Sancocho de gallina, carimanola, empanadas, tamales panameรฑos, tostones, ropa vieja | Feijoada, bolinho de bacalhau, fried sardines, caldo verde, pao de queijo and brigadeiros. | Paella, fideuร , esgarrat, orxata, bunyols |
Eat like a local | Taverns, tapas bars, local markets, bodegas and street food spots | Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee | Opt for smaller, outside eateries and taverns serving traditional foods. Fast food kebab shops and falafel bars offer authentic options, too. | Fondas (roadside stalls), smaller local restaurants, local markets, food trucks | 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 | 98 options on HappyCow | 59 listings on Happy Cow | 14 options on HappyCow, but non-meat Mediterranean/Middle Eastern options are always available | 7 options on HappyCow | 54 options on Happy Cow | 98 listings on Happy Cow |