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Barcelona 🇪🇸
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Cape Town 🇿🇦
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Lisbon 🇵🇹
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Madrid 🇪🇸
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Mexico City 🇲🇽
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| Population | 5,585,556 | 4,617,560 | 517,000 | 6,578,0179 | 8,850,000 |
| Official language(s) | Catalan, Spanish | Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English | Portuguese | Spanish | Spanish |
| Level of English | High | Very high | Very high | Moderate | Moderate |
| Main airport | Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) | Cape Town International Airport (CPT) | Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) | Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) | Mexico City International Airport (MEX) |
| Most common months to visit | April - June, September - November | March - May, September - November | March - May, September, October | March - May, September - November | March - May, October, November |
| Currency | EUR - Euro (€) | ZAR - South African Rand (R) | EUR - Euro (€) | EUR - Euro (€) | MXN - Mexican Peso ($) |
| Credit cards | Accepted almost evewhere | Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops | Accepted almost everywhere (less for AMEX) | Accepted everywhere | Widely accepted (less with AMEX) |
| Remote worker visa | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Average monthly costs | $2384 | $1549 | $1984 | $2498 | $1867 |
| Rent | $932 | $618 | $965 | $1174 | $778 |
| Groceries | $121 | $129 | $136 | $175 | $281 |
| Dining out | $403 | $269 | $271 | $313 | $182 |
| Cafe | $45 | $32 | $37 | $51 | $49 |
| Coworking space | $213 | $151 | $164 | $196 | $159 |
| Mobile internet | $10 | $27 | $24 | $10 | $25 |
| Public transportation | $127 | $55 | $63 | $78 | $11 |
| Taxis | $48 | $21 | $27 | $44 | $9 |
| Shared bicycles and scooters | $24 | $49 | $18 | $49 | $24 |
| Sport and cultural events | $81 | $19 | $29 | $54 | $81 |
| Museums and sights | $33 | $15 | $24 | $20 | $20 |
| Nightlife | $112 | $43 | $47 | $82 | $64 |
| Gym | $81 | $36 | $65 | $44 | $69 |
| Yoga | $93 | $56 | $65 | $142 | $65 |
| Massage | $59 | $30 | $50 | $64 | $51 |
| SIM card options | Vodafone, Movistar | MTN, Vodacom | Vodafone | Orange, Movistar, Vodafone | Telcel, Movistar |
| Tipping | 5-10% in restaurants if service is exceptional, not expected elsewhere | 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere | 5-10% for restaurants, not common at bars | Not customary or expected but small tips are appreciated. | 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services |
| Taxi apps | Cabify, FreeNow | Uber, Bolt | Uber, FreeNow | Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now | Uber |
| Tap water | Drinkable | Not drinkable | 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 sautéed vegetables and dry-cured meats. Creamy desserts and liqueurs compliment large and flavorful meals. | Fresh seafood, meats, soup, sausages and famous pastries | Fresh, regional produce accentuated with garlic and olive oil and mixed with various meats and seafoods. Influenced both by Mediterranean and Middle-Eastern flavors. | Corn, beans, tortillas and chili peppers typically alongside meat and cheese |
| Local food specialities | Paella, bombas, esqueixada, pa amb tomáquet, escalivada, crema Catalana, gazpacho, chorizo | Bitlong and droewors, boerewors, Cape Malay curry, bobotie, melkert, gatsby, bunny chow | Bacalhau à bras, sardinhas, petiscos, leitão, polvo à lagareiro, pasteis de nata, bifana | Paella, tapas, tortilla, gazpacho, pulpo a la gallega, callos a la madrileña, churros | Enchiladas, torta de chilaquiles, esquites, quesadillas, tlacoyos, tacos, tostadas |
| 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 | Tascas, snack bars, seafood restaurants | 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! | Markets, food stalls, menú del día (cheap set lunch menus) |
| Vegetarian / vegan options | 98 options on HappyCow | 24 options on HappyCow | 401 listings on Happy Cow | 85 listings on Happy Cow | 279 listings on Happy Cow |