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Barcelona 🇪🇸
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Madrid 🇪🇸
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Playa del Carmen 🇲🇽
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Rio de Janeiro 🇧🇷
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| Population | 5,585,556 | 6,578,0179 | 259,453 | 6,718,903 |
| Official language(s) | Catalan, Spanish | Spanish | Spanish | Portuguese |
| Level of English | High | Moderate | Moderate | Low |
| Main airport | Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) | Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) | Cancun International Airport (CUN) | Galeão International Airport |
| Most common months to visit | April - June, September - November | March - May, September - November | January - May, October - December | January - March, December |
| Currency | EUR - Euro (€) | EUR - Euro (€) | MXN - Mexican Peso ($) | BRL - Brazilian Real (R$) |
| Credit cards | Accepted almost evewhere | Accepted everywhere | Accepted almost everywhere | Accepted everywhere |
| Remote worker visa | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Average monthly costs | $2384 | $2498 | $2143 | $1833 |
| Rent | $932 | $1174 | $923 | $1066 |
| Groceries | $121 | $175 | $127 | $95 |
| Dining out | $403 | $313 | $207 | $210 |
| Cafe | $45 | $51 | $42 | $25 |
| Coworking space | $213 | $196 | $160 | $130 |
| Mobile internet | $10 | $10 | $21 | $7 |
| Public transportation | $127 | $78 | $17 | $33 |
| Taxis | $48 | $44 | $9 | $14 |
| Shared bicycles and scooters | $24 | $49 | $49 | $16 |
| Sport and cultural events | $81 | $54 | $97 | $55 |
| Museums and sights | $33 | $20 | $217 | $26 |
| Nightlife | $112 | $82 | $77 | $54 |
| Gym | $81 | $44 | $42 | $31 |
| Yoga | $93 | $142 | $54 | $40 |
| Massage | $59 | $64 | $101 | $32 |
| SIM card options | Vodafone, Movistar | Orange, Movistar, Vodafone | Telcel, Movistar | Tim, Claro, Vivo |
| Tipping | 5-10% in restaurants if service is exceptional, not expected elsewhere | Not customary or expected but small tips are appreciated. | 10-15% for restaurants | 10% usually included in restaurants, 10% at bars and cafes with table service is common |
| Taxi apps | Cabify, FreeNow | Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now | N/A | Easy Taxi, 99 Taxi, Uber |
| Tap water | Drinkable | 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. | 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 | Emphasis on rice, beans, pork and beef with a variety of root vegetables and fresh fruits. Fresh seafood is also very common. |
| Local food specialities | Paella, bombas, esqueixada, pa amb tomáquet, escalivada, crema Catalana, gazpacho, chorizo | Paella, tapas, tortilla, gazpacho, pulpo a la gallega, callos a la madrileña, churros | Chilaquiles, tacos al pastor, chile rellenos, cochinita pibil, tostadas, pozole | Feijoada, bolinho de bacalhau, fried sardines, caldo verde, pao de queijo and brigadeiros. |
| Eat like a local | Taverns, tapas bars, local markets, bodegas and street food spots | 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 | 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. |
| Vegetarian / vegan options | 98 options on HappyCow | 85 listings on Happy Cow | 72 listings on Happy Cow | 54 options on Happy Cow |