Berlin vs Bogota vs Cape Town vs Medellin vs Mexico City vs Panama City

Berlin 🇩🇪
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Bogota 🇨🇴
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Cape Town 🇿🇦
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Medellin 🇨🇴
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Mexico City 🇲🇽
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Panama City 🇵🇦
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Population 3,400,000 10,978,360 4,617,560 2,427,000 8,850,000 880,691
Official language(s) German Spanish Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English Spanish Spanish Spanish
Level of English Very high Low Very high Low Moderate Low
Main airport Berlin Tegel (TXL) El Dorado International Airport (BOG) Cape Town International Airport (CPT) José María Córdova International Airport (MDE) Mexico City International Airport (MEX) Tocumen International Airport (PTY)
Most common months to visit May - September January - March, December March - May, September - November January - April, December March - May, October, November December - April
Currency EUR - Euro (€) COP - Colombian Peso ($) ZAR - South African Rand (R) COP - Colombian Peso ($) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) PAB - Panamanian Balboa (B/.)
Credit cards Accepted in some places but cash often preferred Accepted everywhere Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops Accepted in some places Widely accepted (less with AMEX) Accepted almost everywhere but not in smaller shops.
Remote worker visa Yes No No No Yes Yes
Average monthly costs $2200 $1097 $1549 $1293 $1867 $2359
Rent $939 $480 $618 $732 $778 $1036
Groceries $188 $82 $129 $87 $281 $236
Dining out $271 $174 $269 $131 $182 $371
Cafe $57 $22 $32 $18 $49 $43
Coworking space $174 $77 $151 $96 $159 $157
Mobile internet $23 $11 $27 $16 $25 $21
Public transportation $88 $23 $55 $21 $11 $12
Taxis $58 $28 $21 $14 $9 $48
Shared bicycles and scooters $17 $17 $49 $0 $24 $0
Sport and cultural events $64 $22 $19 $8 $81 $35
Museums and sights $37 $7 $15 $9 $20 $9
Nightlife $63 $46 $43 $73 $64 $117
Gym $66 $15 $36 $15 $69 $37
Yoga $99 $57 $56 $54 $65 $163
Massage $56 $37 $30 $20 $51 $75
SIM card options Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone Tigo, Movistar, Claro MTN, Vodacom Claro, Tigo Telcel, Movistar Claro, Movistar
Tipping Round up for restaurants, not common for bars and services 10% service included in all bills, not required or expected at bars without table service 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere Tip 10% in restaurants 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services 10% in restaurants, round up elsewhere
Taxi apps Mytaxi, Uber Uber, Cabify Uber, Bolt EasyTaxi Uber Uber, Tu Chofer
Tap water Drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable
Overall cuisine Heavy and hearty meals with plenty of meat, potatoes and bread Latin American. Dishes with beef, pork and chicken are often mixed with flour-based foods and fruity desserts. Heavy influence from the Andes and other Colombian regions. 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. A blend of indigenous and European traditions with rice, maize, cassava, assorted legumes, and meats Corn, beans, tortillas and chili peppers typically alongside meat and cheese 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.
Local food specialities Currywurst, spätzle, königsberger klopse, schnitzel, eisbein, doner kebab, pretzels Arepas, ajiaco santaferense, buñuelos, patacones, té de coca, changua Bitlong and droewors, boerewors, Cape Malay curry, bobotie, melkert, gatsby, bunny chow Bandeja paisa, ajiaco, mondongo, empanada, and arepa Enchiladas, torta de chilaquiles, esquites, quesadillas, tlacoyos, tacos, tostadas Sancocho de gallina, carimanola, empanadas, tamales panameños, tostones, ropa vieja
Eat like a local Brew pubs, cafes, bars, deli shops Local family restaurants and those from other regions. Menú del día. Community markets and sports bars. Cape Malay shacks, food trucks, street food joints, local grills, small bakeries and food markets Street stalls for empanada and arepa with cheese, restaurants for traditional Colombian food Markets, food stalls, menú del día (cheap set lunch menus) Fondas (roadside stalls), smaller local restaurants, local markets, food trucks
Vegetarian / vegan options 844 listings on Happy Cow 104 options on Happy Cow 24 options on HappyCow 153 listings on Happy Cow 279 listings on Happy Cow 7 options on HappyCow