Berlin vs Bucharest vs Buenos Aires vs Cape Town vs Mexico City vs Panama City

Berlin 🇩🇪
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Bucharest 🇷🇴
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Buenos Aires 🇦🇷
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Cape Town 🇿🇦
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Mexico City 🇲🇽
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Panama City 🇵🇦
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Population 3,400,000 1,830,000 2,900,000 4,617,560 8,850,000 880,691
Official language(s) German Romanian Spanish Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English Spanish Spanish
Level of English Very high High High Very high Moderate Low
Main airport Berlin Tegel (TXL) Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP) Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE) Cape Town International Airport (CPT) Mexico City International Airport (MEX) Tocumen International Airport (PTY)
Most common months to visit May - September April - October September - December March - May, September - November March - May, October, November December - April
Currency EUR - Euro (€) RON - Romanian Leu (L) ARS - Argentine Peso ($) ZAR - South African Rand (R) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) PAB - Panamanian Balboa (B/.)
Credit cards Accepted in some places but cash often preferred Accepted almost everywhere Accepted everywhere. (ID required!) Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops 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 $1351 $1321 $1549 $1867 $2359
Rent $939 $615 $844 $618 $778 $1036
Groceries $188 $114 $98 $129 $281 $236
Dining out $271 $165 $121 $269 $182 $371
Cafe $57 $38 $25 $32 $49 $43
Coworking space $174 $133 $95 $151 $159 $157
Mobile internet $23 $7 $11 $27 $25 $21
Public transportation $88 $21 $9 $55 $11 $12
Taxis $58 $9 $9 $21 $9 $48
Shared bicycles and scooters $17 $25 $14 $49 $24 $0
Sport and cultural events $64 $29 $24 $19 $81 $35
Museums and sights $37 $29 $4 $15 $20 $9
Nightlife $63 $45 $23 $43 $64 $117
Gym $66 $30 $14 $36 $69 $37
Yoga $99 $59 $19 $56 $65 $163
Massage $56 $31 $10 $30 $51 $75
SIM card options Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone Vodafone, Orange Movistar, Claro, Personal MTN, Vodacom Telcel, Movistar Claro, Movistar
Tipping Round up for restaurants, not common for bars and services 5% - 10% at restaurants, 5% - 10% tip for services is appreciated but not expected, round up for taxis 10% at restaurants and cafés is common, not common at bars 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services 10% in restaurants, round up elsewhere
Taxi apps Mytaxi, Uber Star Taxi, Uber Uber (not official), Cabify, BA Taxi (Spanish only) Uber, Bolt 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 Wide range of meat and fish dishes, soups, salads and cheeses influenced by German, Hungarian, Turkish, Greek and Ukrainian cuisine. Argentinian style with an emphasis on red meats, pastries, and Italian-inspired options 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. 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 Sarmale, mămăligă, mici, ciolan cu fasole, ciorbă de burtă, covrig, papanasi Asado, empanadas (Argentinian style), locro, milanesa napolitana, facturas and alfajores Bitlong and droewors, boerewors, Cape Malay curry, bobotie, melkert, gatsby, bunny chow 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 Set lunch menus, cafe terraces, cofeterias Local restaurants serving asados grill-to-dish (Parrillas), markets (San Telmo, Recoleta) and local cafés for maté and facturas Cape Malay shacks, food trucks, street food joints, local grills, small bakeries and food markets 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 33 listings on Happy Cow 79 options on Happy Cow 24 options on HappyCow 279 listings on Happy Cow 7 options on HappyCow