Berlin vs Cape Town vs Chiang Mai vs Istanbul vs Mexico City vs Panama City vs Playa del Carmen vs Rio de Janeiro vs Sofia

Berlin 🇩🇪
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Cape Town 🇿🇦
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Chiang Mai 🇹🇭
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Mexico City 🇲🇽
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Panama City 🇵🇦
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Playa del Carmen 🇲🇽
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Rio de Janeiro 🇧🇷
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Sofia 🇧🇬
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Population 3,400,000 4,617,560 1,166,978 15,520,000 8,850,000 880,691 259,453 6,718,903 1,270,169
Official language(s) German Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English Thai Turkish Spanish Spanish Spanish Portuguese Bulgarian
Level of English Very high Very high Low Low Moderate Low Moderate Low High
Main airport Berlin Tegel (TXL) Cape Town International Airport (CPT) Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) Istanbul Airport (IST) Mexico City International Airport (MEX) Tocumen International Airport (PTY) Cancun International Airport (CUN) Galeão International Airport Sofia International Airport (SOF)
Most common months to visit May - September March - May, September - November November - April April - June, September and October March - May, October, November December - April January - May, October - December January - March, December April-June, September-October
Currency EUR - Euro (€) ZAR - South African Rand (R) THB - Thai Baht (฿) TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) PAB - Panamanian Balboa (B/.) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) BRL - Brazilian Real (R$) BGN - Bulgarian Lev (лв)
Credit cards Accepted in some places but cash often preferred Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops Accepted sometimes. Cash preferred in many places. Accepted in most places Widely accepted (less with AMEX) Accepted almost everywhere but not in smaller shops. Accepted almost everywhere Accepted everywhere Accepted everywhere
Remote worker visa Yes No No No Yes Yes Yes No No
Average monthly costs $2200 $1549 $974 $659 $1867 $2359 $2143 $1833 $1289
Rent $939 $618 $274 $354 $778 $1036 $923 $1066 $567
Groceries $188 $129 $169 $44 $281 $236 $127 $95 $10
Dining out $271 $269 $108 $81 $182 $371 $207 $210 $227
Cafe $57 $32 $45 $18 $49 $43 $42 $25 $27
Coworking space $174 $151 $95 $49 $159 $157 $160 $130 $140
Mobile internet $23 $27 $11 $3 $25 $21 $21 $7 $10
Public transportation $88 $55 $60 $6 $11 $12 $17 $33 $30
Taxis $58 $21 $20 $6 $9 $48 $9 $14 $12
Shared bicycles and scooters $17 $49 $10 $2 $24 $0 $49 $16 $40
Sport and cultural events $64 $19 $8 $11 $81 $35 $97 $55 $18
Museums and sights $37 $15 $8 $15 $20 $9 $217 $26 $12
Nightlife $63 $43 $62 $22 $64 $117 $77 $54 $82
Gym $66 $36 $41 $9 $69 $37 $42 $31 $23
Yoga $99 $56 $55 $23 $65 $163 $54 $40 $62
Massage $56 $30 $10 $15 $51 $75 $101 $32 $29
SIM card options Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone MTN, Vodacom AIS, DTAC Turkcell, Turk Telekom Telcel, Movistar Claro, Movistar Telcel, Movistar Tim, Claro, Vivo A1, Telenor, Vivacom
Tipping Round up for restaurants, not common for bars and services 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere 10% at restaurants, not customary or expected elsewhere Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services 10% in restaurants, round up elsewhere 10-15% for restaurants 10% usually included in restaurants, 10% at bars and cafes with table service is common 10% in restaurants, 1-2 BGN at bars and cafés
Taxi apps Mytaxi, Uber Uber, Bolt Grab BiTaksi Uber Uber, Tu Chofer N/A Easy Taxi, 99 Taxi, Uber TaxiMe, TaxiStars
Tap water Drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable
Overall cuisine Heavy and hearty meals with plenty of meat, potatoes and bread 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. Combines salty, sweet, spicy and sour flavors to create bold and colorful dishes. Meals typically include a mixture of meat and seafood dishes, as well as noodles or soups recipes. Strong emphasis on local spices and vegetables. A fusion of cultures creates diverse dishes with bulgur, koftes, stews, eggplants and fish 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. 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. Vegetables and mild spices are often mixed with dairy products to create rich chicken and pork products. Seafood dishes also popular in some regions of the country, making them popular in the capital.
Local food specialities Currywurst, spätzle, königsberger klopse, schnitzel, eisbein, doner kebab, pretzels Bitlong and droewors, boerewors, Cape Malay curry, bobotie, melkert, gatsby, bunny chow Khao soi, khan toke, sai oua, miang kham, nam prik, khanom jeen nam ngiaw, larb khua Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight Enchiladas, torta de chilaquiles, esquites, quesadillas, tlacoyos, tacos, tostadas Sancocho de gallina, carimanola, empanadas, tamales panameños, tostones, ropa vieja Chilaquiles, tacos al pastor, chile rellenos, cochinita pibil, tostadas, pozole Feijoada, bolinho de bacalhau, fried sardines, caldo verde, pao de queijo and brigadeiros. Kebapche, Bulgarian musaka, lyutenitsa, shkember chorba, kyufte, kavarma, banitsa and tarator
Eat like a local Brew pubs, cafes, bars, deli shops Cape Malay shacks, food trucks, street food joints, local grills, small bakeries and food markets Street food stalls, local markets, bakeries and smaller, traditional restaurants that serve fresh food Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee Markets, food stalls, menú del día (cheap set lunch menus) Fondas (roadside stalls), smaller local restaurants, local markets, food trucks 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. Taverns, local BBQ restaurants, local markets and smaller eateries in residential and university areas.
Vegetarian / vegan options 844 listings on Happy Cow 24 options on HappyCow 90 options on HappyCow 59 listings on Happy Cow 279 listings on Happy Cow 7 options on HappyCow 72 listings on Happy Cow 54 options on Happy Cow 20 options on HappyCow