Berlin vs Cape Town vs Istanbul vs Panama City vs Playa del Carmen

Berlin 🇩🇪
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Cape Town 🇿🇦
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Panama City 🇵🇦
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Playa del Carmen 🇲🇽
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Population 3,400,000 4,617,560 15,520,000 880,691 259,453
Official language(s) German Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English Turkish Spanish Spanish
Level of English Very high Very high Low Low Moderate
Main airport Berlin Tegel (TXL) Cape Town International Airport (CPT) Istanbul Airport (IST) Tocumen International Airport (PTY) Cancun International Airport (CUN)
Most common months to visit May - September March - May, September - November April - June, September and October December - April January - May, October - December
Currency EUR - Euro (€) ZAR - South African Rand (R) TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) PAB - Panamanian Balboa (B/.) MXN - Mexican Peso ($)
Credit cards Accepted in some places but cash often preferred Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops Accepted in most places Accepted almost everywhere but not in smaller shops. Accepted almost everywhere
Remote worker visa Yes No No Yes Yes
Average monthly costs $2200 $1549 $659 $2359 $2143
Rent $939 $618 $354 $1036 $923
Groceries $188 $129 $44 $236 $127
Dining out $271 $269 $81 $371 $207
Cafe $57 $32 $18 $43 $42
Coworking space $174 $151 $49 $157 $160
Mobile internet $23 $27 $3 $21 $21
Public transportation $88 $55 $6 $12 $17
Taxis $58 $21 $6 $48 $9
Shared bicycles and scooters $17 $49 $2 $0 $49
Sport and cultural events $64 $19 $11 $35 $97
Museums and sights $37 $15 $15 $9 $217
Nightlife $63 $43 $22 $117 $77
Gym $66 $36 $9 $37 $42
Yoga $99 $56 $23 $163 $54
Massage $56 $30 $15 $75 $101
SIM card options Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone MTN, Vodacom Turkcell, Turk Telekom Claro, Movistar Telcel, Movistar
Tipping Round up for restaurants, not common for bars and services 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars 10% in restaurants, round up elsewhere 10-15% for restaurants
Taxi apps Mytaxi, Uber Uber, Bolt BiTaksi Uber, Tu Chofer N/A
Tap water 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. A fusion of cultures creates diverse dishes with bulgur, koftes, stews, eggplants and fish 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
Local food specialities Currywurst, spätzle, königsberger klopse, schnitzel, eisbein, doner kebab, pretzels Bitlong and droewors, boerewors, Cape Malay curry, bobotie, melkert, gatsby, bunny chow Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight Sancocho de gallina, carimanola, empanadas, tamales panameños, tostones, ropa vieja Chilaquiles, tacos al pastor, chile rellenos, cochinita pibil, tostadas, pozole
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 Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee Fondas (roadside stalls), smaller local restaurants, local markets, food trucks Taco stands, esquite stalls, El Fogon, El Pirata, Dona Mary's
Vegetarian / vegan options 844 listings on Happy Cow 24 options on HappyCow 59 listings on Happy Cow 7 options on HappyCow 72 listings on Happy Cow