Berlin vs Cape Town vs Lisbon vs Medellin vs Panama City vs Playa del Carmen vs Sofia

Berlin 🇩🇪
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Cape Town 🇿🇦
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Lisbon 🇵🇹
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Medellin 🇨🇴
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Panama City 🇵🇦
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Playa del Carmen 🇲🇽
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Sofia 🇧🇬
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Population 3,400,000 4,617,560 517,000 2,427,000 880,691 259,453 1,270,169
Official language(s) German Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English Portuguese Spanish Spanish Spanish Bulgarian
Level of English Very high Very high Very high Low Low Moderate High
Main airport Berlin Tegel (TXL) Cape Town International Airport (CPT) Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) José María Córdova International Airport (MDE) Tocumen International Airport (PTY) Cancun International Airport (CUN) Sofia International Airport (SOF)
Most common months to visit May - September March - May, September - November March - May, September, October January - April, December December - April January - May, October - December April-June, September-October
Currency EUR - Euro (€) ZAR - South African Rand (R) EUR - Euro (€) COP - Colombian Peso ($) PAB - Panamanian Balboa (B/.) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) 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 almost everywhere (less for AMEX) Accepted in some places Accepted almost everywhere but not in smaller shops. Accepted almost everywhere Accepted everywhere
Remote worker visa Yes No Yes No Yes Yes No
Average monthly costs $2200 $1549 $1984 $1293 $2359 $2143 $1289
Rent $939 $618 $965 $732 $1036 $923 $567
Groceries $188 $129 $136 $87 $236 $127 $10
Dining out $271 $269 $271 $131 $371 $207 $227
Cafe $57 $32 $37 $18 $43 $42 $27
Coworking space $174 $151 $164 $96 $157 $160 $140
Mobile internet $23 $27 $24 $16 $21 $21 $10
Public transportation $88 $55 $63 $21 $12 $17 $30
Taxis $58 $21 $27 $14 $48 $9 $12
Shared bicycles and scooters $17 $49 $18 $0 $0 $49 $40
Sport and cultural events $64 $19 $29 $8 $35 $97 $18
Museums and sights $37 $15 $24 $9 $9 $217 $12
Nightlife $63 $43 $47 $73 $117 $77 $82
Gym $66 $36 $65 $15 $37 $42 $23
Yoga $99 $56 $65 $54 $163 $54 $62
Massage $56 $30 $50 $20 $75 $101 $29
SIM card options Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone MTN, Vodacom Vodafone Claro, Tigo Claro, Movistar Telcel, Movistar A1, Telenor, Vivacom
Tipping Round up for restaurants, not common for bars and services 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere 5-10% for restaurants, not common at bars Tip 10% in restaurants 10% in restaurants, round up elsewhere 10-15% for restaurants 10% in restaurants, 1-2 BGN at bars and cafés
Taxi apps Mytaxi, Uber Uber, Bolt Uber, FreeNow EasyTaxi Uber, Tu Chofer N/A TaxiMe, TaxiStars
Tap water Drinkable Not drinkable 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. Fresh seafood, meats, soup, sausages and famous pastries A blend of indigenous and European traditions with rice, maize, cassava, assorted legumes, and meats 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 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 Bacalhau à bras, sardinhas, petiscos, leitão, polvo à lagareiro, pasteis de nata, bifana Bandeja paisa, ajiaco, mondongo, empanada, and arepa Sancocho de gallina, carimanola, empanadas, tamales panameños, tostones, ropa vieja Chilaquiles, tacos al pastor, chile rellenos, cochinita pibil, tostadas, pozole 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 Tascas, snack bars, seafood restaurants Street stalls for empanada and arepa with cheese, restaurants for traditional Colombian food Fondas (roadside stalls), smaller local restaurants, local markets, food trucks Taco stands, esquite stalls, El Fogon, El Pirata, Dona Mary's 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 401 listings on Happy Cow 153 listings on Happy Cow 7 options on HappyCow 72 listings on Happy Cow 20 options on HappyCow