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Berlin ๐ฉ๐ช
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Cape Town ๐ฟ๐ฆ
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Chiang Mai ๐น๐ญ
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Madrid ๐ช๐ธ
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| Population | 3,400,000 | 4,617,560 | 1,166,978 | 6,578,0179 |
| Official language(s) | German | Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English | Thai | Spanish |
| Level of English | Very high | Very high | Low | Moderate |
| Main airport | Berlin Tegel (TXL) | Cape Town International Airport (CPT) | Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) | Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) |
| Most common months to visit | May - September | March - May, September - November | November - April | March - May, September - November |
| Currency | EUR - Euro (โฌ) | ZAR - South African Rand (R) | THB - Thai Baht (เธฟ) | EUR - Euro (โฌ) |
| 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 everywhere |
| Remote worker visa | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Average monthly costs | $2200 | $1549 | $974 | $2498 |
| Rent | $939 | $618 | $274 | $1174 |
| Groceries | $188 | $129 | $169 | $175 |
| Dining out | $271 | $269 | $108 | $313 |
| Cafe | $57 | $32 | $45 | $51 |
| Coworking space | $174 | $151 | $95 | $196 |
| Mobile internet | $23 | $27 | $11 | $10 |
| Public transportation | $88 | $55 | $60 | $78 |
| Taxis | $58 | $21 | $20 | $44 |
| Shared bicycles and scooters | $17 | $49 | $10 | $49 |
| Sport and cultural events | $64 | $19 | $8 | $54 |
| Museums and sights | $37 | $15 | $8 | $20 |
| Nightlife | $63 | $43 | $62 | $82 |
| Gym | $66 | $36 | $41 | $44 |
| Yoga | $99 | $56 | $55 | $142 |
| Massage | $56 | $30 | $10 | $64 |
| SIM card options | Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone | MTN, Vodacom | AIS, DTAC | Orange, Movistar, Vodafone |
| 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 | Not customary or expected but small tips are appreciated. |
| Taxi apps | Mytaxi, Uber | Uber, Bolt | Grab | Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now |
| Tap water | Drinkable | Not drinkable | Not drinkable | 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 sautรฉed 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. | Fresh, regional produce accentuated with garlic and olive oil and mixed with various meats and seafoods. Influenced both by Mediterranean and Middle-Eastern flavors. |
| Local food specialities | Currywurst, spรคtzle, kรถnigsberger 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 | Paella, tapas, tortilla, gazpacho, pulpo a la gallega, callos a la madrileรฑa, churros |
| 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 | Have some tapas and sangria at a tasca and paella at an authentic eatery. Keep an eye on the time and visit a cafeteria for a mid-afternoon merienda and some churros! |
| Vegetarian / vegan options | 844 listings on Happy Cow | 24 options on HappyCow | 90 options on HappyCow | 85 listings on Happy Cow |