Berlin vs Cape Town vs Medellin vs Mexico City vs Panama City vs Sofia

Berlin 🇩🇪
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Cape Town 🇿🇦
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Medellin 🇨🇴
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Mexico City 🇲🇽
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Panama City 🇵🇦
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Sofia 🇧🇬
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Population 3,400,000 4,617,560 2,427,000 8,850,000 880,691 1,270,169
Official language(s) German Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English Spanish Spanish Spanish Bulgarian
Level of English Very high Very high Low Moderate Low High
Main airport Berlin Tegel (TXL) Cape Town International Airport (CPT) José María Córdova International Airport (MDE) Mexico City International Airport (MEX) Tocumen International Airport (PTY) Sofia International Airport (SOF)
Most common months to visit May - September March - May, September - November January - April, December March - May, October, November December - April April-June, September-October
Currency EUR - Euro (€) ZAR - South African Rand (R) COP - Colombian Peso ($) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) PAB - Panamanian Balboa (B/.) 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 in some places Widely accepted (less with AMEX) Accepted almost everywhere but not in smaller shops. Accepted everywhere
Remote worker visa Yes No No Yes Yes No
Average monthly costs $2200 $1549 $1293 $1867 $2359 $1289
Rent $939 $618 $732 $778 $1036 $567
Groceries $188 $129 $87 $281 $236 $10
Dining out $271 $269 $131 $182 $371 $227
Cafe $57 $32 $18 $49 $43 $27
Coworking space $174 $151 $96 $159 $157 $140
Mobile internet $23 $27 $16 $25 $21 $10
Public transportation $88 $55 $21 $11 $12 $30
Taxis $58 $21 $14 $9 $48 $12
Shared bicycles and scooters $17 $49 $0 $24 $0 $40
Sport and cultural events $64 $19 $8 $81 $35 $18
Museums and sights $37 $15 $9 $20 $9 $12
Nightlife $63 $43 $73 $64 $117 $82
Gym $66 $36 $15 $69 $37 $23
Yoga $99 $56 $54 $65 $163 $62
Massage $56 $30 $20 $51 $75 $29
SIM card options Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone MTN, Vodacom Claro, Tigo Telcel, Movistar Claro, Movistar A1, Telenor, Vivacom
Tipping Round up for restaurants, not common for bars and services 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere Tip 10% in restaurants 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services 10% in restaurants, round up elsewhere 10% in restaurants, 1-2 BGN at bars and cafés
Taxi apps Mytaxi, Uber Uber, Bolt EasyTaxi Uber Uber, Tu Chofer TaxiMe, TaxiStars
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 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 blend of indigenous and European traditions with rice, maize, cassava, assorted legumes, and meats 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. 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 Bandeja paisa, ajiaco, mondongo, empanada, and arepa Enchiladas, torta de chilaquiles, esquites, quesadillas, tlacoyos, tacos, tostadas Sancocho de gallina, carimanola, empanadas, tamales panameños, tostones, ropa vieja 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 stalls for empanada and arepa with cheese, restaurants for traditional Colombian food Markets, food stalls, menú del día (cheap set lunch menus) Fondas (roadside stalls), smaller local restaurants, local markets, food trucks 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 153 listings on Happy Cow 279 listings on Happy Cow 7 options on HappyCow 20 options on HappyCow