Berlin vs Cape Town vs Chiang Mai vs Mexico City vs Panama City vs Playa del Carmen

Berlin ๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช
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Cape Town ๐Ÿ‡ฟ๐Ÿ‡ฆ
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Chiang Mai ๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ญ
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Mexico City ๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ
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Panama City ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฆ
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Playa del Carmen ๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ
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Population 3,400,000 4,617,560 1,166,978 8,850,000 880,691 259,453
Official language(s) German Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English Thai Spanish Spanish Spanish
Level of English Very high Very high Low Moderate Low Moderate
Main airport Berlin Tegel (TXL) Cape Town International Airport (CPT) Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) Mexico City International Airport (MEX) Tocumen International Airport (PTY) Cancun International Airport (CUN)
Most common months to visit May - September March - May, September - November November - April March - May, October, November December - April January - May, October - December
Currency EUR - Euro (โ‚ฌ) ZAR - South African Rand (R) THB - Thai Baht (เธฟ) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) PAB - Panamanian Balboa (B/.) MXN - Mexican Peso ($)
Credit cards Accepted in some places but cash often preferred Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops Accepted sometimes. Cash preferred in many places. Widely accepted (less with AMEX) Accepted almost everywhere but not in smaller shops. Accepted almost everywhere
Remote worker visa Yes No No Yes Yes Yes
Average monthly costs $2200 $1549 $974 $1867 $2359 $2143
Rent $939 $618 $274 $778 $1036 $923
Groceries $188 $129 $169 $281 $236 $127
Dining out $271 $269 $108 $182 $371 $207
Cafe $57 $32 $45 $49 $43 $42
Coworking space $174 $151 $95 $159 $157 $160
Mobile internet $23 $27 $11 $25 $21 $21
Public transportation $88 $55 $60 $11 $12 $17
Taxis $58 $21 $20 $9 $48 $9
Shared bicycles and scooters $17 $49 $10 $24 $0 $49
Sport and cultural events $64 $19 $8 $81 $35 $97
Museums and sights $37 $15 $8 $20 $9 $217
Nightlife $63 $43 $62 $64 $117 $77
Gym $66 $36 $41 $69 $37 $42
Yoga $99 $56 $55 $65 $163 $54
Massage $56 $30 $10 $51 $75 $101
SIM card options Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone MTN, Vodacom AIS, DTAC Telcel, Movistar Claro, Movistar Telcel, Movistar
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 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services 10% in restaurants, round up elsewhere 10-15% for restaurants
Taxi apps Mytaxi, Uber Uber, Bolt Grab Uber Uber, Tu Chofer N/A
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 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. 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
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 Enchiladas, torta de chilaquiles, esquites, quesadillas, tlacoyos, tacos, tostadas Sancocho de gallina, carimanola, empanadas, tamales panameรฑos, 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 Street food stalls, local markets, bakeries and smaller, traditional restaurants that serve fresh food Markets, food stalls, menรบ del dรญa (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
Vegetarian / vegan options 844 listings on Happy Cow 24 options on HappyCow 90 options on HappyCow 279 listings on Happy Cow 7 options on HappyCow 72 listings on Happy Cow