Berlin vs Bogota vs Bucharest vs Cape Town vs Chiang Mai vs Larnaca vs Madrid vs Playa del Carmen vs Seoul

Berlin 🇩🇪
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Bogota 🇨🇴
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Bucharest 🇷🇴
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Cape Town 🇿🇦
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Chiang Mai 🇹🇭
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Larnaca 🇨🇾
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Madrid 🇪🇸
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Playa del Carmen 🇲🇽
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Seoul 🇰🇷
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Population 3,400,000 10,978,360 1,830,000 4,617,560 1,166,978 144,900 6,578,0179 259,453 9,963,452
Official language(s) German Spanish Romanian Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English Thai Greek Spanish Spanish Korean
Level of English Very high Low High Very high Low High Moderate Moderate Moderate
Main airport Berlin Tegel (TXL) El Dorado International Airport (BOG) Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP) Cape Town International Airport (CPT) Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) Larnaca International Airport (LCA) Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) Cancun International Airport (CUN) Incheon International Airport (ICN)
Most common months to visit May - September January - March, December April - October March - May, September - November November - April March - May, October - December March - May, September - November January - May, October - December March - May, September - November
Currency EUR - Euro (€) COP - Colombian Peso ($) RON - Romanian Leu (L) ZAR - South African Rand (R) THB - Thai Baht (฿) EUR - Euro (€) EUR - Euro (€) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) KRW - South Korean won (₩)
Credit cards Accepted in some places but cash often preferred Accepted everywhere Accepted almost everywhere Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops Accepted sometimes. Cash preferred in many places. Accepted everywhere Accepted everywhere Accepted almost everywhere Accepted everywhere
Remote worker visa Yes No No No No No Yes Yes No
Average monthly costs $2200 $1097 $1351 $1549 $974 $1959 $2498 $2143 $2184
Rent $939 $480 $615 $618 $274 $678 $1174 $923 $797
Groceries $188 $82 $114 $129 $169 $157 $175 $127 $356
Dining out $271 $174 $165 $269 $108 $261 $313 $207 $211
Cafe $57 $22 $38 $32 $45 $56 $51 $42 $69
Coworking space $174 $77 $133 $151 $95 $209 $196 $160 $222
Mobile internet $23 $11 $7 $27 $11 $35 $10 $21 $40
Public transportation $88 $23 $21 $55 $60 $63 $78 $17 $40
Taxis $58 $28 $9 $21 $20 $42 $44 $9 $41
Shared bicycles and scooters $17 $17 $25 $49 $10 $45 $49 $49 $13
Sport and cultural events $64 $22 $29 $19 $8 $28 $54 $97 $39
Museums and sights $37 $7 $29 $15 $8 $8 $20 $217 $6
Nightlife $63 $46 $45 $43 $62 $110 $82 $77 $93
Gym $66 $15 $30 $36 $41 $107 $44 $42 $69
Yoga $99 $57 $59 $56 $55 $105 $142 $54 $112
Massage $56 $37 $31 $30 $10 $54 $64 $101 $75
SIM card options Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone Tigo, Movistar, Claro Vodafone, Orange MTN, Vodacom AIS, DTAC Primetel, Cytamobile-Vodafone and Epic/MTN Orange, Movistar, Vodafone Telcel, Movistar KT, SK Telecom, LG Uplus
Tipping Round up for restaurants, not common for bars and services 10% service included in all bills, not required or expected at bars without table service 5% - 10% at restaurants, 5% - 10% tip for services is appreciated but not expected, round up for taxis 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere 10% at restaurants, not customary or expected elsewhere 10% usually added and expected at restaurants, round up at bars Not customary or expected but small tips are appreciated. 10-15% for restaurants Not customary or expected
Taxi apps Mytaxi, Uber Uber, Cabify Star Taxi, Uber Uber, Bolt Grab nTaxi Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now N/A Uber, Kakao
Tap water Drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Drinkable Not drinkable Drinkable
Overall cuisine Heavy and hearty meals with plenty of meat, potatoes and bread Latin American. Dishes with beef, pork and chicken are often mixed with flour-based foods and fruity desserts. Heavy influence from the Andes and other Colombian regions. Wide range of meat and fish dishes, soups, salads and cheeses influenced by German, Hungarian, Turkish, Greek and Ukrainian cuisine. 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. 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. Mediterranean style with emphasis on seafood, meats, olives, cheesed and traditional sauces. Some food with Middle Eastern influences as well.. Fresh, regional produce accentuated with garlic and olive oil and mixed with various meats and seafoods. Influenced both by Mediterranean and Middle-Eastern flavors. Staple dishes from maize, beans, sweet potato and avocado along with meat, chili peppers and other spices Emphasis on rice, vegetables, spices and meats. Main dishes are coupled with diverse side dishes and desserts. Strong driking culture.
Local food specialities Currywurst, spätzle, königsberger klopse, schnitzel, eisbein, doner kebab, pretzels Arepas, ajiaco santaferense, buñuelos, patacones, té de coca, changua Sarmale, mămăligă, mici, ciolan cu fasole, ciorbă de burtă, covrig, papanasi 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 Souvlaki, sheftalia, kleftiko, stifado, halloumi, koukepia and moussaka Paella, tapas, tortilla, gazpacho, pulpo a la gallega, callos a la madrileña, churros Chilaquiles, tacos al pastor, chile rellenos, cochinita pibil, tostadas, pozole Kimchi, bulgogi, chap chae, mandu, sam gae tang, bossam
Eat like a local Brew pubs, cafes, bars, deli shops Local family restaurants and those from other regions. Menú del día. Community markets and sports bars. Set lunch menus, cafe terraces, cofeterias 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 Opt for smaller, outside eateries and taverns serving traditional foods. Fast food kebab shops and falafel bars offer authentic options, too. 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! Taco stands, esquite stalls, El Fogon, El Pirata, Dona Mary's Smaller, local eateries (sikdang), street stalls and local markets
Vegetarian / vegan options 844 listings on Happy Cow 104 options on Happy Cow 33 listings on Happy Cow 24 options on HappyCow 90 options on HappyCow 14 options on HappyCow, but non-meat Mediterranean/Middle Eastern options are always available 85 listings on Happy Cow 72 listings on Happy Cow 57 options on Happy Cow