Bogota vs Buenos Aires vs Istanbul vs Mexico City vs Panama City vs Playa del Carmen vs Seoul

Bogota 🇨🇴
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Buenos Aires 🇦🇷
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Mexico City 🇲🇽
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Panama City 🇵🇦
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Playa del Carmen 🇲🇽
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Seoul 🇰🇷
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Population 10,978,360 2,900,000 15,520,000 8,850,000 880,691 259,453 9,963,452
Official language(s) Spanish Spanish Turkish Spanish Spanish Spanish Korean
Level of English Low High Low Moderate Low Moderate Moderate
Main airport El Dorado International Airport (BOG) Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE) Istanbul Airport (IST) Mexico City International Airport (MEX) Tocumen International Airport (PTY) Cancun International Airport (CUN) Incheon International Airport (ICN)
Most common months to visit January - March, December September - December April - June, September and October March - May, October, November December - April January - May, October - December March - May, September - November
Currency COP - Colombian Peso ($) ARS - Argentine Peso ($) TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) PAB - Panamanian Balboa (B/.) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) KRW - South Korean won (₩)
Credit cards Accepted everywhere Accepted everywhere. (ID required!) Accepted in most places Widely accepted (less with AMEX) Accepted almost everywhere but not in smaller shops. Accepted almost everywhere Accepted everywhere
Remote worker visa No No No Yes Yes Yes No
Average monthly costs $1097 $1321 $659 $1867 $2359 $2143 $2184
Rent $480 $844 $354 $778 $1036 $923 $797
Groceries $82 $98 $44 $281 $236 $127 $356
Dining out $174 $121 $81 $182 $371 $207 $211
Cafe $22 $25 $18 $49 $43 $42 $69
Coworking space $77 $95 $49 $159 $157 $160 $222
Mobile internet $11 $11 $3 $25 $21 $21 $40
Public transportation $23 $9 $6 $11 $12 $17 $40
Taxis $28 $9 $6 $9 $48 $9 $41
Shared bicycles and scooters $17 $14 $2 $24 $0 $49 $13
Sport and cultural events $22 $24 $11 $81 $35 $97 $39
Museums and sights $7 $4 $15 $20 $9 $217 $6
Nightlife $46 $23 $22 $64 $117 $77 $93
Gym $15 $14 $9 $69 $37 $42 $69
Yoga $57 $19 $23 $65 $163 $54 $112
Massage $37 $10 $15 $51 $75 $101 $75
SIM card options Tigo, Movistar, Claro Movistar, Claro, Personal Turkcell, Turk Telekom Telcel, Movistar Claro, Movistar Telcel, Movistar KT, SK Telecom, LG Uplus
Tipping 10% service included in all bills, not required or expected at bars without table service 10% at restaurants and cafés is common, not common at bars Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services 10% in restaurants, round up elsewhere 10-15% for restaurants Not customary or expected
Taxi apps Uber, Cabify Uber (not official), Cabify, BA Taxi (Spanish only) BiTaksi Uber Uber, Tu Chofer N/A Uber, Kakao
Tap water Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Drinkable
Overall cuisine 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. Argentinian style with an emphasis on red meats, pastries, and Italian-inspired options A fusion of cultures creates diverse dishes with bulgur, koftes, stews, eggplants and fish 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 Emphasis on rice, vegetables, spices and meats. Main dishes are coupled with diverse side dishes and desserts. Strong driking culture.
Local food specialities Arepas, ajiaco santaferense, buñuelos, patacones, té de coca, changua Asado, empanadas (Argentinian style), locro, milanesa napolitana, facturas and alfajores Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight Enchiladas, torta de chilaquiles, esquites, quesadillas, tlacoyos, tacos, tostadas Sancocho de gallina, carimanola, empanadas, tamales panameños, tostones, ropa vieja Chilaquiles, tacos al pastor, chile rellenos, cochinita pibil, tostadas, pozole Kimchi, bulgogi, chap chae, mandu, sam gae tang, bossam
Eat like a local Local family restaurants and those from other regions. Menú del día. Community markets and sports bars. Local restaurants serving asados grill-to-dish (Parrillas), markets (San Telmo, Recoleta) and local cafés for maté and facturas Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee Markets, food stalls, menú del día (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 Smaller, local eateries (sikdang), street stalls and local markets
Vegetarian / vegan options 104 options on Happy Cow 79 options on Happy Cow 59 listings on Happy Cow 279 listings on Happy Cow 7 options on HappyCow 72 listings on Happy Cow 57 options on Happy Cow