Bucharest vs Budapest vs Chiang Mai vs Mexico City vs Panama City vs Playa del Carmen vs Seoul

Bucharest 🇷🇴
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Budapest 🇭🇺
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Chiang Mai 🇹🇭
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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 1,830,000 1,768,073 1,166,978 8,850,000 880,691 259,453 9,963,452
Official language(s) Romanian Hungarian Thai Spanish Spanish Spanish Korean
Level of English High High Low Moderate Low Moderate Moderate
Main airport Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP) Budapest Ferihegy International Airport (BUD) Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) Mexico City International Airport (MEX) Tocumen International Airport (PTY) Cancun International Airport (CUN) Incheon International Airport (ICN)
Most common months to visit April - October March - June, September - November November - April March - May, October, November December - April January - May, October - December March - May, September - November
Currency RON - Romanian Leu (L) HUF - Hungarian Forint (Ft) THB - Thai Baht (฿) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) PAB - Panamanian Balboa (B/.) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) KRW - South Korean won (₩)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted almost everywhere, cash needed for small shops Accepted sometimes. Cash preferred in many 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 $1351 $1230 $974 $1867 $2359 $2143 $2184
Rent $615 $499 $274 $778 $1036 $923 $797
Groceries $114 $108 $169 $281 $236 $127 $356
Dining out $165 $202 $108 $182 $371 $207 $211
Cafe $38 $29 $45 $49 $43 $42 $69
Coworking space $133 $120 $95 $159 $157 $160 $222
Mobile internet $7 $9 $11 $25 $21 $21 $40
Public transportation $21 $36 $60 $11 $12 $17 $40
Taxis $9 $27 $20 $9 $48 $9 $41
Shared bicycles and scooters $25 $13 $10 $24 $0 $49 $13
Sport and cultural events $29 $24 $8 $81 $35 $97 $39
Museums and sights $29 $7 $8 $20 $9 $217 $6
Nightlife $45 $43 $62 $64 $117 $77 $93
Gym $30 $37 $41 $69 $37 $42 $69
Yoga $59 $48 $55 $65 $163 $54 $112
Massage $31 $26 $10 $51 $75 $101 $75
SIM card options Vodafone, Orange Vodafone, Telenor AIS, DTAC Telcel, Movistar Claro, Movistar Telcel, Movistar KT, SK Telecom, LG Uplus
Tipping 5% - 10% at restaurants, 5% - 10% tip for services is appreciated but not expected, round up for taxis 10 - 15% at restaurants and bars 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 Not customary or expected
Taxi apps Star Taxi, Uber Bolt, Fotaxi Grab Uber Uber, Tu Chofer N/A Uber, Kakao
Tap water Not drinkable Drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Drinkable
Overall cuisine Wide range of meat and fish dishes, soups, salads and cheeses influenced by German, Hungarian, Turkish, Greek and Ukrainian cuisine. Magyar cuisine makes extensive use of creams, cheeses and sauces primarily in beef, chicken and pork dishes, mixed with seasonal vegetables, fruits and rich desserts. 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 Emphasis on rice, vegetables, spices and meats. Main dishes are coupled with diverse side dishes and desserts. Strong driking culture.
Local food specialities Sarmale, mămăligă, mici, ciolan cu fasole, ciorbă de burtă, covrig, papanasi Goulash, Fisherman's soup, Főzelék, Somloi Galuska, Pörkölt and Paprikás, Kürtös Kalács, Hungarian Lecsó, Lángos 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 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 Set lunch menus, cafe terraces, cofeterias Local markets, cafés, taverns, street food, traditional restaurants Street food stalls, local markets, bakeries and smaller, traditional restaurants that serve fresh food 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 33 listings on Happy Cow 47 options on HappyCow 90 options on HappyCow 279 listings on Happy Cow 7 options on HappyCow 72 listings on Happy Cow 57 options on Happy Cow