Bucharest vs Cape Town vs Chiang Mai vs Lisbon vs Madrid vs Valencia

Bucharest ๐Ÿ‡ท๐Ÿ‡ด
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Cape Town ๐Ÿ‡ฟ๐Ÿ‡ฆ
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Chiang Mai ๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ญ
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Lisbon ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น
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Madrid ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ
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Valencia ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ
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Population 1,830,000 4,617,560 1,166,978 517,000 6,578,0179 834,000
Official language(s) Romanian Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English Thai Portuguese Spanish Spanish, Valencian
Level of English High Very high Low Very high Moderate Moderate
Main airport Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP) Cape Town International Airport (CPT) Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) Valencia Manises Airport (VLC)
Most common months to visit April - October March - May, September - November November - April March - May, September, October March - May, September - November March - June, September, October
Currency RON - Romanian Leu (L) ZAR - South African Rand (R) THB - Thai Baht (เธฟ) EUR - Euro (โ‚ฌ) EUR - Euro (โ‚ฌ) EUR - Euro (โ‚ฌ)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops Accepted sometimes. Cash preferred in many places. Accepted almost everywhere (less for AMEX) Accepted everywhere Accepted almost everywhere
Remote worker visa No No No Yes Yes Yes
Average monthly costs $1351 $1549 $974 $1984 $2498 $1976
Rent $615 $618 $274 $965 $1174 $869
Groceries $114 $129 $169 $136 $175 $146
Dining out $165 $269 $108 $271 $313 $292
Cafe $38 $32 $45 $37 $51 $42
Coworking space $133 $151 $95 $164 $196 $152
Mobile internet $7 $27 $11 $24 $10 $16
Public transportation $21 $55 $60 $63 $78 $38
Taxis $9 $21 $20 $27 $44 $42
Shared bicycles and scooters $25 $49 $10 $18 $49 $30
Sport and cultural events $29 $19 $8 $29 $54 $73
Museums and sights $29 $15 $8 $24 $20 $44
Nightlife $45 $43 $62 $47 $82 $66
Gym $30 $36 $41 $65 $44 $34
Yoga $59 $56 $55 $65 $142 $87
Massage $31 $30 $10 $50 $64 $45
SIM card options Vodafone, Orange MTN, Vodacom AIS, DTAC Vodafone Orange, Movistar, Vodafone Vodafone, Orange
Tipping 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 5-10% for restaurants, not common at bars Not customary or expected but small tips are appreciated. Round up for good service at restaurants, not common at bars
Taxi apps Star Taxi, Uber Uber, Bolt Grab Uber, FreeNow Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now Cabify, FreeNow
Tap water Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Drinkable Drinkable Drinkable
Overall cuisine 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 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. Fresh seafood, meats, soup, sausages and famous pastries Fresh, regional produce accentuated with garlic and olive oil and mixed with various meats and seafoods. Influenced both by Mediterranean and Middle-Eastern flavors. Mediterranean style using vegetables, seafoods and meats
Local food specialities Sarmale, mฤƒmฤƒligฤƒ, mici, ciolan cu fasole, ciorbฤƒ de burtฤƒ, 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 Bacalhau ร  bras, sardinhas, petiscos, leitรฃo, polvo ร  lagareiro, pasteis de nata, bifana Paella, tapas, tortilla, gazpacho, pulpo a la gallega, callos a la madrileรฑa, churros Paella, fideuร , esgarrat, orxata, bunyols
Eat like a local 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 Tascas, snack bars, seafood restaurants 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! Tapas bars, markets, menu del dia (cheap set lunches)
Vegetarian / vegan options 33 listings on Happy Cow 24 options on HappyCow 90 options on HappyCow 401 listings on Happy Cow 85 listings on Happy Cow 98 listings on Happy Cow