Bucharest vs Cape Town vs Istanbul vs Madrid vs Panama City vs Playa del Carmen

Bucharest 🇷🇴
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Cape Town 🇿🇦
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Madrid 🇪🇸
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Panama City 🇵🇦
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Playa del Carmen 🇲🇽
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Population 1,830,000 4,617,560 15,520,000 6,578,0179 880,691 259,453
Official language(s) Romanian Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English Turkish Spanish Spanish Spanish
Level of English High Very high Low Moderate Low Moderate
Main airport Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP) Cape Town International Airport (CPT) Istanbul Airport (IST) Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) Tocumen International Airport (PTY) Cancun International Airport (CUN)
Most common months to visit April - October March - May, September - November April - June, September and October March - May, September - November December - April January - May, October - December
Currency RON - Romanian Leu (L) ZAR - South African Rand (R) TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) EUR - Euro (€) PAB - Panamanian Balboa (B/.) MXN - Mexican Peso ($)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops Accepted in most places Accepted everywhere Accepted almost everywhere but not in smaller shops. Accepted almost everywhere
Remote worker visa No No No Yes Yes Yes
Average monthly costs $1351 $1549 $659 $2498 $2359 $2143
Rent $615 $618 $354 $1174 $1036 $923
Groceries $114 $129 $44 $175 $236 $127
Dining out $165 $269 $81 $313 $371 $207
Cafe $38 $32 $18 $51 $43 $42
Coworking space $133 $151 $49 $196 $157 $160
Mobile internet $7 $27 $3 $10 $21 $21
Public transportation $21 $55 $6 $78 $12 $17
Taxis $9 $21 $6 $44 $48 $9
Shared bicycles and scooters $25 $49 $2 $49 $0 $49
Sport and cultural events $29 $19 $11 $54 $35 $97
Museums and sights $29 $15 $15 $20 $9 $217
Nightlife $45 $43 $22 $82 $117 $77
Gym $30 $36 $9 $44 $37 $42
Yoga $59 $56 $23 $142 $163 $54
Massage $31 $30 $15 $64 $75 $101
SIM card options Vodafone, Orange MTN, Vodacom Turkcell, Turk Telekom Orange, Movistar, Vodafone Claro, Movistar Telcel, Movistar
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 Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars Not customary or expected but small tips are appreciated. 10% in restaurants, round up elsewhere 10-15% for restaurants
Taxi apps Star Taxi, Uber Uber, Bolt BiTaksi Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now Uber, Tu Chofer N/A
Tap water Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Drinkable Not drinkable Not 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 sautéed vegetables and dry-cured meats. Creamy desserts and liqueurs compliment large and flavorful meals. A fusion of cultures creates diverse dishes with bulgur, koftes, stews, eggplants and fish Fresh, regional produce accentuated with garlic and olive oil and mixed with various meats and seafoods. Influenced both by Mediterranean and Middle-Eastern flavors. 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 Sarmale, mămăligă, mici, ciolan cu fasole, ciorbă de burtă, covrig, papanasi Bitlong and droewors, boerewors, Cape Malay curry, bobotie, melkert, gatsby, bunny chow Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight Paella, tapas, tortilla, gazpacho, pulpo a la gallega, callos a la madrileña, churros Sancocho de gallina, carimanola, empanadas, tamales panameños, tostones, ropa vieja Chilaquiles, tacos al pastor, chile rellenos, cochinita pibil, tostadas, pozole
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 Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee 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! Fondas (roadside stalls), smaller local restaurants, local markets, food trucks Taco stands, esquite stalls, El Fogon, El Pirata, Dona Mary's
Vegetarian / vegan options 33 listings on Happy Cow 24 options on HappyCow 59 listings on Happy Cow 85 listings on Happy Cow 7 options on HappyCow 72 listings on Happy Cow