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Barcelona 🇪🇸
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Bucharest 🇷🇴
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Cape Town 🇿🇦
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Medellin 🇨🇴
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Mexico City 🇲🇽
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| Population | 5,585,556 | 1,830,000 | 4,617,560 | 15,520,000 | 2,427,000 | 8,850,000 |
| Official language(s) | Catalan, Spanish | Romanian | Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English | Turkish | Spanish | Spanish |
| Level of English | High | High | Very high | Low | Low | Moderate |
| Main airport | Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) | Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP) | Cape Town International Airport (CPT) | Istanbul Airport (IST) | José MarÃa Córdova International Airport (MDE) | Mexico City International Airport (MEX) |
| Most common months to visit | April - June, September - November | April - October | March - May, September - November | April - June, September and October | January - April, December | March - May, October, November |
| Currency | EUR - Euro (€) | RON - Romanian Leu (L) | ZAR - South African Rand (R) | TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) | COP - Colombian Peso ($) | MXN - Mexican Peso ($) |
| Credit cards | Accepted almost evewhere | Accepted almost everywhere | Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops | Accepted in most places | Accepted in some places | Widely accepted (less with AMEX) |
| Remote worker visa | Yes | No | No | No | No | Yes |
| Average monthly costs | $2384 | $1351 | $1549 | $659 | $1293 | $1867 |
| Rent | $932 | $615 | $618 | $354 | $732 | $778 |
| Groceries | $121 | $114 | $129 | $44 | $87 | $281 |
| Dining out | $403 | $165 | $269 | $81 | $131 | $182 |
| Cafe | $45 | $38 | $32 | $18 | $18 | $49 |
| Coworking space | $213 | $133 | $151 | $49 | $96 | $159 |
| Mobile internet | $10 | $7 | $27 | $3 | $16 | $25 |
| Public transportation | $127 | $21 | $55 | $6 | $21 | $11 |
| Taxis | $48 | $9 | $21 | $6 | $14 | $9 |
| Shared bicycles and scooters | $24 | $25 | $49 | $2 | $0 | $24 |
| Sport and cultural events | $81 | $29 | $19 | $11 | $8 | $81 |
| Museums and sights | $33 | $29 | $15 | $15 | $9 | $20 |
| Nightlife | $112 | $45 | $43 | $22 | $73 | $64 |
| Gym | $81 | $30 | $36 | $9 | $15 | $69 |
| Yoga | $93 | $59 | $56 | $23 | $54 | $65 |
| Massage | $59 | $31 | $30 | $15 | $20 | $51 |
| SIM card options | Vodafone, Movistar | Vodafone, Orange | MTN, Vodacom | Turkcell, Turk Telekom | Claro, Tigo | Telcel, Movistar |
| Tipping | 5-10% in restaurants if service is exceptional, not expected elsewhere | 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 | Tip 10% in restaurants | 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services |
| Taxi apps | Cabify, FreeNow | Star Taxi, Uber | Uber, Bolt | BiTaksi | EasyTaxi | Uber |
| Tap water | Drinkable | Not drinkable | Not drinkable | Not drinkable | Not drinkable | Not drinkable |
| Overall cuisine | Catalan cuisine makes extensive use of Mediterranean vegetables, legumes mixed with pork in its many varieties, chicken and fish. Regularly mixes sweet and savory flavors in specific dishes. This cuisine is known for being bold in flavor and striking in color, with a variety of specific regional dishes found the culinary hub that is Barcelona. | 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 | A blend of indigenous and European traditions with rice, maize, cassava, assorted legumes, and meats | Corn, beans, tortillas and chili peppers typically alongside meat and cheese |
| Local food specialities | Paella, bombas, esqueixada, pa amb tomáquet, escalivada, crema Catalana, gazpacho, chorizo | 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 | Bandeja paisa, ajiaco, mondongo, empanada, and arepa | Enchiladas, torta de chilaquiles, esquites, quesadillas, tlacoyos, tacos, tostadas |
| Eat like a local | Taverns, tapas bars, local markets, bodegas and street food spots | 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 | Street stalls for empanada and arepa with cheese, restaurants for traditional Colombian food | Markets, food stalls, menú del dÃa (cheap set lunch menus) |
| Vegetarian / vegan options | 98 options on HappyCow | 33 listings on Happy Cow | 24 options on HappyCow | 59 listings on Happy Cow | 153 listings on Happy Cow | 279 listings on Happy Cow |