Bucharest vs Cape Town vs Istanbul vs Medellin vs Mexico City vs Playa del Carmen

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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Playa del Carmen 🇲🇽
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Population 1,830,000 4,617,560 15,520,000 2,427,000 8,850,000 259,453
Official language(s) Romanian Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English Turkish Spanish Spanish Spanish
Level of English High Very high Low Low Moderate Moderate
Main airport Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP) Cape Town International Airport (CPT) Istanbul Airport (IST) José María Córdova International Airport (MDE) Mexico City International Airport (MEX) Cancun International Airport (CUN)
Most common months to visit April - October March - May, September - November April - June, September and October January - April, December March - May, October, November January - May, October - December
Currency RON - Romanian Leu (L) ZAR - South African Rand (R) TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) COP - Colombian Peso ($) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) MXN - Mexican Peso ($)
Credit cards 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) Accepted almost everywhere
Remote worker visa No No No No Yes Yes
Average monthly costs $1351 $1549 $659 $1293 $1867 $2143
Rent $615 $618 $354 $732 $778 $923
Groceries $114 $129 $44 $87 $281 $127
Dining out $165 $269 $81 $131 $182 $207
Cafe $38 $32 $18 $18 $49 $42
Coworking space $133 $151 $49 $96 $159 $160
Mobile internet $7 $27 $3 $16 $25 $21
Public transportation $21 $55 $6 $21 $11 $17
Taxis $9 $21 $6 $14 $9 $9
Shared bicycles and scooters $25 $49 $2 $0 $24 $49
Sport and cultural events $29 $19 $11 $8 $81 $97
Museums and sights $29 $15 $15 $9 $20 $217
Nightlife $45 $43 $22 $73 $64 $77
Gym $30 $36 $9 $15 $69 $42
Yoga $59 $56 $23 $54 $65 $54
Massage $31 $30 $15 $20 $51 $101
SIM card options Vodafone, Orange MTN, Vodacom Turkcell, Turk Telekom Claro, Tigo Telcel, 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 Tip 10% in restaurants 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services 10-15% for restaurants
Taxi apps Star Taxi, Uber Uber, Bolt BiTaksi EasyTaxi Uber N/A
Tap water Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not 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 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 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 Bandeja paisa, ajiaco, mondongo, empanada, and arepa Enchiladas, torta de chilaquiles, esquites, quesadillas, tlacoyos, tacos, tostadas 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 Street stalls for empanada and arepa with cheese, restaurants for traditional Colombian food Markets, food stalls, menú del día (cheap set lunch menus) 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 153 listings on Happy Cow 279 listings on Happy Cow 72 listings on Happy Cow