Bucharest vs Budapest vs Cape Town vs Madrid vs Panama City

Bucharest 🇷🇴
Remove
Budapest 🇭🇺
Remove
Cape Town 🇿🇦
Remove
Madrid 🇪🇸
Remove
Panama City 🇵🇦
Remove
Population 1,830,000 1,768,073 4,617,560 6,578,0179 880,691
Official language(s) Romanian Hungarian Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English Spanish Spanish
Level of English High High Very high Moderate Low
Main airport Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP) Budapest Ferihegy International Airport (BUD) Cape Town International Airport (CPT) Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) Tocumen International Airport (PTY)
Most common months to visit April - October March - June, September - November March - May, September - November March - May, September - November December - April
Currency RON - Romanian Leu (L) HUF - Hungarian Forint (Ft) ZAR - South African Rand (R) EUR - Euro (€) PAB - Panamanian Balboa (B/.)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted almost everywhere, cash needed for small shops Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops Accepted everywhere Accepted almost everywhere but not in smaller shops.
Remote worker visa No No No Yes Yes
Average monthly costs $1351 $1230 $1549 $2498 $2359
Rent $615 $499 $618 $1174 $1036
Groceries $114 $108 $129 $175 $236
Dining out $165 $202 $269 $313 $371
Cafe $38 $29 $32 $51 $43
Coworking space $133 $120 $151 $196 $157
Mobile internet $7 $9 $27 $10 $21
Public transportation $21 $36 $55 $78 $12
Taxis $9 $27 $21 $44 $48
Shared bicycles and scooters $25 $13 $49 $49 $0
Sport and cultural events $29 $24 $19 $54 $35
Museums and sights $29 $7 $15 $20 $9
Nightlife $45 $43 $43 $82 $117
Gym $30 $37 $36 $44 $37
Yoga $59 $48 $56 $142 $163
Massage $31 $26 $30 $64 $75
SIM card options Vodafone, Orange Vodafone, Telenor MTN, Vodacom Orange, Movistar, Vodafone Claro, Movistar
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 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere Not customary or expected but small tips are appreciated. 10% in restaurants, round up elsewhere
Taxi apps Star Taxi, Uber Bolt, Fotaxi Uber, Bolt Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now Uber, Tu Chofer
Tap water Not drinkable Drinkable Not drinkable 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. 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. 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. 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.
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 Bitlong and droewors, boerewors, Cape Malay curry, bobotie, melkert, gatsby, bunny chow Paella, tapas, tortilla, gazpacho, pulpo a la gallega, callos a la madrileña, churros Sancocho de gallina, carimanola, empanadas, tamales panameños, tostones, ropa vieja
Eat like a local Set lunch menus, cafe terraces, cofeterias Local markets, cafés, taverns, street food, traditional restaurants Cape Malay shacks, food trucks, street food joints, local grills, small bakeries and food markets 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
Vegetarian / vegan options 33 listings on Happy Cow 47 options on HappyCow 24 options on HappyCow 85 listings on Happy Cow 7 options on HappyCow