Bucharest vs Cape Town vs Istanbul vs Mexico City vs Panama City

Bucharest 🇷🇴
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Cape Town 🇿🇦
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Mexico City 🇲🇽
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Panama City 🇵🇦
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Population 1,830,000 4,617,560 15,520,000 8,850,000 880,691
Official language(s) Romanian Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English Turkish Spanish Spanish
Level of English High Very high Low Moderate Low
Main airport Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP) Cape Town International Airport (CPT) Istanbul Airport (IST) Mexico City International Airport (MEX) Tocumen International Airport (PTY)
Most common months to visit April - October March - May, September - November April - June, September and October March - May, October, November December - April
Currency RON - Romanian Leu (L) ZAR - South African Rand (R) TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) PAB - Panamanian Balboa (B/.)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops Accepted in most places Widely accepted (less with AMEX) Accepted almost everywhere but not in smaller shops.
Remote worker visa No No No Yes Yes
Average monthly costs $1351 $1549 $659 $1867 $2359
Rent $615 $618 $354 $778 $1036
Groceries $114 $129 $44 $281 $236
Dining out $165 $269 $81 $182 $371
Cafe $38 $32 $18 $49 $43
Coworking space $133 $151 $49 $159 $157
Mobile internet $7 $27 $3 $25 $21
Public transportation $21 $55 $6 $11 $12
Taxis $9 $21 $6 $9 $48
Shared bicycles and scooters $25 $49 $2 $24 $0
Sport and cultural events $29 $19 $11 $81 $35
Museums and sights $29 $15 $15 $20 $9
Nightlife $45 $43 $22 $64 $117
Gym $30 $36 $9 $69 $37
Yoga $59 $56 $23 $65 $163
Massage $31 $30 $15 $51 $75
SIM card options Vodafone, Orange MTN, Vodacom Turkcell, Turk Telekom Telcel, Movistar 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, round up elsewhere Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services 10% in restaurants, round up elsewhere
Taxi apps Star Taxi, Uber Uber, Bolt BiTaksi Uber Uber, Tu Chofer
Tap water 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 Corn, beans, tortillas and chili peppers typically alongside meat and cheese 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 Bitlong and droewors, boerewors, Cape Malay curry, bobotie, melkert, gatsby, bunny chow Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight Enchiladas, torta de chilaquiles, esquites, quesadillas, tlacoyos, tacos, tostadas Sancocho de gallina, carimanola, empanadas, tamales panameños, tostones, ropa vieja
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 Markets, food stalls, menú del día (cheap set lunch menus) Fondas (roadside stalls), smaller local restaurants, local markets, food trucks
Vegetarian / vegan options 33 listings on Happy Cow 24 options on HappyCow 59 listings on Happy Cow 279 listings on Happy Cow 7 options on HappyCow