Bangkok vs Bucharest vs Istanbul vs Mexico City vs Panama City vs Playa del Carmen vs Seoul

Bangkok ๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ญ
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Bucharest ๐Ÿ‡ท๐Ÿ‡ด
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Istanbul ๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท
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Mexico City ๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ
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Panama City ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฆ
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Playa del Carmen ๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ
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Seoul ๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท
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Population 5,680,000 1,830,000 15,520,000 8,850,000 880,691 259,453 9,963,452
Official language(s) Thai Romanian Turkish Spanish Spanish Spanish Korean
Level of English Low High Low Moderate Low Moderate Moderate
Main airport Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP) Istanbul Airport (IST) Mexico City International Airport (MEX) Tocumen International Airport (PTY) Cancun International Airport (CUN) Incheon International Airport (ICN)
Most common months to visit January - March, November, December April - October April - June, September and October March - May, October, November December - April January - May, October - December March - May, September - November
Currency THB - Thai Baht (เธฟ) RON - Romanian Leu (L) TRY - Turkish Lira (โ‚บ) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) PAB - Panamanian Balboa (B/.) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) KRW - South Korean won (โ‚ฉ)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted almost everywhere Accepted in most places Widely accepted (less with AMEX) Accepted almost everywhere but not in smaller shops. Accepted almost everywhere Accepted everywhere
Remote worker visa No No No Yes Yes Yes No
Average monthly costs $1560 $1351 $659 $1867 $2359 $2143 $2184
Rent $616 $615 $354 $778 $1036 $923 $797
Groceries $191 $114 $44 $281 $236 $127 $356
Dining out $168 $165 $81 $182 $371 $207 $211
Cafe $45 $38 $18 $49 $43 $42 $69
Coworking space $127 $133 $49 $159 $157 $160 $222
Mobile internet $23 $7 $3 $25 $21 $21 $40
Public transportation $32 $21 $6 $11 $12 $17 $40
Taxis $19 $9 $6 $9 $48 $9 $41
Shared bicycles and scooters $17 $25 $2 $24 $0 $49 $13
Sport and cultural events $46 $29 $11 $81 $35 $97 $39
Museums and sights $21 $29 $15 $20 $9 $217 $6
Nightlife $50 $45 $22 $64 $117 $77 $93
Gym $96 $30 $9 $69 $37 $42 $69
Yoga $98 $59 $23 $65 $163 $54 $112
Massage $11 $31 $15 $51 $75 $101 $75
SIM card options AIS Vodafone, Orange Turkcell, Turk Telekom Telcel, Movistar Claro, Movistar Telcel, Movistar KT, SK Telecom, LG Uplus
Tipping 10% for restaurants, bars and services 5% - 10% at restaurants, 5% - 10% tip for services is appreciated but not expected, round up for taxis Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafรฉs and bars 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services 10% in restaurants, round up elsewhere 10-15% for restaurants Not customary or expected
Taxi apps Grab Star Taxi, Uber BiTaksi Uber Uber, Tu Chofer N/A Uber, Kakao
Tap water Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Drinkable
Overall cuisine Meat and fish dishes, vegetables, noodles and soup Wide range of meat and fish dishes, soups, salads and cheeses influenced by German, Hungarian, Turkish, Greek and Ukrainian cuisine. 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. Staple dishes from maize, beans, sweet potato and avocado along with meat, chili peppers and other spices Emphasis on rice, vegetables, spices and meats. Main dishes are coupled with diverse side dishes and desserts. Strong driking culture.
Local food specialities Pad thai, tom yam, kway teow reua, som tum, sooan Sarmale, mฤƒmฤƒligฤƒ, mici, ciolan cu fasole, ciorbฤƒ de burtฤƒ, covrig, papanasi Dรถner, ฤฐรงli Kรถfte, Dondurma, Karnฤฑyarฤฑk, Turkish delight Enchiladas, torta de chilaquiles, esquites, quesadillas, tlacoyos, tacos, tostadas Sancocho de gallina, carimanola, empanadas, tamales panameรฑos, tostones, ropa vieja Chilaquiles, tacos al pastor, chile rellenos, cochinita pibil, tostadas, pozole Kimchi, bulgogi, chap chae, mandu, sam gae tang, bossam
Eat like a local Food stalls, local markets, shophouse restaurants Set lunch menus, cafe terraces, cofeterias Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee Markets, food stalls, menรบ del dรญa (cheap set lunch menus) Fondas (roadside stalls), smaller local restaurants, local markets, food trucks Taco stands, esquite stalls, El Fogon, El Pirata, Dona Mary's Smaller, local eateries (sikdang), street stalls and local markets
Vegetarian / vegan options 416 listings on Happy Cow 33 listings on Happy Cow 59 listings on Happy Cow 279 listings on Happy Cow 7 options on HappyCow 72 listings on Happy Cow 57 options on Happy Cow