Bucharest vs Istanbul vs Madrid vs Mexico City vs Panama City vs Seoul

Bucharest 🇷🇴
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Madrid 🇪🇸
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Mexico City 🇲🇽
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Panama City 🇵🇦
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Seoul 🇰🇷
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Population 1,830,000 15,520,000 6,578,0179 8,850,000 880,691 9,963,452
Official language(s) Romanian Turkish Spanish Spanish Spanish Korean
Level of English High Low Moderate Moderate Low Moderate
Main airport Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP) Istanbul Airport (IST) Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) Mexico City International Airport (MEX) Tocumen International Airport (PTY) Incheon International Airport (ICN)
Most common months to visit April - October April - June, September and October March - May, September - November March - May, October, November December - April March - May, September - November
Currency RON - Romanian Leu (L) TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) EUR - Euro (€) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) PAB - Panamanian Balboa (B/.) KRW - South Korean won (₩)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted in most places Accepted everywhere Widely accepted (less with AMEX) Accepted almost everywhere but not in smaller shops. Accepted everywhere
Remote worker visa No No Yes Yes Yes No
Average monthly costs $1351 $659 $2498 $1867 $2359 $2184
Rent $615 $354 $1174 $778 $1036 $797
Groceries $114 $44 $175 $281 $236 $356
Dining out $165 $81 $313 $182 $371 $211
Cafe $38 $18 $51 $49 $43 $69
Coworking space $133 $49 $196 $159 $157 $222
Mobile internet $7 $3 $10 $25 $21 $40
Public transportation $21 $6 $78 $11 $12 $40
Taxis $9 $6 $44 $9 $48 $41
Shared bicycles and scooters $25 $2 $49 $24 $0 $13
Sport and cultural events $29 $11 $54 $81 $35 $39
Museums and sights $29 $15 $20 $20 $9 $6
Nightlife $45 $22 $82 $64 $117 $93
Gym $30 $9 $44 $69 $37 $69
Yoga $59 $23 $142 $65 $163 $112
Massage $31 $15 $64 $51 $75 $75
SIM card options Vodafone, Orange Turkcell, Turk Telekom Orange, Movistar, Vodafone Telcel, Movistar Claro, Movistar KT, SK Telecom, LG Uplus
Tipping 5% - 10% at restaurants, 5% - 10% tip for services is appreciated but not expected, round up for taxis Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars Not customary or expected but small tips are appreciated. 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services 10% in restaurants, round up elsewhere Not customary or expected
Taxi apps Star Taxi, Uber BiTaksi Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now Uber Uber, Tu Chofer Uber, Kakao
Tap water Not drinkable Not drinkable Drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Drinkable
Overall cuisine 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 Fresh, regional produce accentuated with garlic and olive oil and mixed with various meats and seafoods. Influenced both by Mediterranean and Middle-Eastern flavors. 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. Emphasis on rice, vegetables, spices and meats. Main dishes are coupled with diverse side dishes and desserts. Strong driking culture.
Local food specialities Sarmale, mămăligă, mici, ciolan cu fasole, ciorbă de burtă, covrig, papanasi Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight Paella, tapas, tortilla, gazpacho, pulpo a la gallega, callos a la madrileña, churros Enchiladas, torta de chilaquiles, esquites, quesadillas, tlacoyos, tacos, tostadas Sancocho de gallina, carimanola, empanadas, tamales panameños, tostones, ropa vieja Kimchi, bulgogi, chap chae, mandu, sam gae tang, bossam
Eat like a local Set lunch menus, cafe terraces, cofeterias Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee 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! Markets, food stalls, menú del día (cheap set lunch menus) Fondas (roadside stalls), smaller local restaurants, local markets, food trucks Smaller, local eateries (sikdang), street stalls and local markets
Vegetarian / vegan options 33 listings on Happy Cow 59 listings on Happy Cow 85 listings on Happy Cow 279 listings on Happy Cow 7 options on HappyCow 57 options on Happy Cow