Bucharest vs Istanbul vs Mexico City vs Panama City vs Rio de Janeiro vs Seoul

Bucharest 🇷🇴
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Mexico City 🇲🇽
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Panama City 🇵🇦
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Rio de Janeiro 🇧🇷
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Seoul 🇰🇷
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Population 1,830,000 15,520,000 8,850,000 880,691 6,718,903 9,963,452
Official language(s) Romanian Turkish Spanish Spanish Portuguese Korean
Level of English High Low Moderate Low Low Moderate
Main airport Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP) Istanbul Airport (IST) Mexico City International Airport (MEX) Tocumen International Airport (PTY) Galeão International Airport Incheon International Airport (ICN)
Most common months to visit April - October April - June, September and October March - May, October, November December - April January - March, December March - May, September - November
Currency RON - Romanian Leu (L) TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) PAB - Panamanian Balboa (B/.) BRL - Brazilian Real (R$) KRW - South Korean won (₩)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted in most places Widely accepted (less with AMEX) Accepted almost everywhere but not in smaller shops. Accepted everywhere Accepted everywhere
Remote worker visa No No Yes Yes No No
Average monthly costs $1351 $659 $1867 $2359 $1833 $2184
Rent $615 $354 $778 $1036 $1066 $797
Groceries $114 $44 $281 $236 $95 $356
Dining out $165 $81 $182 $371 $210 $211
Cafe $38 $18 $49 $43 $25 $69
Coworking space $133 $49 $159 $157 $130 $222
Mobile internet $7 $3 $25 $21 $7 $40
Public transportation $21 $6 $11 $12 $33 $40
Taxis $9 $6 $9 $48 $14 $41
Shared bicycles and scooters $25 $2 $24 $0 $16 $13
Sport and cultural events $29 $11 $81 $35 $55 $39
Museums and sights $29 $15 $20 $9 $26 $6
Nightlife $45 $22 $64 $117 $54 $93
Gym $30 $9 $69 $37 $31 $69
Yoga $59 $23 $65 $163 $40 $112
Massage $31 $15 $51 $75 $32 $75
SIM card options Vodafone, Orange Turkcell, Turk Telekom Telcel, Movistar Claro, Movistar Tim, Claro, Vivo 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 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services 10% in restaurants, round up elsewhere 10% usually included in restaurants, 10% at bars and cafes with table service is common Not customary or expected
Taxi apps Star Taxi, Uber BiTaksi Uber Uber, Tu Chofer Easy Taxi, 99 Taxi, Uber Uber, Kakao
Tap water Not drinkable Not drinkable Not 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 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, beans, pork and beef with a variety of root vegetables and fresh fruits. Fresh seafood is also very common. 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 Enchiladas, torta de chilaquiles, esquites, quesadillas, tlacoyos, tacos, tostadas Sancocho de gallina, carimanola, empanadas, tamales panameños, tostones, ropa vieja Feijoada, bolinho de bacalhau, fried sardines, caldo verde, pao de queijo and brigadeiros. 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 Markets, food stalls, menú del día (cheap set lunch menus) Fondas (roadside stalls), smaller local restaurants, local markets, food trucks The "snack capital" of Brazil, Rio is a perfect place to try street food as well as the wide varieties of small, traditional eateries and churrascarias easily found across the city. Smaller, local eateries (sikdang), street stalls and local markets
Vegetarian / vegan options 33 listings on Happy Cow 59 listings on Happy Cow 279 listings on Happy Cow 7 options on HappyCow 54 options on Happy Cow 57 options on Happy Cow