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

Bucharest 🇷🇴
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Mexico City 🇲🇽
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Panama City 🇵🇦
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Playa del Carmen 🇲🇽
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Seoul 🇰🇷
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Sofia 🇧🇬
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Population 1,830,000 15,520,000 8,850,000 880,691 259,453 9,963,452 1,270,169
Official language(s) Romanian Turkish Spanish Spanish Spanish Korean Bulgarian
Level of English High Low Moderate Low Moderate Moderate High
Main airport 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) Sofia International Airport (SOF)
Most common months to visit April - October April - June, September and October March - May, October, November December - April January - May, October - December March - May, September - November April-June, September-October
Currency RON - Romanian Leu (L) TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) PAB - Panamanian Balboa (B/.) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) KRW - South Korean won (₩) BGN - Bulgarian Lev (лв)
Credit cards 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 Accepted everywhere
Remote worker visa No No Yes Yes Yes No No
Average monthly costs $1351 $659 $1867 $2359 $2143 $2184 $1289
Rent $615 $354 $778 $1036 $923 $797 $567
Groceries $114 $44 $281 $236 $127 $356 $10
Dining out $165 $81 $182 $371 $207 $211 $227
Cafe $38 $18 $49 $43 $42 $69 $27
Coworking space $133 $49 $159 $157 $160 $222 $140
Mobile internet $7 $3 $25 $21 $21 $40 $10
Public transportation $21 $6 $11 $12 $17 $40 $30
Taxis $9 $6 $9 $48 $9 $41 $12
Shared bicycles and scooters $25 $2 $24 $0 $49 $13 $40
Sport and cultural events $29 $11 $81 $35 $97 $39 $18
Museums and sights $29 $15 $20 $9 $217 $6 $12
Nightlife $45 $22 $64 $117 $77 $93 $82
Gym $30 $9 $69 $37 $42 $69 $23
Yoga $59 $23 $65 $163 $54 $112 $62
Massage $31 $15 $51 $75 $101 $75 $29
SIM card options Vodafone, Orange Turkcell, Turk Telekom Telcel, Movistar Claro, Movistar Telcel, Movistar KT, SK Telecom, LG Uplus A1, Telenor, Vivacom
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 10-15% for restaurants Not customary or expected 10% in restaurants, 1-2 BGN at bars and cafés
Taxi apps Star Taxi, Uber BiTaksi Uber Uber, Tu Chofer N/A Uber, Kakao TaxiMe, TaxiStars
Tap water Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not 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. 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. Vegetables and mild spices are often mixed with dairy products to create rich chicken and pork products. Seafood dishes also popular in some regions of the country, making them popular in the capital.
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 Chilaquiles, tacos al pastor, chile rellenos, cochinita pibil, tostadas, pozole Kimchi, bulgogi, chap chae, mandu, sam gae tang, bossam Kebapche, Bulgarian musaka, lyutenitsa, shkember chorba, kyufte, kavarma, banitsa and tarator
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 Taco stands, esquite stalls, El Fogon, El Pirata, Dona Mary's Smaller, local eateries (sikdang), street stalls and local markets Taverns, local BBQ restaurants, local markets and smaller eateries in residential and university areas.
Vegetarian / vegan options 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 20 options on HappyCow