Berlin vs Budapest vs Chiang Mai vs Istanbul vs Medellin vs Playa del Carmen

Berlin 🇩🇪
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Budapest 🇭🇺
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Chiang Mai 🇹🇭
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Medellin 🇨🇴
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Playa del Carmen 🇲🇽
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Population 3,400,000 1,768,073 1,166,978 15,520,000 2,427,000 259,453
Official language(s) German Hungarian Thai Turkish Spanish Spanish
Level of English Very high High Low Low Low Moderate
Main airport Berlin Tegel (TXL) Budapest Ferihegy International Airport (BUD) Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) Istanbul Airport (IST) José María Córdova International Airport (MDE) Cancun International Airport (CUN)
Most common months to visit May - September March - June, September - November November - April April - June, September and October January - April, December January - May, October - December
Currency EUR - Euro (€) HUF - Hungarian Forint (Ft) THB - Thai Baht (฿) TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) COP - Colombian Peso ($) MXN - Mexican Peso ($)
Credit cards Accepted in some places but cash often preferred Accepted almost everywhere, cash needed for small shops Accepted sometimes. Cash preferred in many places. Accepted in most places Accepted in some places Accepted almost everywhere
Remote worker visa Yes No No No No Yes
Average monthly costs $2200 $1230 $974 $659 $1293 $2143
Rent $939 $499 $274 $354 $732 $923
Groceries $188 $108 $169 $44 $87 $127
Dining out $271 $202 $108 $81 $131 $207
Cafe $57 $29 $45 $18 $18 $42
Coworking space $174 $120 $95 $49 $96 $160
Mobile internet $23 $9 $11 $3 $16 $21
Public transportation $88 $36 $60 $6 $21 $17
Taxis $58 $27 $20 $6 $14 $9
Shared bicycles and scooters $17 $13 $10 $2 $0 $49
Sport and cultural events $64 $24 $8 $11 $8 $97
Museums and sights $37 $7 $8 $15 $9 $217
Nightlife $63 $43 $62 $22 $73 $77
Gym $66 $37 $41 $9 $15 $42
Yoga $99 $48 $55 $23 $54 $54
Massage $56 $26 $10 $15 $20 $101
SIM card options Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone Vodafone, Telenor AIS, DTAC Turkcell, Turk Telekom Claro, Tigo Telcel, Movistar
Tipping Round up for restaurants, not common for bars and services 10 - 15% at restaurants and bars 10% at restaurants, not customary or expected elsewhere Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars Tip 10% in restaurants 10-15% for restaurants
Taxi apps Mytaxi, Uber Bolt, Fotaxi Grab BiTaksi EasyTaxi N/A
Tap water Drinkable Drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable
Overall cuisine Heavy and hearty meals with plenty of meat, potatoes and bread Magyar cuisine makes extensive use of creams, cheeses and sauces primarily in beef, chicken and pork dishes, mixed with seasonal vegetables, fruits and rich desserts. Combines salty, sweet, spicy and sour flavors to create bold and colorful dishes. Meals typically include a mixture of meat and seafood dishes, as well as noodles or soups recipes. Strong emphasis on local spices and vegetables. A fusion of cultures creates diverse dishes with bulgur, koftes, stews, eggplants and fish A blend of indigenous and European traditions with rice, maize, cassava, assorted legumes, and meats Staple dishes from maize, beans, sweet potato and avocado along with meat, chili peppers and other spices
Local food specialities Currywurst, spätzle, königsberger klopse, schnitzel, eisbein, doner kebab, pretzels Goulash, Fisherman's soup, Főzelék, Somloi Galuska, Pörkölt and Paprikás, Kürtös Kalács, Hungarian Lecsó, Lángos Khao soi, khan toke, sai oua, miang kham, nam prik, khanom jeen nam ngiaw, larb khua Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight Bandeja paisa, ajiaco, mondongo, empanada, and arepa Chilaquiles, tacos al pastor, chile rellenos, cochinita pibil, tostadas, pozole
Eat like a local Brew pubs, cafes, bars, deli shops Local markets, cafés, taverns, street food, traditional restaurants Street food stalls, local markets, bakeries and smaller, traditional restaurants that serve fresh food Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee Street stalls for empanada and arepa with cheese, restaurants for traditional Colombian food Taco stands, esquite stalls, El Fogon, El Pirata, Dona Mary's
Vegetarian / vegan options 844 listings on Happy Cow 47 options on HappyCow 90 options on HappyCow 59 listings on Happy Cow 153 listings on Happy Cow 72 listings on Happy Cow