Bucharest vs Budapest vs Chiang Mai vs Mexico City vs New York City vs Playa del Carmen vs Porto

Bucharest 🇷🇴
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Budapest 🇭🇺
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Chiang Mai 🇹🇭
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Mexico City 🇲🇽
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New York City 🇺🇸
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Playa del Carmen 🇲🇽
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Porto 🇵🇹
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Population 1,830,000 1,768,073 1,166,978 8,850,000 8,323,340 259,453 237,559
Official language(s) Romanian Hungarian Thai Spanish English (de facto) Spanish Portuguese
Level of English High High Low Moderate Very high Moderate Very High
Main airport Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP) Budapest Ferihegy International Airport (BUD) Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) Mexico City International Airport (MEX) John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) Cancun International Airport (CUN) Francisco Sá Carneiro International Airport (OPO)
Most common months to visit April - October March - June, September - November November - April March - May, October, November April - June, September - November January - May, October - December May - September
Currency RON - Romanian Leu (L) HUF - Hungarian Forint (Ft) THB - Thai Baht (฿) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) USD - US Dollar ($) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) EUR - Euro (€)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted almost everywhere, cash needed for small shops Accepted sometimes. Cash preferred in many places. Widely accepted (less with AMEX) Accepted everywhere Accepted almost everywhere Accepted everywhere
Remote worker visa No No No Yes No Yes Yes
Average monthly costs $1351 $1230 $974 $1867 $5431 $2143 $1759
Rent $615 $499 $274 $778 $2891 $923 $717
Groceries $114 $108 $169 $281 $383 $127 $148
Dining out $165 $202 $108 $182 $656 $207 $280
Cafe $38 $29 $45 $49 $72 $42 $45
Coworking space $133 $120 $95 $159 $326 $160 $96
Mobile internet $7 $9 $11 $25 $45 $21 $21
Public transportation $21 $36 $60 $11 $220 $17 $95
Taxis $9 $27 $20 $9 $78 $9 $25
Shared bicycles and scooters $25 $13 $10 $24 $30 $49 $10
Sport and cultural events $29 $24 $8 $81 $100 $97 $45
Museums and sights $29 $7 $8 $20 $74 $217 $24
Nightlife $45 $43 $62 $64 $195 $77 $66
Gym $30 $37 $41 $69 $55 $42 $56
Yoga $59 $48 $55 $65 $197 $54 $82
Massage $31 $26 $10 $51 $109 $101 $48
SIM card options Vodafone, Orange Vodafone, Telenor AIS, DTAC Telcel, Movistar AT&T, Verizon Telcel, Movistar Vodafone, MEO, NOS
Tipping 5% - 10% at restaurants, 5% - 10% tip for services is appreciated but not expected, round up for taxis 10 - 15% at restaurants and bars 10% at restaurants, not customary or expected elsewhere 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services 15-20% at restaurants, 1 USD per drink at bars 10-15% for restaurants 5-10% at restaurants if happy with service, not expected at cafes or bars
Taxi apps Star Taxi, Uber Bolt, Fotaxi Grab Uber Uber, Lyft N/A Uber, MyTaxi, Cabify
Tap water Not drinkable Drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable 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. 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. Corn, beans, tortillas and chili peppers typically alongside meat and cheese American. Emphasis on comfort and fast food, with some good seafood dishes. Influence from other regions of the US, North America and the world make NYC a cosmopolitan and international cuisine hub that is incredibly diverse. Staple dishes from maize, beans, sweet potato and avocado along with meat, chili peppers and other spices A variety of meats often mixed with fresh legumes and vegetables. Emphasis on rich seafood dishes and creamy desserts.
Local food specialities Sarmale, mămăligă, mici, ciolan cu fasole, ciorbă de burtă, covrig, papanasi 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 Enchiladas, torta de chilaquiles, esquites, quesadillas, tlacoyos, tacos, tostadas Pizza, clam chowder, bagels, corned beef, pastrami, cheesecake, hot dogs, and hundred of other international food options. Chilaquiles, tacos al pastor, chile rellenos, cochinita pibil, tostadas, pozole Bacalhau, Alheira de Mirandela, Francesinha, queido da serra da estrela, tripas a moda do Oporto, pasteis de chaves, tarte de amendoa
Eat like a local Set lunch menus, cafe terraces, cofeterias Local markets, cafés, taverns, street food, traditional restaurants Street food stalls, local markets, bakeries and smaller, traditional restaurants that serve fresh food Markets, food stalls, menú del día (cheap set lunch menus) Delis, local pizza shops, street food stalls and food trucks, food markets, local bakeries and smaller, authentic international cuisine restaurants Taco stands, esquite stalls, El Fogon, El Pirata, Dona Mary's Local taverns, terraces, markets, tascas, churrascarias and local sports bars
Vegetarian / vegan options 33 listings on Happy Cow 47 options on HappyCow 90 options on HappyCow 279 listings on Happy Cow 309 options on HappyCow 72 listings on Happy Cow 46 options on Happy Cow