Bucharest vs Budapest vs Chiang Mai vs Panama City vs Sofia

Bucharest 🇷🇴
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Budapest 🇭🇺
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Chiang Mai 🇹🇭
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Panama City 🇵🇦
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Sofia 🇧🇬
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Population 1,830,000 1,768,073 1,166,978 880,691 1,270,169
Official language(s) Romanian Hungarian Thai Spanish Bulgarian
Level of English High High Low Low High
Main airport Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP) Budapest Ferihegy International Airport (BUD) Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) Tocumen International Airport (PTY) Sofia International Airport (SOF)
Most common months to visit April - October March - June, September - November November - April December - April April-June, September-October
Currency RON - Romanian Leu (L) HUF - Hungarian Forint (Ft) THB - Thai Baht (฿) PAB - Panamanian Balboa (B/.) BGN - Bulgarian Lev (лв)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted almost everywhere, cash needed for small shops Accepted sometimes. Cash preferred in many places. Accepted almost everywhere but not in smaller shops. Accepted everywhere
Remote worker visa No No No Yes No
Average monthly costs $1351 $1230 $974 $2359 $1289
Rent $615 $499 $274 $1036 $567
Groceries $114 $108 $169 $236 $10
Dining out $165 $202 $108 $371 $227
Cafe $38 $29 $45 $43 $27
Coworking space $133 $120 $95 $157 $140
Mobile internet $7 $9 $11 $21 $10
Public transportation $21 $36 $60 $12 $30
Taxis $9 $27 $20 $48 $12
Shared bicycles and scooters $25 $13 $10 $0 $40
Sport and cultural events $29 $24 $8 $35 $18
Museums and sights $29 $7 $8 $9 $12
Nightlife $45 $43 $62 $117 $82
Gym $30 $37 $41 $37 $23
Yoga $59 $48 $55 $163 $62
Massage $31 $26 $10 $75 $29
SIM card options Vodafone, Orange Vodafone, Telenor AIS, DTAC Claro, Movistar A1, Telenor, Vivacom
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% in restaurants, round up elsewhere 10% in restaurants, 1-2 BGN at bars and cafés
Taxi apps Star Taxi, Uber Bolt, Fotaxi Grab Uber, Tu Chofer TaxiMe, TaxiStars
Tap water Not drinkable Drinkable Not drinkable Not 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. 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. 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. 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 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 Sancocho de gallina, carimanola, empanadas, tamales panameños, tostones, ropa vieja Kebapche, Bulgarian musaka, lyutenitsa, shkember chorba, kyufte, kavarma, banitsa and tarator
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 Fondas (roadside stalls), smaller local restaurants, local markets, food trucks Taverns, local BBQ restaurants, local markets and smaller eateries in residential and university areas.
Vegetarian / vegan options 33 listings on Happy Cow 47 options on HappyCow 90 options on HappyCow 7 options on HappyCow 20 options on HappyCow