Budapest vs Cape Town vs Larnaca vs Lisbon vs Madrid vs Mexico City vs Sofia

Budapest 🇭🇺
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Cape Town 🇿🇦
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Larnaca 🇨🇾
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Lisbon 🇵🇹
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Madrid 🇪🇸
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Mexico City 🇲🇽
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Sofia 🇧🇬
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Population 1,768,073 4,617,560 144,900 517,000 6,578,0179 8,850,000 1,270,169
Official language(s) Hungarian Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English Greek Portuguese Spanish Spanish Bulgarian
Level of English High Very high High Very high Moderate Moderate High
Main airport Budapest Ferihegy International Airport (BUD) Cape Town International Airport (CPT) Larnaca International Airport (LCA) Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) Mexico City International Airport (MEX) Sofia International Airport (SOF)
Most common months to visit March - June, September - November March - May, September - November March - May, October - December March - May, September, October March - May, September - November March - May, October, November April-June, September-October
Currency HUF - Hungarian Forint (Ft) ZAR - South African Rand (R) EUR - Euro (€) EUR - Euro (€) EUR - Euro (€) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) BGN - Bulgarian Lev (лв)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere, cash needed for small shops Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops Accepted everywhere Accepted almost everywhere (less for AMEX) Accepted everywhere Widely accepted (less with AMEX) Accepted everywhere
Remote worker visa No No No Yes Yes Yes No
Average monthly costs $1230 $1549 $1959 $1984 $2498 $1867 $1289
Rent $499 $618 $678 $965 $1174 $778 $567
Groceries $108 $129 $157 $136 $175 $281 $10
Dining out $202 $269 $261 $271 $313 $182 $227
Cafe $29 $32 $56 $37 $51 $49 $27
Coworking space $120 $151 $209 $164 $196 $159 $140
Mobile internet $9 $27 $35 $24 $10 $25 $10
Public transportation $36 $55 $63 $63 $78 $11 $30
Taxis $27 $21 $42 $27 $44 $9 $12
Shared bicycles and scooters $13 $49 $45 $18 $49 $24 $40
Sport and cultural events $24 $19 $28 $29 $54 $81 $18
Museums and sights $7 $15 $8 $24 $20 $20 $12
Nightlife $43 $43 $110 $47 $82 $64 $82
Gym $37 $36 $107 $65 $44 $69 $23
Yoga $48 $56 $105 $65 $142 $65 $62
Massage $26 $30 $54 $50 $64 $51 $29
SIM card options Vodafone, Telenor MTN, Vodacom Primetel, Cytamobile-Vodafone and Epic/MTN Vodafone Orange, Movistar, Vodafone Telcel, Movistar A1, Telenor, Vivacom
Tipping 10 - 15% at restaurants and bars 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere 10% usually added and expected at restaurants, round up at bars 5-10% for restaurants, not common at bars Not customary or expected but small tips are appreciated. 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services 10% in restaurants, 1-2 BGN at bars and cafés
Taxi apps Bolt, Fotaxi Uber, Bolt nTaxi Uber, FreeNow Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now Uber TaxiMe, TaxiStars
Tap water Drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Drinkable Drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable
Overall 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. South African cuisine has been shaped by a long history of Dutch, Malay, British and Indian settlements, making the food diverse and strong in flavor. There is a strong emphasis on game in all of its different forms, as well as spicy sauces and sautéed vegetables and dry-cured meats. Creamy desserts and liqueurs compliment large and flavorful meals. Mediterranean style with emphasis on seafood, meats, olives, cheesed and traditional sauces. Some food with Middle Eastern influences as well.. Fresh seafood, meats, soup, sausages and famous pastries Fresh, regional produce accentuated with garlic and olive oil and mixed with various meats and seafoods. Influenced both by Mediterranean and Middle-Eastern flavors. Corn, beans, tortillas and chili peppers typically alongside meat and cheese 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 Goulash, Fisherman's soup, Főzelék, Somloi Galuska, Pörkölt and Paprikás, Kürtös Kalács, Hungarian Lecsó, Lángos Bitlong and droewors, boerewors, Cape Malay curry, bobotie, melkert, gatsby, bunny chow Souvlaki, sheftalia, kleftiko, stifado, halloumi, koukepia and moussaka Bacalhau à bras, sardinhas, petiscos, leitão, polvo à lagareiro, pasteis de nata, bifana Paella, tapas, tortilla, gazpacho, pulpo a la gallega, callos a la madrileña, churros Enchiladas, torta de chilaquiles, esquites, quesadillas, tlacoyos, tacos, tostadas Kebapche, Bulgarian musaka, lyutenitsa, shkember chorba, kyufte, kavarma, banitsa and tarator
Eat like a local Local markets, cafés, taverns, street food, traditional restaurants Cape Malay shacks, food trucks, street food joints, local grills, small bakeries and food markets Opt for smaller, outside eateries and taverns serving traditional foods. Fast food kebab shops and falafel bars offer authentic options, too. Tascas, snack bars, seafood restaurants Have some tapas and sangria at a tasca and paella at an authentic eatery. Keep an eye on the time and visit a cafeteria for a mid-afternoon merienda and some churros! Markets, food stalls, menú del día (cheap set lunch menus) Taverns, local BBQ restaurants, local markets and smaller eateries in residential and university areas.
Vegetarian / vegan options 47 options on HappyCow 24 options on HappyCow 14 options on HappyCow, but non-meat Mediterranean/Middle Eastern options are always available 401 listings on Happy Cow 85 listings on Happy Cow 279 listings on Happy Cow 20 options on HappyCow