Budapest vs Lisbon vs Madrid vs Mexico City vs Rio de Janeiro

Budapest 🇭🇺
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Lisbon 🇵🇹
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Madrid 🇪🇸
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Mexico City 🇲🇽
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Rio de Janeiro 🇧🇷
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Population 1,768,073 517,000 6,578,0179 8,850,000 6,718,903
Official language(s) Hungarian Portuguese Spanish Spanish Portuguese
Level of English High Very high Moderate Moderate Low
Main airport Budapest Ferihegy International Airport (BUD) Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) Mexico City International Airport (MEX) Galeão International Airport
Most common months to visit March - June, September - November March - May, September, October March - May, September - November March - May, October, November January - March, December
Currency HUF - Hungarian Forint (Ft) EUR - Euro (€) EUR - Euro (€) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) BRL - Brazilian Real (R$)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere, cash needed for small shops Accepted almost everywhere (less for AMEX) Accepted everywhere Widely accepted (less with AMEX) Accepted everywhere
Remote worker visa No Yes Yes Yes No
Average monthly costs $1230 $1984 $2498 $1867 $1833
Rent $499 $965 $1174 $778 $1066
Groceries $108 $136 $175 $281 $95
Dining out $202 $271 $313 $182 $210
Cafe $29 $37 $51 $49 $25
Coworking space $120 $164 $196 $159 $130
Mobile internet $9 $24 $10 $25 $7
Public transportation $36 $63 $78 $11 $33
Taxis $27 $27 $44 $9 $14
Shared bicycles and scooters $13 $18 $49 $24 $16
Sport and cultural events $24 $29 $54 $81 $55
Museums and sights $7 $24 $20 $20 $26
Nightlife $43 $47 $82 $64 $54
Gym $37 $65 $44 $69 $31
Yoga $48 $65 $142 $65 $40
Massage $26 $50 $64 $51 $32
SIM card options Vodafone, Telenor Vodafone Orange, Movistar, Vodafone Telcel, Movistar Tim, Claro, Vivo
Tipping 10 - 15% at restaurants and 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% usually included in restaurants, 10% at bars and cafes with table service is common
Taxi apps Bolt, Fotaxi Uber, FreeNow Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now Uber Easy Taxi, 99 Taxi, Uber
Tap water 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. 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 Emphasis on rice, beans, pork and beef with a variety of root vegetables and fresh fruits. Fresh seafood is also very common.
Local food specialities Goulash, Fisherman's soup, Főzelék, Somloi Galuska, Pörkölt and Paprikás, Kürtös Kalács, Hungarian Lecsó, Lángos 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 Feijoada, bolinho de bacalhau, fried sardines, caldo verde, pao de queijo and brigadeiros.
Eat like a local Local markets, cafés, taverns, street food, traditional restaurants 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) The "snack capital" of Brazil, Rio is a perfect place to try street food as well as the wide varieties of small, traditional eateries and churrascarias easily found across the city.
Vegetarian / vegan options 47 options on HappyCow 401 listings on Happy Cow 85 listings on Happy Cow 279 listings on Happy Cow 54 options on Happy Cow