Buenos Aires vs Cape Town vs Chiang Mai vs Istanbul vs Larnaca vs Lisbon

Buenos Aires 🇦🇷
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Cape Town 🇿🇦
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Chiang Mai 🇹🇭
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Larnaca 🇨🇾
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Lisbon 🇵🇹
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Population 2,900,000 4,617,560 1,166,978 15,520,000 144,900 517,000
Official language(s) Spanish Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English Thai Turkish Greek Portuguese
Level of English High Very high Low Low High Very high
Main airport Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE) Cape Town International Airport (CPT) Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) Istanbul Airport (IST) Larnaca International Airport (LCA) Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS)
Most common months to visit September - December March - May, September - November November - April April - June, September and October March - May, October - December March - May, September, October
Currency ARS - Argentine Peso ($) ZAR - South African Rand (R) THB - Thai Baht (฿) TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) EUR - Euro (€) EUR - Euro (€)
Credit cards Accepted everywhere. (ID required!) Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops Accepted sometimes. Cash preferred in many places. Accepted in most places Accepted everywhere Accepted almost everywhere (less for AMEX)
Remote worker visa No No No No No Yes
Average monthly costs $1321 $1549 $974 $659 $1959 $1984
Rent $844 $618 $274 $354 $678 $965
Groceries $98 $129 $169 $44 $157 $136
Dining out $121 $269 $108 $81 $261 $271
Cafe $25 $32 $45 $18 $56 $37
Coworking space $95 $151 $95 $49 $209 $164
Mobile internet $11 $27 $11 $3 $35 $24
Public transportation $9 $55 $60 $6 $63 $63
Taxis $9 $21 $20 $6 $42 $27
Shared bicycles and scooters $14 $49 $10 $2 $45 $18
Sport and cultural events $24 $19 $8 $11 $28 $29
Museums and sights $4 $15 $8 $15 $8 $24
Nightlife $23 $43 $62 $22 $110 $47
Gym $14 $36 $41 $9 $107 $65
Yoga $19 $56 $55 $23 $105 $65
Massage $10 $30 $10 $15 $54 $50
SIM card options Movistar, Claro, Personal MTN, Vodacom AIS, DTAC Turkcell, Turk Telekom Primetel, Cytamobile-Vodafone and Epic/MTN Vodafone
Tipping 10% at restaurants and cafés is common, not common at bars 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere 10% at restaurants, not customary or expected elsewhere Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars 10% usually added and expected at restaurants, round up at bars 5-10% for restaurants, not common at bars
Taxi apps Uber (not official), Cabify, BA Taxi (Spanish only) Uber, Bolt Grab BiTaksi nTaxi Uber, FreeNow
Tap water Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Drinkable
Overall cuisine Argentinian style with an emphasis on red meats, pastries, and Italian-inspired options 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. 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 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
Local food specialities Asado, empanadas (Argentinian style), locro, milanesa napolitana, facturas and alfajores Bitlong and droewors, boerewors, Cape Malay curry, bobotie, melkert, gatsby, bunny chow Khao soi, khan toke, sai oua, miang kham, nam prik, khanom jeen nam ngiaw, larb khua Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight Souvlaki, sheftalia, kleftiko, stifado, halloumi, koukepia and moussaka Bacalhau à bras, sardinhas, petiscos, leitão, polvo à lagareiro, pasteis de nata, bifana
Eat like a local Local restaurants serving asados grill-to-dish (Parrillas), markets (San Telmo, Recoleta) and local cafés for maté and facturas Cape Malay shacks, food trucks, street food joints, local grills, small bakeries and food markets 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 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
Vegetarian / vegan options 79 options on Happy Cow 24 options on HappyCow 90 options on HappyCow 59 listings on Happy Cow 14 options on HappyCow, but non-meat Mediterranean/Middle Eastern options are always available 401 listings on Happy Cow