Buenos Aires vs Cape Town vs Chiang Mai vs Larnaca vs Lisbon vs New York City

Buenos Aires ๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ท
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Cape Town ๐Ÿ‡ฟ๐Ÿ‡ฆ
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Chiang Mai ๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ญ
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Larnaca ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡พ
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Lisbon ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น
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New York City ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ
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Population 2,900,000 4,617,560 1,166,978 144,900 517,000 8,323,340
Official language(s) Spanish Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English Thai Greek Portuguese English (de facto)
Level of English High Very high Low High Very high Very high
Main airport Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE) Cape Town International Airport (CPT) Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) Larnaca International Airport (LCA) Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
Most common months to visit September - December March - May, September - November November - April March - May, October - December March - May, September, October April - June, September - November
Currency ARS - Argentine Peso ($) ZAR - South African Rand (R) THB - Thai Baht (เธฟ) EUR - Euro (โ‚ฌ) EUR - Euro (โ‚ฌ) USD - US Dollar ($)
Credit cards Accepted everywhere. (ID required!) Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops Accepted sometimes. Cash preferred in many places. Accepted everywhere Accepted almost everywhere (less for AMEX) Accepted everywhere
Remote worker visa No No No No Yes No
Average monthly costs $1321 $1549 $974 $1959 $1984 $5431
Rent $844 $618 $274 $678 $965 $2891
Groceries $98 $129 $169 $157 $136 $383
Dining out $121 $269 $108 $261 $271 $656
Cafe $25 $32 $45 $56 $37 $72
Coworking space $95 $151 $95 $209 $164 $326
Mobile internet $11 $27 $11 $35 $24 $45
Public transportation $9 $55 $60 $63 $63 $220
Taxis $9 $21 $20 $42 $27 $78
Shared bicycles and scooters $14 $49 $10 $45 $18 $30
Sport and cultural events $24 $19 $8 $28 $29 $100
Museums and sights $4 $15 $8 $8 $24 $74
Nightlife $23 $43 $62 $110 $47 $195
Gym $14 $36 $41 $107 $65 $55
Yoga $19 $56 $55 $105 $65 $197
Massage $10 $30 $10 $54 $50 $109
SIM card options Movistar, Claro, Personal MTN, Vodacom AIS, DTAC Primetel, Cytamobile-Vodafone and Epic/MTN Vodafone AT&T, Verizon
Tipping 10% at restaurants and cafรฉs is common, not common at bars 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere 10% at restaurants, not customary or expected elsewhere 10% usually added and expected at restaurants, round up at bars 5-10% for restaurants, not common at bars 15-20% at restaurants, 1 USD per drink at bars
Taxi apps Uber (not official), Cabify, BA Taxi (Spanish only) Uber, Bolt Grab nTaxi Uber, FreeNow Uber, Lyft
Tap water Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable 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 sautรฉed 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. 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 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.
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 Souvlaki, sheftalia, kleftiko, stifado, halloumi, koukepia and moussaka Bacalhau ร  bras, sardinhas, petiscos, leitรฃo, polvo ร  lagareiro, pasteis de nata, bifana Pizza, clam chowder, bagels, corned beef, pastrami, cheesecake, hot dogs, and hundred of other international food options.
Eat like a local Local restaurants serving asados grill-to-dish (Parrillas), markets (San Telmo, Recoleta) and local cafรฉs for matรฉ 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 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 Delis, local pizza shops, street food stalls and food trucks, food markets, local bakeries and smaller, authentic international cuisine restaurants
Vegetarian / vegan options 79 options on Happy Cow 24 options on HappyCow 90 options on HappyCow 14 options on HappyCow, but non-meat Mediterranean/Middle Eastern options are always available 401 listings on Happy Cow 309 options on HappyCow