Buenos Aires ๐ฆ๐ท
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Cape Town ๐ฟ๐ฆ
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Chiang Mai ๐น๐ญ
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Larnaca ๐จ๐พ
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Playa del Carmen ๐ฒ๐ฝ
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Porto ๐ต๐น
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Sofia ๐ง๐ฌ
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Ubud ๐ฎ๐ฉ
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Population | 2,900,000 | 4,617,560 | 1,166,978 | 144,900 | 259,453 | 237,559 | 1,270,169 | 112,490 |
Official language(s) | Spanish | Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English | Thai | Greek | Spanish | Portuguese | Bulgarian | Indonesian and Balinese |
Level of English | High | Very high | Low | High | Moderate | Very High | High | Low |
Main airport | Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE) | Cape Town International Airport (CPT) | Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) | Larnaca International Airport (LCA) | Cancun International Airport (CUN) | Francisco Sรก Carneiro International Airport (OPO) | Sofia International Airport (SOF) | Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPA) |
Most common months to visit | September - December | March - May, September - November | November - April | March - May, October - December | January - May, October - December | May - September | April-June, September-October | May - October |
Currency | ARS - Argentine Peso ($) | ZAR - South African Rand (R) | THB - Thai Baht (เธฟ) | EUR - Euro (โฌ) | MXN - Mexican Peso ($) | EUR - Euro (โฌ) | BGN - Bulgarian Lev (ะปะฒ) | IDR - Indonesian Rupiah (Rp) |
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 | Accepted everywhere | Accepted everywhere | Accepted in some places |
Remote worker visa | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
Average monthly costs | $1321 | $1549 | $974 | $1959 | $2143 | $1759 | $1289 | $1363 |
Rent | $844 | $618 | $274 | $678 | $923 | $717 | $567 | $658 |
Groceries | $98 | $129 | $169 | $157 | $127 | $148 | $10 | $150 |
Dining out | $121 | $269 | $108 | $261 | $207 | $280 | $227 | $10 |
Cafe | $25 | $32 | $45 | $56 | $42 | $45 | $27 | $28 |
Coworking space | $95 | $151 | $95 | $209 | $160 | $96 | $140 | $106 |
Mobile internet | $11 | $27 | $11 | $35 | $21 | $21 | $10 | $3 |
Public transportation | $9 | $55 | $60 | $63 | $17 | $95 | $30 | $53 |
Taxis | $9 | $21 | $20 | $42 | $9 | $25 | $12 | $13 |
Shared bicycles and scooters | $14 | $49 | $10 | $45 | $49 | $10 | $40 | $33 |
Sport and cultural events | $24 | $19 | $8 | $28 | $97 | $45 | $18 | $14 |
Museums and sights | $4 | $15 | $8 | $8 | $217 | $24 | $12 | $9 |
Nightlife | $23 | $43 | $62 | $110 | $77 | $66 | $82 | $118 |
Gym | $14 | $36 | $41 | $107 | $42 | $56 | $23 | $72 |
Yoga | $19 | $56 | $55 | $105 | $54 | $82 | $62 | $87 |
Massage | $10 | $30 | $10 | $54 | $101 | $48 | $29 | $10 |
SIM card options | Movistar, Claro, Personal | MTN, Vodacom | AIS, DTAC | Primetel, Cytamobile-Vodafone and Epic/MTN | Telcel, Movistar | Vodafone, MEO, NOS | A1, Telenor, Vivacom | Telkomsel, XL Axiata |
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 | 10-15% for restaurants | 5-10% at restaurants if happy with service, not expected at cafes or bars | 10% in restaurants, 1-2 BGN at bars and cafรฉs | Tip 5 - 10% in restaurants if service charge is not included in the bill |
Taxi apps | Uber (not official), Cabify, BA Taxi (Spanish only) | Uber, Bolt | Grab | nTaxi | N/A | Uber, MyTaxi, Cabify | TaxiMe, TaxiStars | Grab, GoJek |
Tap water | Not drinkable | Not drinkable | Not drinkable | Not drinkable | Not drinkable | Drinkable | Not drinkable | Not 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.. | Staple dishes from maize, beans, sweet potato and avocado along with meat, chili peppers and other spices | A variety of meats often mixed with fresh legumes and vegetables. Emphasis on rich seafood dishes and creamy desserts. | 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. | Balinese foods revolve on the complex flavors from certain ingredients like fresh vegetables, meat, coconut milk, and time-tested spices mixture. |
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 | Chilaquiles, tacos al pastor, chile rellenos, cochinita pibil, tostadas, pozole | Bacalhau, Alheira de Mirandela, Francesinha, queido da serra da estrela, tripas a moda do Oporto, pasteis de chaves, tarte de amendoa | Kebapche, Bulgarian musaka, lyutenitsa, shkember chorba, kyufte, kavarma, banitsa and tarator | Satay, nasi goreng, gado-gado, martabak, bubur sumsum |
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. | Taco stands, esquite stalls, El Fogon, El Pirata, Dona Mary's | Local taverns, terraces, markets, tascas, churrascarias and local sports bars | Taverns, local BBQ restaurants, local markets and smaller eateries in residential and university areas. | Warung for authentic babi guling and bebek betutu, cafes for kopi luwak, street stalls for pisang goreng, nasi campur, and sate lilit |
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 | 72 listings on Happy Cow | 46 options on Happy Cow | 20 options on HappyCow | 255 listings on Happy Cow |