Austin vs Buenos Aires vs Cape Town vs Da Nang vs Playa del Carmen

Austin ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ
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Buenos Aires ๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ท
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Cape Town ๐Ÿ‡ฟ๐Ÿ‡ฆ
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Da Nang ๐Ÿ‡ป๐Ÿ‡ณ
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Playa del Carmen ๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ
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Population 926,426 2,900,000 4,617,560 1,125,316 259,453
Official language(s) English (de facto) Spanish Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English Vietnamese Spanish
Level of English Very high High Very high Low Moderate
Main airport Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE) Cape Town International Airport (CPT) Da Nang International Airport (DAD) Cancun International Airport (CUN)
Most common months to visit March - May, September - November September - December March - May, September - November February - May January - May, October - December
Currency USD - US Dollar ($) ARS - Argentine Peso ($) ZAR - South African Rand (R) VND - Vietnamese Dong (โ‚ซ) MXN - Mexican Peso ($)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted everywhere. (ID required!) Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops Accepted in some places. Cash also needed. Accepted almost everywhere
Remote worker visa No No No No Yes
Average monthly costs $3484 $1321 $1549 $959 $2143
Rent $1650 $844 $618 $316 $923
Groceries $243 $98 $129 $161 $127
Dining out $396 $121 $269 $128 $207
Cafe $66 $25 $32 $35 $42
Coworking space $331 $95 $151 $88 $160
Mobile internet $40 $11 $27 $4 $21
Public transportation $110 $9 $55 $15 $17
Taxis $73 $9 $21 $15 $9
Shared bicycles and scooters $96 $14 $49 $0 $49
Sport and cultural events $54 $24 $19 $6 $97
Museums and sights $11 $4 $15 $2 $217
Nightlife $124 $23 $43 $74 $77
Gym $62 $14 $36 $34 $42
Yoga $139 $19 $56 $71 $54
Massage $89 $10 $30 $10 $101
SIM card options AT&T, T-Mobile. Movistar, Claro, Personal MTN, Vodacom Viettel, Vinafone Telcel, Movistar
Tipping 15-20% at restaurants, 1USD or more per drink at cafes and bars 10% at restaurants and cafรฉs is common, not common at bars 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere 5-15% in restaurants, round up at bars and cafes 10-15% for restaurants
Taxi apps Uber, Lyft Uber (not official), Cabify, BA Taxi (Spanish only) Uber, Bolt Grab N/A
Tap water Drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable
Overall cuisine Emphasis on barbecued meats (beef and pork) as well as corn-based dishes and tex-mex, and rich American-style desserts. 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. Healthy and with robust flavors, Vietnamese cuisine combines noodles and rice with a variety of greens and local herbs to compliment specially seasoned pork, beef or seafood dishes. In Da Nang, you'll find a strong emphasis on barbecued seafood dishes as well as fish-based sauces. Staple dishes from maize, beans, sweet potato and avocado along with meat, chili peppers and other spices
Local food specialities Frito pie, queso, apple pie, kolaches, BBQ ribs, tacos Asado, empanadas (Argentinian style), locro, milanesa napolitana, facturas and alfajores Bitlong and droewors, boerewors, Cape Malay curry, bobotie, melkert, gatsby, bunny chow Chao Tom, Bahn Xeo, Goi Cuon, Bun Thit Nuong, Bahn Cuon, Mi Quang, Bun nam, Bun cha ca Chilaquiles, tacos al pastor, chile rellenos, cochinita pibil, tostadas, pozole
Eat like a local Local tex-mex restaurants, lunch BBQ joints, taquerias, food trucks, local breweries 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 Smaller, local restaurants, roadside eateries, street food stalls and local markets Taco stands, esquite stalls, El Fogon, El Pirata, Dona Mary's
Vegetarian / vegan options 30 options on HappyCow 79 options on Happy Cow 24 options on HappyCow 107 options on HappyCow 72 listings on Happy Cow