Berlin vs Buenos Aires vs Cape Town vs Istanbul vs Panama City

Berlin 🇩🇪
Remove
Buenos Aires 🇦🇷
Remove
Cape Town 🇿🇦
Remove
Istanbul 🇹🇷
Remove
Panama City 🇵🇦
Remove
Population 3,400,000 2,900,000 4,617,560 15,520,000 880,691
Official language(s) German Spanish Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English Turkish Spanish
Level of English Very high High Very high Low Low
Main airport Berlin Tegel (TXL) Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE) Cape Town International Airport (CPT) Istanbul Airport (IST) Tocumen International Airport (PTY)
Most common months to visit May - September September - December March - May, September - November April - June, September and October December - April
Currency EUR - Euro (€) ARS - Argentine Peso ($) ZAR - South African Rand (R) TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) PAB - Panamanian Balboa (B/.)
Credit cards Accepted in some places but cash often preferred Accepted everywhere. (ID required!) Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops Accepted in most places Accepted almost everywhere but not in smaller shops.
Remote worker visa Yes No No No Yes
Average monthly costs $2200 $1321 $1549 $659 $2359
Rent $939 $844 $618 $354 $1036
Groceries $188 $98 $129 $44 $236
Dining out $271 $121 $269 $81 $371
Cafe $57 $25 $32 $18 $43
Coworking space $174 $95 $151 $49 $157
Mobile internet $23 $11 $27 $3 $21
Public transportation $88 $9 $55 $6 $12
Taxis $58 $9 $21 $6 $48
Shared bicycles and scooters $17 $14 $49 $2 $0
Sport and cultural events $64 $24 $19 $11 $35
Museums and sights $37 $4 $15 $15 $9
Nightlife $63 $23 $43 $22 $117
Gym $66 $14 $36 $9 $37
Yoga $99 $19 $56 $23 $163
Massage $56 $10 $30 $15 $75
SIM card options Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone Movistar, Claro, Personal MTN, Vodacom Turkcell, Turk Telekom Claro, Movistar
Tipping Round up for restaurants, not common for bars and services 10% at restaurants and cafés is common, not common at bars 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars 10% in restaurants, round up elsewhere
Taxi apps Mytaxi, Uber Uber (not official), Cabify, BA Taxi (Spanish only) Uber, Bolt BiTaksi Uber, Tu Chofer
Tap water Drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable
Overall cuisine Heavy and hearty meals with plenty of meat, potatoes and bread 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. A fusion of cultures creates diverse dishes with bulgur, koftes, stews, eggplants and fish Latin American. Emphasis on rice, beans, coconut, and local fruits and vegetables. Pork and beef are regularly used and influence from the islands gives seafood dishes a prominent spot in Panamanian cuisine.
Local food specialities Currywurst, spätzle, königsberger klopse, schnitzel, eisbein, doner kebab, pretzels Asado, empanadas (Argentinian style), locro, milanesa napolitana, facturas and alfajores Bitlong and droewors, boerewors, Cape Malay curry, bobotie, melkert, gatsby, bunny chow Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight Sancocho de gallina, carimanola, empanadas, tamales panameños, tostones, ropa vieja
Eat like a local Brew pubs, cafes, bars, deli shops 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 Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee Fondas (roadside stalls), smaller local restaurants, local markets, food trucks
Vegetarian / vegan options 844 listings on Happy Cow 79 options on Happy Cow 24 options on HappyCow 59 listings on Happy Cow 7 options on HappyCow