Barcelona ๐ช๐ธ
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Buenos Aires ๐ฆ๐ท
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Cape Town ๐ฟ๐ฆ
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Larnaca ๐จ๐พ
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Lisbon ๐ต๐น
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Rio de Janeiro ๐ง๐ท
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Valencia ๐ช๐ธ
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Population | 5,585,556 | 2,900,000 | 4,617,560 | 144,900 | 517,000 | 6,718,903 | 834,000 |
Official language(s) | Catalan, Spanish | Spanish | Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English | Greek | Portuguese | Portuguese | Spanish, Valencian |
Level of English | High | High | Very high | High | Very high | Low | Moderate |
Main airport | Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) | Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE) | Cape Town International Airport (CPT) | Larnaca International Airport (LCA) | Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) | Galeรฃo International Airport | Valencia Manises Airport (VLC) |
Most common months to visit | April - June, September - November | September - December | March - May, September - November | March - May, October - December | March - May, September, October | January - March, December | March - June, September, October |
Currency | EUR - Euro (โฌ) | ARS - Argentine Peso ($) | ZAR - South African Rand (R) | EUR - Euro (โฌ) | EUR - Euro (โฌ) | BRL - Brazilian Real (R$) | EUR - Euro (โฌ) |
Credit cards | Accepted almost evewhere | Accepted everywhere. (ID required!) | Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops | Accepted everywhere | Accepted almost everywhere (less for AMEX) | Accepted everywhere | Accepted almost everywhere |
Remote worker visa | Yes | No | No | No | Yes | No | Yes |
Average monthly costs | $2384 | $1321 | $1549 | $1959 | $1984 | $1833 | $1976 |
Rent | $932 | $844 | $618 | $678 | $965 | $1066 | $869 |
Groceries | $121 | $98 | $129 | $157 | $136 | $95 | $146 |
Dining out | $403 | $121 | $269 | $261 | $271 | $210 | $292 |
Cafe | $45 | $25 | $32 | $56 | $37 | $25 | $42 |
Coworking space | $213 | $95 | $151 | $209 | $164 | $130 | $152 |
Mobile internet | $10 | $11 | $27 | $35 | $24 | $7 | $16 |
Public transportation | $127 | $9 | $55 | $63 | $63 | $33 | $38 |
Taxis | $48 | $9 | $21 | $42 | $27 | $14 | $42 |
Shared bicycles and scooters | $24 | $14 | $49 | $45 | $18 | $16 | $30 |
Sport and cultural events | $81 | $24 | $19 | $28 | $29 | $55 | $73 |
Museums and sights | $33 | $4 | $15 | $8 | $24 | $26 | $44 |
Nightlife | $112 | $23 | $43 | $110 | $47 | $54 | $66 |
Gym | $81 | $14 | $36 | $107 | $65 | $31 | $34 |
Yoga | $93 | $19 | $56 | $105 | $65 | $40 | $87 |
Massage | $59 | $10 | $30 | $54 | $50 | $32 | $45 |
SIM card options | Vodafone, Movistar | Movistar, Claro, Personal | MTN, Vodacom | Primetel, Cytamobile-Vodafone and Epic/MTN | Vodafone | Tim, Claro, Vivo | Vodafone, Orange |
Tipping | 5-10% in restaurants if service is exceptional, not expected elsewhere | 10% at restaurants and cafรฉs is common, not common at bars | 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere | 10% usually added and expected at restaurants, round up at bars | 5-10% for restaurants, not common at bars | 10% usually included in restaurants, 10% at bars and cafes with table service is common | Round up for good service at restaurants, not common at bars |
Taxi apps | Cabify, FreeNow | Uber (not official), Cabify, BA Taxi (Spanish only) | Uber, Bolt | nTaxi | Uber, FreeNow | Easy Taxi, 99 Taxi, Uber | Cabify, FreeNow |
Tap water | Drinkable | Not drinkable | Not drinkable | Not drinkable | Drinkable | Not drinkable | Drinkable |
Overall cuisine | Catalan cuisine makes extensive use of Mediterranean vegetables, legumes mixed with pork in its many varieties, chicken and fish. Regularly mixes sweet and savory flavors in specific dishes. This cuisine is known for being bold in flavor and striking in color, with a variety of specific regional dishes found the culinary hub that is Barcelona. | 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. | 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 | Emphasis on rice, beans, pork and beef with a variety of root vegetables and fresh fruits. Fresh seafood is also very common. | Mediterranean style using vegetables, seafoods and meats |
Local food specialities | Paella, bombas, esqueixada, pa amb tomรกquet, escalivada, crema Catalana, gazpacho, chorizo | Asado, empanadas (Argentinian style), locro, milanesa napolitana, facturas and alfajores | Bitlong and droewors, boerewors, Cape Malay curry, bobotie, melkert, gatsby, bunny chow | Souvlaki, sheftalia, kleftiko, stifado, halloumi, koukepia and moussaka | Bacalhau ร bras, sardinhas, petiscos, leitรฃo, polvo ร lagareiro, pasteis de nata, bifana | Feijoada, bolinho de bacalhau, fried sardines, caldo verde, pao de queijo and brigadeiros. | Paella, fideuร , esgarrat, orxata, bunyols |
Eat like a local | Taverns, tapas bars, local markets, bodegas and street food spots | 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 | 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 | The "snack capital" of Brazil, Rio is a perfect place to try street food as well as the wide varieties of small, traditional eateries and churrascarias easily found across the city. | Tapas bars, markets, menu del dia (cheap set lunches) |
Vegetarian / vegan options | 98 options on HappyCow | 79 options on Happy Cow | 24 options on HappyCow | 14 options on HappyCow, but non-meat Mediterranean/Middle Eastern options are always available | 401 listings on Happy Cow | 54 options on Happy Cow | 98 listings on Happy Cow |