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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Madrid ๐ช๐ธ
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Rio de Janeiro ๐ง๐ท
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Valencia ๐ช๐ธ
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Population | 2,900,000 | 4,617,560 | 144,900 | 517,000 | 6,578,0179 | 6,718,903 | 834,000 |
Official language(s) | Spanish | Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English | Greek | Portuguese | Spanish | Portuguese | Spanish, Valencian |
Level of English | High | Very high | High | Very high | Moderate | Low | Moderate |
Main airport | Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE) | Cape Town International Airport (CPT) | Larnaca International Airport (LCA) | Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) | Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) | Galeรฃo International Airport | Valencia Manises Airport (VLC) |
Most common months to visit | September - December | March - May, September - November | March - May, October - December | March - May, September, October | March - May, September - November | January - March, December | March - June, September, October |
Currency | ARS - Argentine Peso ($) | ZAR - South African Rand (R) | EUR - Euro (โฌ) | EUR - Euro (โฌ) | EUR - Euro (โฌ) | BRL - Brazilian Real (R$) | EUR - Euro (โฌ) |
Credit cards | 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 everywhere | Accepted almost everywhere |
Remote worker visa | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
Average monthly costs | $1321 | $1549 | $1959 | $1984 | $2498 | $1833 | $1976 |
Rent | $844 | $618 | $678 | $965 | $1174 | $1066 | $869 |
Groceries | $98 | $129 | $157 | $136 | $175 | $95 | $146 |
Dining out | $121 | $269 | $261 | $271 | $313 | $210 | $292 |
Cafe | $25 | $32 | $56 | $37 | $51 | $25 | $42 |
Coworking space | $95 | $151 | $209 | $164 | $196 | $130 | $152 |
Mobile internet | $11 | $27 | $35 | $24 | $10 | $7 | $16 |
Public transportation | $9 | $55 | $63 | $63 | $78 | $33 | $38 |
Taxis | $9 | $21 | $42 | $27 | $44 | $14 | $42 |
Shared bicycles and scooters | $14 | $49 | $45 | $18 | $49 | $16 | $30 |
Sport and cultural events | $24 | $19 | $28 | $29 | $54 | $55 | $73 |
Museums and sights | $4 | $15 | $8 | $24 | $20 | $26 | $44 |
Nightlife | $23 | $43 | $110 | $47 | $82 | $54 | $66 |
Gym | $14 | $36 | $107 | $65 | $44 | $31 | $34 |
Yoga | $19 | $56 | $105 | $65 | $142 | $40 | $87 |
Massage | $10 | $30 | $54 | $50 | $64 | $32 | $45 |
SIM card options | Movistar, Claro, Personal | MTN, Vodacom | Primetel, Cytamobile-Vodafone and Epic/MTN | Vodafone | Orange, Movistar, Vodafone | Tim, Claro, Vivo | Vodafone, Orange |
Tipping | 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 | Not customary or expected but small tips are appreciated. | 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 | Uber (not official), Cabify, BA Taxi (Spanish only) | Uber, Bolt | nTaxi | Uber, FreeNow | Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now | Easy Taxi, 99 Taxi, Uber | Cabify, FreeNow |
Tap water | Not drinkable | Not drinkable | Not drinkable | Drinkable | Drinkable | Not 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. | 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 | Fresh, regional produce accentuated with garlic and olive oil and mixed with various meats and seafoods. Influenced both by Mediterranean and Middle-Eastern flavors. | 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 | 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 | Paella, tapas, tortilla, gazpacho, pulpo a la gallega, callos a la madrileรฑa, churros | Feijoada, bolinho de bacalhau, fried sardines, caldo verde, pao de queijo and brigadeiros. | Paella, fideuร , esgarrat, orxata, bunyols |
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 | 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 | Have some tapas and sangria at a tasca and paella at an authentic eatery. Keep an eye on the time and visit a cafeteria for a mid-afternoon merienda and some churros! | 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 | 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 | 85 listings on Happy Cow | 54 options on Happy Cow | 98 listings on Happy Cow |