Austin vs Buenos Aires vs Cape Town vs Larnaca vs Mexico City

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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Larnaca ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡พ
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Mexico City ๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ
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Population 926,426 2,900,000 4,617,560 144,900 8,850,000
Official language(s) English (de facto) Spanish Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English Greek Spanish
Level of English Very high High Very high High Moderate
Main airport Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE) Cape Town International Airport (CPT) Larnaca International Airport (LCA) Mexico City International Airport (MEX)
Most common months to visit March - May, September - November September - December March - May, September - November March - May, October - December March - May, October, November
Currency USD - US Dollar ($) ARS - Argentine Peso ($) ZAR - South African Rand (R) EUR - Euro (โ‚ฌ) MXN - Mexican Peso ($)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted everywhere. (ID required!) Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops Accepted everywhere Widely accepted (less with AMEX)
Remote worker visa No No No No Yes
Average monthly costs $3484 $1321 $1549 $1959 $1867
Rent $1650 $844 $618 $678 $778
Groceries $243 $98 $129 $157 $281
Dining out $396 $121 $269 $261 $182
Cafe $66 $25 $32 $56 $49
Coworking space $331 $95 $151 $209 $159
Mobile internet $40 $11 $27 $35 $25
Public transportation $110 $9 $55 $63 $11
Taxis $73 $9 $21 $42 $9
Shared bicycles and scooters $96 $14 $49 $45 $24
Sport and cultural events $54 $24 $19 $28 $81
Museums and sights $11 $4 $15 $8 $20
Nightlife $124 $23 $43 $110 $64
Gym $62 $14 $36 $107 $69
Yoga $139 $19 $56 $105 $65
Massage $89 $10 $30 $54 $51
SIM card options AT&T, T-Mobile. Movistar, Claro, Personal MTN, Vodacom Primetel, Cytamobile-Vodafone and Epic/MTN 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 10% usually added and expected at restaurants, round up at bars 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services
Taxi apps Uber, Lyft Uber (not official), Cabify, BA Taxi (Spanish only) Uber, Bolt nTaxi Uber
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. Mediterranean style with emphasis on seafood, meats, olives, cheesed and traditional sauces. Some food with Middle Eastern influences as well.. Corn, beans, tortillas and chili peppers typically alongside meat and cheese
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 Souvlaki, sheftalia, kleftiko, stifado, halloumi, koukepia and moussaka Enchiladas, torta de chilaquiles, esquites, quesadillas, tlacoyos, tacos, tostadas
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 Opt for smaller, outside eateries and taverns serving traditional foods. Fast food kebab shops and falafel bars offer authentic options, too. Markets, food stalls, menรบ del dรญa (cheap set lunch menus)
Vegetarian / vegan options 30 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 279 listings on Happy Cow