Buenos Aires vs Cape Town vs Chiang Mai vs Madrid vs Medellin

Buenos Aires ๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ท
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Cape Town ๐Ÿ‡ฟ๐Ÿ‡ฆ
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Chiang Mai ๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ญ
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Madrid ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ
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Medellin ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ด
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Population 2,900,000 4,617,560 1,166,978 6,578,0179 2,427,000
Official language(s) Spanish Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English Thai Spanish Spanish
Level of English High Very high Low Moderate Low
Main airport Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE) Cape Town International Airport (CPT) Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) Josรฉ Marรญa Cรณrdova International Airport (MDE)
Most common months to visit September - December March - May, September - November November - April March - May, September - November January - April, December
Currency ARS - Argentine Peso ($) ZAR - South African Rand (R) THB - Thai Baht (เธฟ) EUR - Euro (โ‚ฌ) COP - Colombian Peso ($)
Credit cards Accepted everywhere. (ID required!) Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops Accepted sometimes. Cash preferred in many places. Accepted everywhere Accepted in some places
Remote worker visa No No No Yes No
Average monthly costs $1321 $1549 $974 $2498 $1293
Rent $844 $618 $274 $1174 $732
Groceries $98 $129 $169 $175 $87
Dining out $121 $269 $108 $313 $131
Cafe $25 $32 $45 $51 $18
Coworking space $95 $151 $95 $196 $96
Mobile internet $11 $27 $11 $10 $16
Public transportation $9 $55 $60 $78 $21
Taxis $9 $21 $20 $44 $14
Shared bicycles and scooters $14 $49 $10 $49 $0
Sport and cultural events $24 $19 $8 $54 $8
Museums and sights $4 $15 $8 $20 $9
Nightlife $23 $43 $62 $82 $73
Gym $14 $36 $41 $44 $15
Yoga $19 $56 $55 $142 $54
Massage $10 $30 $10 $64 $20
SIM card options Movistar, Claro, Personal MTN, Vodacom AIS, DTAC Orange, Movistar, Vodafone Claro, Tigo
Tipping 10% at restaurants and cafรฉs is common, not common at bars 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere 10% at restaurants, not customary or expected elsewhere Not customary or expected but small tips are appreciated. Tip 10% in restaurants
Taxi apps Uber (not official), Cabify, BA Taxi (Spanish only) Uber, Bolt Grab Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now EasyTaxi
Tap water Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Drinkable Not 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. Combines salty, sweet, spicy and sour flavors to create bold and colorful dishes. Meals typically include a mixture of meat and seafood dishes, as well as noodles or soups recipes. Strong emphasis on local spices and vegetables. Fresh, regional produce accentuated with garlic and olive oil and mixed with various meats and seafoods. Influenced both by Mediterranean and Middle-Eastern flavors. A blend of indigenous and European traditions with rice, maize, cassava, assorted legumes, 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 Khao soi, khan toke, sai oua, miang kham, nam prik, khanom jeen nam ngiaw, larb khua Paella, tapas, tortilla, gazpacho, pulpo a la gallega, callos a la madrileรฑa, churros Bandeja paisa, ajiaco, mondongo, empanada, and arepa
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 Street food stalls, local markets, bakeries and smaller, traditional restaurants that serve fresh food 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! Street stalls for empanada and arepa with cheese, restaurants for traditional Colombian food
Vegetarian / vegan options 79 options on Happy Cow 24 options on HappyCow 90 options on HappyCow 85 listings on Happy Cow 153 listings on Happy Cow