Buenos Aires vs Cape Town vs Chiang Mai vs Istanbul vs Panama City

Buenos Aires 🇦🇷
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Cape Town 🇿🇦
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Chiang Mai 🇹🇭
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Panama City 🇵🇦
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Population 2,900,000 4,617,560 1,166,978 15,520,000 880,691
Official language(s) Spanish Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English Thai Turkish Spanish
Level of English High Very high Low Low Low
Main airport Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE) Cape Town International Airport (CPT) Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) Istanbul Airport (IST) Tocumen International Airport (PTY)
Most common months to visit September - December March - May, September - November November - April April - June, September and October December - April
Currency ARS - Argentine Peso ($) ZAR - South African Rand (R) THB - Thai Baht (฿) TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) PAB - Panamanian Balboa (B/.)
Credit cards Accepted everywhere. (ID required!) Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops Accepted sometimes. Cash preferred in many places. Accepted in most places Accepted almost everywhere but not in smaller shops.
Remote worker visa No No No No Yes
Average monthly costs $1321 $1549 $974 $659 $2359
Rent $844 $618 $274 $354 $1036
Groceries $98 $129 $169 $44 $236
Dining out $121 $269 $108 $81 $371
Cafe $25 $32 $45 $18 $43
Coworking space $95 $151 $95 $49 $157
Mobile internet $11 $27 $11 $3 $21
Public transportation $9 $55 $60 $6 $12
Taxis $9 $21 $20 $6 $48
Shared bicycles and scooters $14 $49 $10 $2 $0
Sport and cultural events $24 $19 $8 $11 $35
Museums and sights $4 $15 $8 $15 $9
Nightlife $23 $43 $62 $22 $117
Gym $14 $36 $41 $9 $37
Yoga $19 $56 $55 $23 $163
Massage $10 $30 $10 $15 $75
SIM card options Movistar, Claro, Personal MTN, Vodacom AIS, DTAC Turkcell, Turk Telekom Claro, Movistar
Tipping 10% at restaurants and cafés is common, not common at bars 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere 10% at restaurants, not customary or expected elsewhere Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars 10% in restaurants, round up elsewhere
Taxi apps Uber (not official), Cabify, BA Taxi (Spanish only) Uber, Bolt Grab BiTaksi Uber, Tu Chofer
Tap water Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not 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 sautéed 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. 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 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 Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight Sancocho de gallina, carimanola, empanadas, tamales panameños, tostones, ropa vieja
Eat like a local 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 Street food stalls, local markets, bakeries and smaller, traditional restaurants that serve fresh food Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee Fondas (roadside stalls), smaller local restaurants, local markets, food trucks
Vegetarian / vegan options 79 options on Happy Cow 24 options on HappyCow 90 options on HappyCow 59 listings on Happy Cow 7 options on HappyCow