Buenos Aires vs Cape Town vs Chiang Mai vs Lisbon vs Prague vs Rio de Janeiro

Buenos Aires 🇦🇷
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Cape Town 🇿🇦
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Chiang Mai 🇹🇭
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Lisbon 🇵🇹
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Prague 🇨🇿
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Rio de Janeiro 🇧🇷
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Population 2,900,000 4,617,560 1,166,978 517,000 1,305,737 6,718,903
Official language(s) Spanish Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English Thai Portuguese Czech Portuguese
Level of English High Very high Low Very high High Low
Main airport Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE) Cape Town International Airport (CPT) Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) Václav Havel Airport Prague (PRG) Galeão International Airport
Most common months to visit September - December March - May, September - November November - April March - May, September, October June - October January - March, December
Currency ARS - Argentine Peso ($) ZAR - South African Rand (R) THB - Thai Baht (฿) EUR - Euro (€) CZK - Czech Koruna (Kč) BRL - Brazilian Real (R$)
Credit cards Accepted everywhere. (ID required!) Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops Accepted sometimes. Cash preferred in many places. Accepted almost everywhere (less for AMEX) Accepted most places (some places are cash only) Accepted everywhere
Remote worker visa No No No Yes Yes No
Average monthly costs $1321 $1549 $974 $1984 $1806 $1833
Rent $844 $618 $274 $965 $780 $1066
Groceries $98 $129 $169 $136 $158 $95
Dining out $121 $269 $108 $271 $240 $210
Cafe $25 $32 $45 $37 $53 $25
Coworking space $95 $151 $95 $164 $175 $130
Mobile internet $11 $27 $11 $24 $24 $7
Public transportation $9 $55 $60 $63 $61 $33
Taxis $9 $21 $20 $27 $33 $14
Shared bicycles and scooters $14 $49 $10 $18 $19 $16
Sport and cultural events $24 $19 $8 $29 $19 $55
Museums and sights $4 $15 $8 $24 $35 $26
Nightlife $23 $43 $62 $47 $50 $54
Gym $14 $36 $41 $65 $56 $31
Yoga $19 $56 $55 $65 $66 $40
Massage $10 $30 $10 $50 $37 $32
SIM card options Movistar, Claro, Personal MTN, Vodacom AIS, DTAC Vodafone Vodafone, T-Mobile Tim, Claro, Vivo
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 5-10% for restaurants, not common at bars 10% at restaurants and bars, round up elsewhere 10% usually included in restaurants, 10% at bars and cafes with table service is common
Taxi apps Uber (not official), Cabify, BA Taxi (Spanish only) Uber, Bolt Grab Uber, FreeNow Uber, Liftago Easy Taxi, 99 Taxi, Uber
Tap water Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable 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 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. Fresh seafood, meats, soup, sausages and famous pastries Thick soups are often combined with stewed vegetables and baked meats to produce rich dishes. Gravies and creams are popular in Czech cuisine, as is beer! Emphasis on rice, beans, pork and beef with a variety of root vegetables and fresh fruits. Fresh seafood is also very common.
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 Bacalhau à bras, sardinhas, petiscos, leitão, polvo à lagareiro, pasteis de nata, bifana Vepřo knedlo zelo, Česnečka, Guláš, Svíčková na smetaně, Ovocné Knedlíky. Feijoada, bolinho de bacalhau, fried sardines, caldo verde, pao de queijo and brigadeiros.
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 Tascas, snack bars, seafood restaurants Pubs and taverns, street food stalls, local cafés 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.
Vegetarian / vegan options 79 options on Happy Cow 24 options on HappyCow 90 options on HappyCow 401 listings on Happy Cow 112 options on HappyCow 54 options on Happy Cow