Buenos Aires vs Cape Town vs Istanbul vs Madrid vs Mexico City vs Sofia vs Valencia

Buenos Aires 🇦🇷
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Cape Town 🇿🇦
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Madrid 🇪🇸
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Mexico City 🇲🇽
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Sofia 🇧🇬
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Valencia 🇪🇸
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Population 2,900,000 4,617,560 15,520,000 6,578,0179 8,850,000 1,270,169 834,000
Official language(s) Spanish Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English Turkish Spanish Spanish Bulgarian Spanish, Valencian
Level of English High Very high Low Moderate Moderate High Moderate
Main airport Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE) Cape Town International Airport (CPT) Istanbul Airport (IST) Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) Mexico City International Airport (MEX) Sofia International Airport (SOF) Valencia Manises Airport (VLC)
Most common months to visit September - December March - May, September - November April - June, September and October March - May, September - November March - May, October, November April-June, September-October March - June, September, October
Currency ARS - Argentine Peso ($) ZAR - South African Rand (R) TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) EUR - Euro (€) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) BGN - Bulgarian Lev (лв) EUR - Euro (€)
Credit cards Accepted everywhere. (ID required!) Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops Accepted in most places Accepted everywhere Widely accepted (less with AMEX) Accepted everywhere Accepted almost everywhere
Remote worker visa No No No Yes Yes No Yes
Average monthly costs $1321 $1549 $659 $2498 $1867 $1289 $1976
Rent $844 $618 $354 $1174 $778 $567 $869
Groceries $98 $129 $44 $175 $281 $10 $146
Dining out $121 $269 $81 $313 $182 $227 $292
Cafe $25 $32 $18 $51 $49 $27 $42
Coworking space $95 $151 $49 $196 $159 $140 $152
Mobile internet $11 $27 $3 $10 $25 $10 $16
Public transportation $9 $55 $6 $78 $11 $30 $38
Taxis $9 $21 $6 $44 $9 $12 $42
Shared bicycles and scooters $14 $49 $2 $49 $24 $40 $30
Sport and cultural events $24 $19 $11 $54 $81 $18 $73
Museums and sights $4 $15 $15 $20 $20 $12 $44
Nightlife $23 $43 $22 $82 $64 $82 $66
Gym $14 $36 $9 $44 $69 $23 $34
Yoga $19 $56 $23 $142 $65 $62 $87
Massage $10 $30 $15 $64 $51 $29 $45
SIM card options Movistar, Claro, Personal MTN, Vodacom Turkcell, Turk Telekom Orange, Movistar, Vodafone Telcel, Movistar A1, Telenor, Vivacom Vodafone, Orange
Tipping 10% at restaurants and cafés is common, not common at bars 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars Not customary or expected but small tips are appreciated. 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services 10% in restaurants, 1-2 BGN at bars and cafés Round up for good service at restaurants, not common at bars
Taxi apps Uber (not official), Cabify, BA Taxi (Spanish only) Uber, Bolt BiTaksi Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now Uber TaxiMe, TaxiStars Cabify, FreeNow
Tap water Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Drinkable Not 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 sautéed vegetables and dry-cured meats. Creamy desserts and liqueurs compliment large and flavorful meals. A fusion of cultures creates diverse dishes with bulgur, koftes, stews, eggplants and fish Fresh, regional produce accentuated with garlic and olive oil and mixed with various meats and seafoods. Influenced both by Mediterranean and Middle-Eastern flavors. Corn, beans, tortillas and chili peppers typically alongside meat and cheese Vegetables and mild spices are often mixed with dairy products to create rich chicken and pork products. Seafood dishes also popular in some regions of the country, making them popular in the capital. 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 Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight Paella, tapas, tortilla, gazpacho, pulpo a la gallega, callos a la madrileña, churros Enchiladas, torta de chilaquiles, esquites, quesadillas, tlacoyos, tacos, tostadas Kebapche, Bulgarian musaka, lyutenitsa, shkember chorba, kyufte, kavarma, banitsa and tarator Paella, fideuà, esgarrat, orxata, bunyols
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 Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee 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! Markets, food stalls, menú del día (cheap set lunch menus) Taverns, local BBQ restaurants, local markets and smaller eateries in residential and university areas. Tapas bars, markets, menu del dia (cheap set lunches)
Vegetarian / vegan options 79 options on Happy Cow 24 options on HappyCow 59 listings on Happy Cow 85 listings on Happy Cow 279 listings on Happy Cow 20 options on HappyCow 98 listings on Happy Cow