Buenos Aires vs Chiang Mai vs Istanbul vs Medellin vs Mexico City

Buenos Aires 🇦🇷
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Chiang Mai 🇹🇭
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Medellin 🇨🇴
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Mexico City 🇲🇽
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Population 2,900,000 1,166,978 15,520,000 2,427,000 8,850,000
Official language(s) Spanish Thai Turkish Spanish Spanish
Level of English High Low Low Low Moderate
Main airport Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE) Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) Istanbul Airport (IST) José María Córdova International Airport (MDE) Mexico City International Airport (MEX)
Most common months to visit September - December November - April April - June, September and October January - April, December March - May, October, November
Currency ARS - Argentine Peso ($) THB - Thai Baht (฿) TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) COP - Colombian Peso ($) MXN - Mexican Peso ($)
Credit cards Accepted everywhere. (ID required!) Accepted sometimes. Cash preferred in many places. Accepted in most places Accepted in some places Widely accepted (less with AMEX)
Remote worker visa No No No No Yes
Average monthly costs $1321 $974 $659 $1293 $1867
Rent $844 $274 $354 $732 $778
Groceries $98 $169 $44 $87 $281
Dining out $121 $108 $81 $131 $182
Cafe $25 $45 $18 $18 $49
Coworking space $95 $95 $49 $96 $159
Mobile internet $11 $11 $3 $16 $25
Public transportation $9 $60 $6 $21 $11
Taxis $9 $20 $6 $14 $9
Shared bicycles and scooters $14 $10 $2 $0 $24
Sport and cultural events $24 $8 $11 $8 $81
Museums and sights $4 $8 $15 $9 $20
Nightlife $23 $62 $22 $73 $64
Gym $14 $41 $9 $15 $69
Yoga $19 $55 $23 $54 $65
Massage $10 $10 $15 $20 $51
SIM card options Movistar, Claro, Personal AIS, DTAC Turkcell, Turk Telekom Claro, Tigo Telcel, Movistar
Tipping 10% at restaurants and cafés is common, not common at bars 10% at restaurants, not customary or expected elsewhere Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars Tip 10% in restaurants 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services
Taxi apps Uber (not official), Cabify, BA Taxi (Spanish only) Grab BiTaksi EasyTaxi Uber
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 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 A blend of indigenous and European traditions with rice, maize, cassava, assorted legumes, and meats Corn, beans, tortillas and chili peppers typically alongside meat and cheese
Local food specialities Asado, empanadas (Argentinian style), locro, milanesa napolitana, facturas and alfajores Khao soi, khan toke, sai oua, miang kham, nam prik, khanom jeen nam ngiaw, larb khua Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight Bandeja paisa, ajiaco, mondongo, empanada, and arepa Enchiladas, torta de chilaquiles, esquites, quesadillas, tlacoyos, tacos, tostadas
Eat like a local Local restaurants serving asados grill-to-dish (Parrillas), markets (San Telmo, Recoleta) and local cafés for maté and facturas 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 Street stalls for empanada and arepa with cheese, restaurants for traditional Colombian food Markets, food stalls, menú del día (cheap set lunch menus)
Vegetarian / vegan options 79 options on Happy Cow 90 options on HappyCow 59 listings on Happy Cow 153 listings on Happy Cow 279 listings on Happy Cow