Buenos Aires vs Cape Town vs Istanbul vs Medellin vs Porto

Buenos Aires 🇦🇷
Remove
Cape Town 🇿🇦
Remove
Istanbul 🇹🇷
Remove
Medellin 🇨🇴
Remove
Porto 🇵🇹
Remove
Population 2,900,000 4,617,560 15,520,000 2,427,000 237,559
Official language(s) Spanish Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English Turkish Spanish Portuguese
Level of English High Very high Low Low Very High
Main airport Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE) Cape Town International Airport (CPT) Istanbul Airport (IST) José María Córdova International Airport (MDE) Francisco Sá Carneiro International Airport (OPO)
Most common months to visit September - December March - May, September - November April - June, September and October January - April, December May - September
Currency ARS - Argentine Peso ($) ZAR - South African Rand (R) TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) COP - Colombian Peso ($) EUR - Euro (€)
Credit cards Accepted everywhere. (ID required!) Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops Accepted in most places Accepted in some places Accepted everywhere
Remote worker visa No No No No Yes
Average monthly costs $1321 $1549 $659 $1293 $1759
Rent $844 $618 $354 $732 $717
Groceries $98 $129 $44 $87 $148
Dining out $121 $269 $81 $131 $280
Cafe $25 $32 $18 $18 $45
Coworking space $95 $151 $49 $96 $96
Mobile internet $11 $27 $3 $16 $21
Public transportation $9 $55 $6 $21 $95
Taxis $9 $21 $6 $14 $25
Shared bicycles and scooters $14 $49 $2 $0 $10
Sport and cultural events $24 $19 $11 $8 $45
Museums and sights $4 $15 $15 $9 $24
Nightlife $23 $43 $22 $73 $66
Gym $14 $36 $9 $15 $56
Yoga $19 $56 $23 $54 $82
Massage $10 $30 $15 $20 $48
SIM card options Movistar, Claro, Personal MTN, Vodacom Turkcell, Turk Telekom Claro, Tigo Vodafone, MEO, NOS
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 Tip 10% in restaurants 5-10% at restaurants if happy with service, not expected at cafes or bars
Taxi apps Uber (not official), Cabify, BA Taxi (Spanish only) Uber, Bolt BiTaksi EasyTaxi Uber, MyTaxi, Cabify
Tap water Not drinkable Not 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 A blend of indigenous and European traditions with rice, maize, cassava, assorted legumes, and meats A variety of meats often mixed with fresh legumes and vegetables. Emphasis on rich seafood dishes and creamy desserts.
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 Bandeja paisa, ajiaco, mondongo, empanada, and arepa Bacalhau, Alheira de Mirandela, Francesinha, queido da serra da estrela, tripas a moda do Oporto, pasteis de chaves, tarte de amendoa
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 Street stalls for empanada and arepa with cheese, restaurants for traditional Colombian food Local taverns, terraces, markets, tascas, churrascarias and local sports bars
Vegetarian / vegan options 79 options on Happy Cow 24 options on HappyCow 59 listings on Happy Cow 153 listings on Happy Cow 46 options on Happy Cow