Buenos Aires vs Istanbul vs Medellin vs Panama City vs Rio de Janeiro vs Valencia

Buenos Aires 🇦🇷
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Medellin 🇨🇴
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Panama City 🇵🇦
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Rio de Janeiro 🇧🇷
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Valencia 🇪🇸
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Population 2,900,000 15,520,000 2,427,000 880,691 6,718,903 834,000
Official language(s) Spanish Turkish Spanish Spanish Portuguese Spanish, Valencian
Level of English High Low Low Low Low Moderate
Main airport Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE) Istanbul Airport (IST) José María Córdova International Airport (MDE) Tocumen International Airport (PTY) Galeão International Airport Valencia Manises Airport (VLC)
Most common months to visit September - December April - June, September and October January - April, December December - April January - March, December March - June, September, October
Currency ARS - Argentine Peso ($) TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) COP - Colombian Peso ($) PAB - Panamanian Balboa (B/.) BRL - Brazilian Real (R$) EUR - Euro (€)
Credit cards Accepted everywhere. (ID required!) Accepted in most places Accepted in some places Accepted almost everywhere but not in smaller shops. Accepted everywhere Accepted almost everywhere
Remote worker visa No No No Yes No Yes
Average monthly costs $1321 $659 $1293 $2359 $1833 $1976
Rent $844 $354 $732 $1036 $1066 $869
Groceries $98 $44 $87 $236 $95 $146
Dining out $121 $81 $131 $371 $210 $292
Cafe $25 $18 $18 $43 $25 $42
Coworking space $95 $49 $96 $157 $130 $152
Mobile internet $11 $3 $16 $21 $7 $16
Public transportation $9 $6 $21 $12 $33 $38
Taxis $9 $6 $14 $48 $14 $42
Shared bicycles and scooters $14 $2 $0 $0 $16 $30
Sport and cultural events $24 $11 $8 $35 $55 $73
Museums and sights $4 $15 $9 $9 $26 $44
Nightlife $23 $22 $73 $117 $54 $66
Gym $14 $9 $15 $37 $31 $34
Yoga $19 $23 $54 $163 $40 $87
Massage $10 $15 $20 $75 $32 $45
SIM card options Movistar, Claro, Personal Turkcell, Turk Telekom Claro, Tigo Claro, Movistar Tim, Claro, Vivo Vodafone, Orange
Tipping 10% at restaurants and cafés is common, not common at bars Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars Tip 10% in restaurants 10% in restaurants, round up elsewhere 10% usually included in restaurants, 10% at bars and cafes with table service is common Round up for good service at restaurants, not common at bars
Taxi apps Uber (not official), Cabify, BA Taxi (Spanish only) BiTaksi EasyTaxi Uber, Tu Chofer Easy Taxi, 99 Taxi, Uber Cabify, FreeNow
Tap water Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Drinkable
Overall cuisine Argentinian style with an emphasis on red meats, pastries, and Italian-inspired options 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 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. Emphasis on rice, beans, pork and beef with a variety of root vegetables and fresh fruits. Fresh seafood is also very common. Mediterranean style using vegetables, seafoods and meats
Local food specialities Asado, empanadas (Argentinian style), locro, milanesa napolitana, facturas and alfajores Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight Bandeja paisa, ajiaco, mondongo, empanada, and arepa Sancocho de gallina, carimanola, empanadas, tamales panameños, tostones, ropa vieja Feijoada, bolinho de bacalhau, fried sardines, caldo verde, pao de queijo and brigadeiros. 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 Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee Street stalls for empanada and arepa with cheese, restaurants for traditional Colombian food Fondas (roadside stalls), smaller local restaurants, local markets, food trucks 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. Tapas bars, markets, menu del dia (cheap set lunches)
Vegetarian / vegan options 79 options on Happy Cow 59 listings on Happy Cow 153 listings on Happy Cow 7 options on HappyCow 54 options on Happy Cow 98 listings on Happy Cow