Buenos Aires vs Istanbul vs Medellin vs Rio de Janeiro

Buenos Aires 🇦🇷
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Medellin 🇨🇴
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Rio de Janeiro 🇧🇷
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Population 2,900,000 15,520,000 2,427,000 6,718,903
Official language(s) Spanish Turkish Spanish Portuguese
Level of English High Low Low Low
Main airport Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE) Istanbul Airport (IST) José María Córdova International Airport (MDE) Galeão International Airport
Most common months to visit September - December April - June, September and October January - April, December January - March, December
Currency ARS - Argentine Peso ($) TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) COP - Colombian Peso ($) BRL - Brazilian Real (R$)
Credit cards Accepted everywhere. (ID required!) Accepted in most places Accepted in some places Accepted everywhere
Remote worker visa No No No No
Average monthly costs $1321 $659 $1293 $1833
Rent $844 $354 $732 $1066
Groceries $98 $44 $87 $95
Dining out $121 $81 $131 $210
Cafe $25 $18 $18 $25
Coworking space $95 $49 $96 $130
Mobile internet $11 $3 $16 $7
Public transportation $9 $6 $21 $33
Taxis $9 $6 $14 $14
Shared bicycles and scooters $14 $2 $0 $16
Sport and cultural events $24 $11 $8 $55
Museums and sights $4 $15 $9 $26
Nightlife $23 $22 $73 $54
Gym $14 $9 $15 $31
Yoga $19 $23 $54 $40
Massage $10 $15 $20 $32
SIM card options Movistar, Claro, Personal Turkcell, Turk Telekom Claro, Tigo Tim, Claro, Vivo
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% usually included in restaurants, 10% at bars and cafes with table service is common
Taxi apps Uber (not official), Cabify, BA Taxi (Spanish only) BiTaksi EasyTaxi Easy Taxi, 99 Taxi, Uber
Tap water Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not 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 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 Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight Bandeja paisa, ajiaco, mondongo, empanada, and arepa 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 Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee Street stalls for empanada and arepa with cheese, restaurants for traditional Colombian food 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 59 listings on Happy Cow 153 listings on Happy Cow 54 options on Happy Cow