Buenos Aires vs Istanbul vs Medellin vs Playa del Carmen vs Valencia

Buenos Aires 🇦🇷
Remove
Istanbul 🇹🇷
Remove
Medellin 🇨🇴
Remove
Playa del Carmen 🇲🇽
Remove
Valencia 🇪🇸
Remove
Population 2,900,000 15,520,000 2,427,000 259,453 834,000
Official language(s) Spanish Turkish Spanish Spanish Spanish, Valencian
Level of English High Low Low Moderate Moderate
Main airport Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE) Istanbul Airport (IST) José María Córdova International Airport (MDE) Cancun International Airport (CUN) Valencia Manises Airport (VLC)
Most common months to visit September - December April - June, September and October January - April, December January - May, October - December March - June, September, October
Currency ARS - Argentine Peso ($) TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) COP - Colombian Peso ($) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) EUR - Euro (€)
Credit cards Accepted everywhere. (ID required!) Accepted in most places Accepted in some places Accepted almost everywhere Accepted almost everywhere
Remote worker visa No No No Yes Yes
Average monthly costs $1321 $659 $1293 $2143 $1976
Rent $844 $354 $732 $923 $869
Groceries $98 $44 $87 $127 $146
Dining out $121 $81 $131 $207 $292
Cafe $25 $18 $18 $42 $42
Coworking space $95 $49 $96 $160 $152
Mobile internet $11 $3 $16 $21 $16
Public transportation $9 $6 $21 $17 $38
Taxis $9 $6 $14 $9 $42
Shared bicycles and scooters $14 $2 $0 $49 $30
Sport and cultural events $24 $11 $8 $97 $73
Museums and sights $4 $15 $9 $217 $44
Nightlife $23 $22 $73 $77 $66
Gym $14 $9 $15 $42 $34
Yoga $19 $23 $54 $54 $87
Massage $10 $15 $20 $101 $45
SIM card options Movistar, Claro, Personal Turkcell, Turk Telekom Claro, Tigo Telcel, Movistar 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 10-15% for restaurants Round up for good service at restaurants, not common at bars
Taxi apps Uber (not official), Cabify, BA Taxi (Spanish only) BiTaksi EasyTaxi N/A Cabify, FreeNow
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 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 Staple dishes from maize, beans, sweet potato and avocado along with meat, chili peppers and other spices 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 Chilaquiles, tacos al pastor, chile rellenos, cochinita pibil, tostadas, pozole 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 Taco stands, esquite stalls, El Fogon, El Pirata, Dona Mary's 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 72 listings on Happy Cow 98 listings on Happy Cow