Buenos Aires vs Istanbul vs Medellin vs Mexico City vs Panama City

Buenos Aires 🇦🇷
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Medellin 🇨🇴
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Mexico City 🇲🇽
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Panama City 🇵🇦
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Population 2,900,000 15,520,000 2,427,000 8,850,000 880,691
Official language(s) Spanish Turkish Spanish Spanish Spanish
Level of English High Low Low Moderate Low
Main airport Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE) Istanbul Airport (IST) José María Córdova International Airport (MDE) Mexico City International Airport (MEX) Tocumen International Airport (PTY)
Most common months to visit September - December April - June, September and October January - April, December March - May, October, November December - April
Currency ARS - Argentine Peso ($) TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) COP - Colombian Peso ($) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) PAB - Panamanian Balboa (B/.)
Credit cards Accepted everywhere. (ID required!) Accepted in most places Accepted in some places Widely accepted (less with AMEX) Accepted almost everywhere but not in smaller shops.
Remote worker visa No No No Yes Yes
Average monthly costs $1321 $659 $1293 $1867 $2359
Rent $844 $354 $732 $778 $1036
Groceries $98 $44 $87 $281 $236
Dining out $121 $81 $131 $182 $371
Cafe $25 $18 $18 $49 $43
Coworking space $95 $49 $96 $159 $157
Mobile internet $11 $3 $16 $25 $21
Public transportation $9 $6 $21 $11 $12
Taxis $9 $6 $14 $9 $48
Shared bicycles and scooters $14 $2 $0 $24 $0
Sport and cultural events $24 $11 $8 $81 $35
Museums and sights $4 $15 $9 $20 $9
Nightlife $23 $22 $73 $64 $117
Gym $14 $9 $15 $69 $37
Yoga $19 $23 $54 $65 $163
Massage $10 $15 $20 $51 $75
SIM card options Movistar, Claro, Personal Turkcell, Turk Telekom Claro, Tigo Telcel, Movistar Claro, Movistar
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, bars and services 10% in restaurants, round up elsewhere
Taxi apps Uber (not official), Cabify, BA Taxi (Spanish only) BiTaksi EasyTaxi Uber Uber, Tu Chofer
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 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 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.
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 Enchiladas, torta de chilaquiles, esquites, quesadillas, tlacoyos, tacos, tostadas Sancocho de gallina, carimanola, empanadas, tamales panameños, tostones, ropa vieja
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 Markets, food stalls, menú del día (cheap set lunch menus) Fondas (roadside stalls), smaller local restaurants, local markets, food trucks
Vegetarian / vegan options 79 options on Happy Cow 59 listings on Happy Cow 153 listings on Happy Cow 279 listings on Happy Cow 7 options on HappyCow