Buenos Aires vs Istanbul vs Mexico City vs New York City vs Panama City

Buenos Aires 🇦🇷
Remove
Istanbul 🇹🇷
Remove
Mexico City 🇲🇽
Remove
New York City 🇺🇸
Remove
Panama City 🇵🇦
Remove
Population 2,900,000 15,520,000 8,850,000 8,323,340 880,691
Official language(s) Spanish Turkish Spanish English (de facto) Spanish
Level of English High Low Moderate Very high Low
Main airport Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE) Istanbul Airport (IST) Mexico City International Airport (MEX) John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) Tocumen International Airport (PTY)
Most common months to visit September - December April - June, September and October March - May, October, November April - June, September - November December - April
Currency ARS - Argentine Peso ($) TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) USD - US Dollar ($) PAB - Panamanian Balboa (B/.)
Credit cards Accepted everywhere. (ID required!) Accepted in most places Widely accepted (less with AMEX) Accepted everywhere Accepted almost everywhere but not in smaller shops.
Remote worker visa No No Yes No Yes
Average monthly costs $1321 $659 $1867 $5431 $2359
Rent $844 $354 $778 $2891 $1036
Groceries $98 $44 $281 $383 $236
Dining out $121 $81 $182 $656 $371
Cafe $25 $18 $49 $72 $43
Coworking space $95 $49 $159 $326 $157
Mobile internet $11 $3 $25 $45 $21
Public transportation $9 $6 $11 $220 $12
Taxis $9 $6 $9 $78 $48
Shared bicycles and scooters $14 $2 $24 $30 $0
Sport and cultural events $24 $11 $81 $100 $35
Museums and sights $4 $15 $20 $74 $9
Nightlife $23 $22 $64 $195 $117
Gym $14 $9 $69 $55 $37
Yoga $19 $23 $65 $197 $163
Massage $10 $15 $51 $109 $75
SIM card options Movistar, Claro, Personal Turkcell, Turk Telekom Telcel, Movistar AT&T, Verizon Claro, Movistar
Tipping 10% at restaurants and cafés is common, not common at bars Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services 15-20% at restaurants, 1 USD per drink at bars 10% in restaurants, round up elsewhere
Taxi apps Uber (not official), Cabify, BA Taxi (Spanish only) BiTaksi Uber Uber, Lyft Uber, Tu Chofer
Tap water Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable 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 Corn, beans, tortillas and chili peppers typically alongside meat and cheese American. Emphasis on comfort and fast food, with some good seafood dishes. Influence from other regions of the US, North America and the world make NYC a cosmopolitan and international cuisine hub that is incredibly diverse. 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 Enchiladas, torta de chilaquiles, esquites, quesadillas, tlacoyos, tacos, tostadas Pizza, clam chowder, bagels, corned beef, pastrami, cheesecake, hot dogs, and hundred of other international food options. 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 Markets, food stalls, menú del día (cheap set lunch menus) Delis, local pizza shops, street food stalls and food trucks, food markets, local bakeries and smaller, authentic international cuisine restaurants Fondas (roadside stalls), smaller local restaurants, local markets, food trucks
Vegetarian / vegan options 79 options on Happy Cow 59 listings on Happy Cow 279 listings on Happy Cow 309 options on HappyCow 7 options on HappyCow