Buenos Aires vs Lisbon vs Madrid vs Medellin vs Panama City

Buenos Aires ๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ท
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Lisbon ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น
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Madrid ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ
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Medellin ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ด
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Panama City ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฆ
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Population 2,900,000 517,000 6,578,0179 2,427,000 880,691
Official language(s) Spanish Portuguese Spanish Spanish Spanish
Level of English High Very high Moderate Low Low
Main airport Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE) Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) Josรฉ Marรญa Cรณrdova International Airport (MDE) Tocumen International Airport (PTY)
Most common months to visit September - December March - May, September, October March - May, September - November January - April, December December - April
Currency ARS - Argentine Peso ($) EUR - Euro (โ‚ฌ) EUR - Euro (โ‚ฌ) COP - Colombian Peso ($) PAB - Panamanian Balboa (B/.)
Credit cards Accepted everywhere. (ID required!) Accepted almost everywhere (less for AMEX) Accepted everywhere Accepted in some places Accepted almost everywhere but not in smaller shops.
Remote worker visa No Yes Yes No Yes
Average monthly costs $1321 $1984 $2498 $1293 $2359
Rent $844 $965 $1174 $732 $1036
Groceries $98 $136 $175 $87 $236
Dining out $121 $271 $313 $131 $371
Cafe $25 $37 $51 $18 $43
Coworking space $95 $164 $196 $96 $157
Mobile internet $11 $24 $10 $16 $21
Public transportation $9 $63 $78 $21 $12
Taxis $9 $27 $44 $14 $48
Shared bicycles and scooters $14 $18 $49 $0 $0
Sport and cultural events $24 $29 $54 $8 $35
Museums and sights $4 $24 $20 $9 $9
Nightlife $23 $47 $82 $73 $117
Gym $14 $65 $44 $15 $37
Yoga $19 $65 $142 $54 $163
Massage $10 $50 $64 $20 $75
SIM card options Movistar, Claro, Personal Vodafone Orange, Movistar, Vodafone Claro, Tigo Claro, Movistar
Tipping 10% at restaurants and cafรฉs is common, not common at bars 5-10% for restaurants, not common at bars Not customary or expected but small tips are appreciated. Tip 10% in restaurants 10% in restaurants, round up elsewhere
Taxi apps Uber (not official), Cabify, BA Taxi (Spanish only) Uber, FreeNow Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now EasyTaxi Uber, Tu Chofer
Tap water Not drinkable Drinkable Drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable
Overall cuisine Argentinian style with an emphasis on red meats, pastries, and Italian-inspired options Fresh seafood, meats, soup, sausages and famous pastries Fresh, regional produce accentuated with garlic and olive oil and mixed with various meats and seafoods. Influenced both by Mediterranean and Middle-Eastern flavors. 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.
Local food specialities Asado, empanadas (Argentinian style), locro, milanesa napolitana, facturas and alfajores Bacalhau ร  bras, sardinhas, petiscos, leitรฃo, polvo ร  lagareiro, pasteis de nata, bifana Paella, tapas, tortilla, gazpacho, pulpo a la gallega, callos a la madrileรฑa, churros Bandeja paisa, ajiaco, mondongo, empanada, and arepa Sancocho de gallina, carimanola, empanadas, tamales panameรฑos, tostones, ropa vieja
Eat like a local Local restaurants serving asados grill-to-dish (Parrillas), markets (San Telmo, Recoleta) and local cafรฉs for matรฉ and facturas Tascas, snack bars, seafood restaurants Have some tapas and sangria at a tasca and paella at an authentic eatery. Keep an eye on the time and visit a cafeteria for a mid-afternoon merienda and some churros! Street stalls for empanada and arepa with cheese, restaurants for traditional Colombian food Fondas (roadside stalls), smaller local restaurants, local markets, food trucks
Vegetarian / vegan options 79 options on Happy Cow 401 listings on Happy Cow 85 listings on Happy Cow 153 listings on Happy Cow 7 options on HappyCow