Buenos Aires vs Cape Town vs Medellin vs Mexico City vs Playa del Carmen

Buenos Aires ๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ท
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Cape Town ๐Ÿ‡ฟ๐Ÿ‡ฆ
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Medellin ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ด
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Mexico City ๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ
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Playa del Carmen ๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ
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Population 2,900,000 4,617,560 2,427,000 8,850,000 259,453
Official language(s) Spanish Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English Spanish Spanish Spanish
Level of English High Very high Low Moderate Moderate
Main airport Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE) Cape Town International Airport (CPT) Josรฉ Marรญa Cรณrdova International Airport (MDE) Mexico City International Airport (MEX) Cancun International Airport (CUN)
Most common months to visit September - December March - May, September - November January - April, December March - May, October, November January - May, October - December
Currency ARS - Argentine Peso ($) ZAR - South African Rand (R) COP - Colombian Peso ($) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) MXN - Mexican Peso ($)
Credit cards Accepted everywhere. (ID required!) Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops Accepted in some places Widely accepted (less with AMEX) Accepted almost everywhere
Remote worker visa No No No Yes Yes
Average monthly costs $1321 $1549 $1293 $1867 $2143
Rent $844 $618 $732 $778 $923
Groceries $98 $129 $87 $281 $127
Dining out $121 $269 $131 $182 $207
Cafe $25 $32 $18 $49 $42
Coworking space $95 $151 $96 $159 $160
Mobile internet $11 $27 $16 $25 $21
Public transportation $9 $55 $21 $11 $17
Taxis $9 $21 $14 $9 $9
Shared bicycles and scooters $14 $49 $0 $24 $49
Sport and cultural events $24 $19 $8 $81 $97
Museums and sights $4 $15 $9 $20 $217
Nightlife $23 $43 $73 $64 $77
Gym $14 $36 $15 $69 $42
Yoga $19 $56 $54 $65 $54
Massage $10 $30 $20 $51 $101
SIM card options Movistar, Claro, Personal MTN, Vodacom Claro, Tigo Telcel, Movistar Telcel, Movistar
Tipping 10% at restaurants and cafรฉs is common, not common at bars 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere Tip 10% in restaurants 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services 10-15% for restaurants
Taxi apps Uber (not official), Cabify, BA Taxi (Spanish only) Uber, Bolt EasyTaxi Uber N/A
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 South African cuisine has been shaped by a long history of Dutch, Malay, British and Indian settlements, making the food diverse and strong in flavor. There is a strong emphasis on game in all of its different forms, as well as spicy sauces and sautรฉed vegetables and dry-cured meats. Creamy desserts and liqueurs compliment large and flavorful meals. 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 Staple dishes from maize, beans, sweet potato and avocado along with meat, chili peppers and other spices
Local food specialities Asado, empanadas (Argentinian style), locro, milanesa napolitana, facturas and alfajores Bitlong and droewors, boerewors, Cape Malay curry, bobotie, melkert, gatsby, bunny chow Bandeja paisa, ajiaco, mondongo, empanada, and arepa Enchiladas, torta de chilaquiles, esquites, quesadillas, tlacoyos, tacos, tostadas Chilaquiles, tacos al pastor, chile rellenos, cochinita pibil, tostadas, pozole
Eat like a local Local restaurants serving asados grill-to-dish (Parrillas), markets (San Telmo, Recoleta) and local cafรฉs for matรฉ and facturas Cape Malay shacks, food trucks, street food joints, local grills, small bakeries and food markets Street stalls for empanada and arepa with cheese, restaurants for traditional Colombian food Markets, food stalls, menรบ del dรญa (cheap set lunch menus) Taco stands, esquite stalls, El Fogon, El Pirata, Dona Mary's
Vegetarian / vegan options 79 options on Happy Cow 24 options on HappyCow 153 listings on Happy Cow 279 listings on Happy Cow 72 listings on Happy Cow