Cape Town 🇿🇦
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Chiang Mai 🇹🇭
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Larnaca 🇨🇾
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Medellin 🇨🇴
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Playa del Carmen 🇲🇽
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Porto 🇵🇹
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Prague 🇨🇿
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Sofia 🇧🇬
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Ubud 🇮🇩
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Population | 4,617,560 | 1,166,978 | 144,900 | 2,427,000 | 259,453 | 237,559 | 1,305,737 | 1,270,169 | 112,490 |
Official language(s) | Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English | Thai | Greek | Spanish | Spanish | Portuguese | Czech | Bulgarian | Indonesian and Balinese |
Level of English | Very high | Low | High | Low | Moderate | Very High | High | High | Low |
Main airport | Cape Town International Airport (CPT) | Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) | Larnaca International Airport (LCA) | José María Córdova International Airport (MDE) | Cancun International Airport (CUN) | Francisco Sá Carneiro International Airport (OPO) | Václav Havel Airport Prague (PRG) | Sofia International Airport (SOF) | Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPA) |
Most common months to visit | March - May, September - November | November - April | March - May, October - December | January - April, December | January - May, October - December | May - September | June - October | April-June, September-October | May - October |
Currency | ZAR - South African Rand (R) | THB - Thai Baht (฿) | EUR - Euro (€) | COP - Colombian Peso ($) | MXN - Mexican Peso ($) | EUR - Euro (€) | CZK - Czech Koruna (Kč) | BGN - Bulgarian Lev (лв) | IDR - Indonesian Rupiah (Rp) |
Credit cards | Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops | Accepted sometimes. Cash preferred in many places. | Accepted everywhere | Accepted in some places | Accepted almost everywhere | Accepted everywhere | Accepted most places (some places are cash only) | Accepted everywhere | Accepted in some places |
Remote worker visa | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
Average monthly costs | $1549 | $974 | $1959 | $1293 | $2143 | $1759 | $1806 | $1289 | $1363 |
Rent | $618 | $274 | $678 | $732 | $923 | $717 | $780 | $567 | $658 |
Groceries | $129 | $169 | $157 | $87 | $127 | $148 | $158 | $10 | $150 |
Dining out | $269 | $108 | $261 | $131 | $207 | $280 | $240 | $227 | $10 |
Cafe | $32 | $45 | $56 | $18 | $42 | $45 | $53 | $27 | $28 |
Coworking space | $151 | $95 | $209 | $96 | $160 | $96 | $175 | $140 | $106 |
Mobile internet | $27 | $11 | $35 | $16 | $21 | $21 | $24 | $10 | $3 |
Public transportation | $55 | $60 | $63 | $21 | $17 | $95 | $61 | $30 | $53 |
Taxis | $21 | $20 | $42 | $14 | $9 | $25 | $33 | $12 | $13 |
Shared bicycles and scooters | $49 | $10 | $45 | $0 | $49 | $10 | $19 | $40 | $33 |
Sport and cultural events | $19 | $8 | $28 | $8 | $97 | $45 | $19 | $18 | $14 |
Museums and sights | $15 | $8 | $8 | $9 | $217 | $24 | $35 | $12 | $9 |
Nightlife | $43 | $62 | $110 | $73 | $77 | $66 | $50 | $82 | $118 |
Gym | $36 | $41 | $107 | $15 | $42 | $56 | $56 | $23 | $72 |
Yoga | $56 | $55 | $105 | $54 | $54 | $82 | $66 | $62 | $87 |
Massage | $30 | $10 | $54 | $20 | $101 | $48 | $37 | $29 | $10 |
SIM card options | MTN, Vodacom | AIS, DTAC | Primetel, Cytamobile-Vodafone and Epic/MTN | Claro, Tigo | Telcel, Movistar | Vodafone, MEO, NOS | Vodafone, T-Mobile | A1, Telenor, Vivacom | Telkomsel, XL Axiata |
Tipping | 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere | 10% at restaurants, not customary or expected elsewhere | 10% usually added and expected at restaurants, round up at bars | Tip 10% in restaurants | 10-15% for restaurants | 5-10% at restaurants if happy with service, not expected at cafes or bars | 10% at restaurants and bars, round up elsewhere | 10% in restaurants, 1-2 BGN at bars and cafés | Tip 5 - 10% in restaurants if service charge is not included in the bill |
Taxi apps | Uber, Bolt | Grab | nTaxi | EasyTaxi | N/A | Uber, MyTaxi, Cabify | Uber, Liftago | TaxiMe, TaxiStars | Grab, GoJek |
Tap water | Not drinkable | Not drinkable | Not drinkable | Not drinkable | Not drinkable | Drinkable | Drinkable | Not drinkable | Not drinkable |
Overall cuisine | 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 sautéed vegetables and dry-cured meats. Creamy desserts and liqueurs compliment large and flavorful meals. | Combines salty, sweet, spicy and sour flavors to create bold and colorful dishes. Meals typically include a mixture of meat and seafood dishes, as well as noodles or soups recipes. Strong emphasis on local spices and vegetables. | Mediterranean style with emphasis on seafood, meats, olives, cheesed and traditional sauces. Some food with Middle Eastern influences as well.. | 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 | A variety of meats often mixed with fresh legumes and vegetables. Emphasis on rich seafood dishes and creamy desserts. | Thick soups are often combined with stewed vegetables and baked meats to produce rich dishes. Gravies and creams are popular in Czech cuisine, as is beer! | Vegetables and mild spices are often mixed with dairy products to create rich chicken and pork products. Seafood dishes also popular in some regions of the country, making them popular in the capital. | Balinese foods revolve on the complex flavors from certain ingredients like fresh vegetables, meat, coconut milk, and time-tested spices mixture. |
Local food specialities | Bitlong and droewors, boerewors, Cape Malay curry, bobotie, melkert, gatsby, bunny chow | Khao soi, khan toke, sai oua, miang kham, nam prik, khanom jeen nam ngiaw, larb khua | Souvlaki, sheftalia, kleftiko, stifado, halloumi, koukepia and moussaka | Bandeja paisa, ajiaco, mondongo, empanada, and arepa | Chilaquiles, tacos al pastor, chile rellenos, cochinita pibil, tostadas, pozole | Bacalhau, Alheira de Mirandela, Francesinha, queido da serra da estrela, tripas a moda do Oporto, pasteis de chaves, tarte de amendoa | Vepřo knedlo zelo, Česnečka, Guláš, Svíčková na smetaně, Ovocné Knedlíky. | Kebapche, Bulgarian musaka, lyutenitsa, shkember chorba, kyufte, kavarma, banitsa and tarator | Satay, nasi goreng, gado-gado, martabak, bubur sumsum |
Eat like a local | Cape Malay shacks, food trucks, street food joints, local grills, small bakeries and food markets | Street food stalls, local markets, bakeries and smaller, traditional restaurants that serve fresh food | Opt for smaller, outside eateries and taverns serving traditional foods. Fast food kebab shops and falafel bars offer authentic options, too. | Street stalls for empanada and arepa with cheese, restaurants for traditional Colombian food | Taco stands, esquite stalls, El Fogon, El Pirata, Dona Mary's | Local taverns, terraces, markets, tascas, churrascarias and local sports bars | Pubs and taverns, street food stalls, local cafés | Taverns, local BBQ restaurants, local markets and smaller eateries in residential and university areas. | Warung for authentic babi guling and bebek betutu, cafes for kopi luwak, street stalls for pisang goreng, nasi campur, and sate lilit |
Vegetarian / vegan options | 24 options on HappyCow | 90 options on HappyCow | 14 options on HappyCow, but non-meat Mediterranean/Middle Eastern options are always available | 153 listings on Happy Cow | 72 listings on Happy Cow | 46 options on Happy Cow | 112 options on HappyCow | 20 options on HappyCow | 255 listings on Happy Cow |