Cape Town vs Chiang Mai vs Larnaca vs Playa del Carmen vs Porto vs Prague vs Rio de Janeiro vs Sofia

Cape Town 🇿🇦
Remove
Chiang Mai 🇹🇭
Remove
Larnaca 🇨🇾
Remove
Playa del Carmen 🇲🇽
Remove
Porto 🇵🇹
Remove
Prague 🇨🇿
Remove
Rio de Janeiro 🇧🇷
Remove
Sofia 🇧🇬
Remove
Population 4,617,560 1,166,978 144,900 259,453 237,559 1,305,737 6,718,903 1,270,169
Official language(s) Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English Thai Greek Spanish Portuguese Czech Portuguese Bulgarian
Level of English Very high Low High Moderate Very High High Low High
Main airport Cape Town International Airport (CPT) Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) Larnaca International Airport (LCA) Cancun International Airport (CUN) Francisco Sá Carneiro International Airport (OPO) Václav Havel Airport Prague (PRG) Galeão International Airport Sofia International Airport (SOF)
Most common months to visit March - May, September - November November - April March - May, October - December January - May, October - December May - September June - October January - March, December April-June, September-October
Currency ZAR - South African Rand (R) THB - Thai Baht (฿) EUR - Euro (€) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) EUR - Euro (€) CZK - Czech Koruna (Kč) BRL - Brazilian Real (R$) BGN - Bulgarian Lev (лв)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops Accepted sometimes. Cash preferred in many places. Accepted everywhere Accepted almost everywhere Accepted everywhere Accepted most places (some places are cash only) Accepted everywhere Accepted everywhere
Remote worker visa No No No Yes Yes Yes No No
Average monthly costs $1549 $974 $1959 $2143 $1759 $1806 $1833 $1289
Rent $618 $274 $678 $923 $717 $780 $1066 $567
Groceries $129 $169 $157 $127 $148 $158 $95 $10
Dining out $269 $108 $261 $207 $280 $240 $210 $227
Cafe $32 $45 $56 $42 $45 $53 $25 $27
Coworking space $151 $95 $209 $160 $96 $175 $130 $140
Mobile internet $27 $11 $35 $21 $21 $24 $7 $10
Public transportation $55 $60 $63 $17 $95 $61 $33 $30
Taxis $21 $20 $42 $9 $25 $33 $14 $12
Shared bicycles and scooters $49 $10 $45 $49 $10 $19 $16 $40
Sport and cultural events $19 $8 $28 $97 $45 $19 $55 $18
Museums and sights $15 $8 $8 $217 $24 $35 $26 $12
Nightlife $43 $62 $110 $77 $66 $50 $54 $82
Gym $36 $41 $107 $42 $56 $56 $31 $23
Yoga $56 $55 $105 $54 $82 $66 $40 $62
Massage $30 $10 $54 $101 $48 $37 $32 $29
SIM card options MTN, Vodacom AIS, DTAC Primetel, Cytamobile-Vodafone and Epic/MTN Telcel, Movistar Vodafone, MEO, NOS Vodafone, T-Mobile Tim, Claro, Vivo A1, Telenor, Vivacom
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 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% usually included in restaurants, 10% at bars and cafes with table service is common 10% in restaurants, 1-2 BGN at bars and cafés
Taxi apps Uber, Bolt Grab nTaxi N/A Uber, MyTaxi, Cabify Uber, Liftago Easy Taxi, 99 Taxi, Uber TaxiMe, TaxiStars
Tap water 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.. 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! Emphasis on rice, beans, pork and beef with a variety of root vegetables and fresh fruits. Fresh seafood is also very common. 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.
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 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. Feijoada, bolinho de bacalhau, fried sardines, caldo verde, pao de queijo and brigadeiros. Kebapche, Bulgarian musaka, lyutenitsa, shkember chorba, kyufte, kavarma, banitsa and tarator
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. 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 The "snack capital" of Brazil, Rio is a perfect place to try street food as well as the wide varieties of small, traditional eateries and churrascarias easily found across the city. Taverns, local BBQ restaurants, local markets and smaller eateries in residential and university areas.
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 72 listings on Happy Cow 46 options on Happy Cow 112 options on HappyCow 54 options on Happy Cow 20 options on HappyCow