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Cape Town ๐ฟ๐ฆ
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Chiang Mai ๐น๐ญ
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Da Nang ๐ป๐ณ
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Medellin ๐จ๐ด
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Playa del Carmen ๐ฒ๐ฝ
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| Population | 4,617,560 | 1,166,978 | 1,125,316 | 2,427,000 | 259,453 |
| Official language(s) | Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English | Thai | Vietnamese | Spanish | Spanish |
| Level of English | Very high | Low | Low | Low | Moderate |
| Main airport | Cape Town International Airport (CPT) | Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) | Da Nang International Airport (DAD) | Josรฉ Marรญa Cรณrdova International Airport (MDE) | Cancun International Airport (CUN) |
| Most common months to visit | March - May, September - November | November - April | February - May | January - April, December | January - May, October - December |
| Currency | ZAR - South African Rand (R) | THB - Thai Baht (เธฟ) | VND - Vietnamese Dong (โซ) | COP - Colombian Peso ($) | MXN - Mexican Peso ($) |
| Credit cards | Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops | Accepted sometimes. Cash preferred in many places. | Accepted in some places. Cash also needed. | Accepted in some places | Accepted almost everywhere |
| Remote worker visa | No | No | No | No | Yes |
| Average monthly costs | $1549 | $974 | $959 | $1293 | $2143 |
| Rent | $618 | $274 | $316 | $732 | $923 |
| Groceries | $129 | $169 | $161 | $87 | $127 |
| Dining out | $269 | $108 | $128 | $131 | $207 |
| Cafe | $32 | $45 | $35 | $18 | $42 |
| Coworking space | $151 | $95 | $88 | $96 | $160 |
| Mobile internet | $27 | $11 | $4 | $16 | $21 |
| Public transportation | $55 | $60 | $15 | $21 | $17 |
| Taxis | $21 | $20 | $15 | $14 | $9 |
| Shared bicycles and scooters | $49 | $10 | $0 | $0 | $49 |
| Sport and cultural events | $19 | $8 | $6 | $8 | $97 |
| Museums and sights | $15 | $8 | $2 | $9 | $217 |
| Nightlife | $43 | $62 | $74 | $73 | $77 |
| Gym | $36 | $41 | $34 | $15 | $42 |
| Yoga | $56 | $55 | $71 | $54 | $54 |
| Massage | $30 | $10 | $10 | $20 | $101 |
| SIM card options | MTN, Vodacom | AIS, DTAC | Viettel, Vinafone | Claro, Tigo | Telcel, Movistar |
| Tipping | 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere | 10% at restaurants, not customary or expected elsewhere | 5-15% in restaurants, round up at bars and cafes | Tip 10% in restaurants | 10-15% for restaurants |
| Taxi apps | Uber, Bolt | Grab | Grab | EasyTaxi | N/A |
| Tap water | Not drinkable | Not drinkable | Not 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 sautรฉed 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. | Healthy and with robust flavors, Vietnamese cuisine combines noodles and rice with a variety of greens and local herbs to compliment specially seasoned pork, beef or seafood dishes. In Da Nang, you'll find a strong emphasis on barbecued seafood dishes as well as fish-based sauces. | 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 |
| 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 | Chao Tom, Bahn Xeo, Goi Cuon, Bun Thit Nuong, Bahn Cuon, Mi Quang, Bun nam, Bun cha ca | Bandeja paisa, ajiaco, mondongo, empanada, and arepa | Chilaquiles, tacos al pastor, chile rellenos, cochinita pibil, tostadas, pozole |
| 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 | Smaller, local restaurants, roadside eateries, street food stalls and local markets | Street stalls for empanada and arepa with cheese, restaurants for traditional Colombian food | Taco stands, esquite stalls, El Fogon, El Pirata, Dona Mary's |
| Vegetarian / vegan options | 24 options on HappyCow | 90 options on HappyCow | 107 options on HappyCow | 153 listings on Happy Cow | 72 listings on Happy Cow |