Cape Town 🇿🇦
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Hanoi 🇻🇳
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Larnaca 🇨🇾
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Medellin 🇨🇴
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Valencia 🇪🇸
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Population | 4,617,560 | 8,053,663 | 15,520,000 | 144,900 | 2,427,000 | 834,000 |
Official language(s) | Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English | Vietnamese | Turkish | Greek | Spanish | Spanish, Valencian |
Level of English | Very high | Moderate | Low | High | Low | Moderate |
Main airport | Cape Town International Airport (CPT) | Ná»™i Bà i International Airport (HAN) | Istanbul Airport (IST) | Larnaca International Airport (LCA) | José MarÃa Córdova International Airport (MDE) | Valencia Manises Airport (VLC) |
Most common months to visit | March - May, September - November | January, February, October - December | April - June, September and October | March - May, October - December | January - April, December | March - June, September, October |
Currency | ZAR - South African Rand (R) | VND - Vietnamese Dong (₫) | TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) | EUR - Euro (€) | COP - Colombian Peso ($) | EUR - Euro (€) |
Credit cards | Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops | Accepted in some places. Cash often preferred. | Accepted in most places | Accepted everywhere | Accepted in some places | Accepted almost everywhere |
Remote worker visa | No | No | No | No | No | Yes |
Average monthly costs | $1549 | $1167 | $659 | $1959 | $1293 | $1976 |
Rent | $618 | $503 | $354 | $678 | $732 | $869 |
Groceries | $129 | $151 | $44 | $157 | $87 | $146 |
Dining out | $269 | $134 | $81 | $261 | $131 | $292 |
Cafe | $32 | $39 | $18 | $56 | $18 | $42 |
Coworking space | $151 | $72 | $49 | $209 | $96 | $152 |
Mobile internet | $27 | $4 | $3 | $35 | $16 | $16 |
Public transportation | $55 | $20 | $6 | $63 | $21 | $38 |
Taxis | $21 | $13 | $6 | $42 | $14 | $42 |
Shared bicycles and scooters | $49 | $0 | $2 | $45 | $0 | $30 |
Sport and cultural events | $19 | $3 | $11 | $28 | $8 | $73 |
Museums and sights | $15 | $4 | $15 | $8 | $9 | $44 |
Nightlife | $43 | $89 | $22 | $110 | $73 | $66 |
Gym | $36 | $57 | $9 | $107 | $15 | $34 |
Yoga | $56 | $57 | $23 | $105 | $54 | $87 |
Massage | $30 | $21 | $15 | $54 | $20 | $45 |
SIM card options | MTN, Vodacom | Viettel, Mobifone | Turkcell, Turk Telekom | Primetel, Cytamobile-Vodafone and Epic/MTN | Claro, Tigo | Vodafone, Orange |
Tipping | 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere | Not required but appreciated, especially in taxis, restaurants and bars. Round up or add 10%. | Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars | 10% usually added and expected at restaurants, round up at bars | Tip 10% in restaurants | Round up for good service at restaurants, not common at bars |
Taxi apps | Uber, Bolt | Grab, GoViet | BiTaksi | nTaxi | EasyTaxi | Cabify, FreeNow |
Tap water | Not drinkable | Not drinkable | Not drinkable | Not drinkable | Not drinkable | 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. | A mix of French, Southeast Asian and Chinese with lots of fresh herbs and spices. Northern Vietnam cuisine includes a lot of fish and noodles. | A fusion of cultures creates diverse dishes with bulgur, koftes, stews, eggplants and fish | 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 | Mediterranean style using vegetables, seafoods and meats |
Local food specialities | Bitlong and droewors, boerewors, Cape Malay curry, bobotie, melkert, gatsby, bunny chow | Pho, cha ca, Vietnamese coffee, pastries and breads | Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight | Souvlaki, sheftalia, kleftiko, stifado, halloumi, koukepia and moussaka | Bandeja paisa, ajiaco, mondongo, empanada, and arepa | Paella, fideuà , esgarrat, orxata, bunyols |
Eat like a local | Cape Malay shacks, food trucks, street food joints, local grills, small bakeries and food markets | Noodle Houses, Bakeries, Coffee and Tea Houses, street food | Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee | 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 | Tapas bars, markets, menu del dia (cheap set lunches) |
Vegetarian / vegan options | 24 options on HappyCow | 104 listings on Happy Cow | 59 listings on Happy Cow | 14 options on HappyCow, but non-meat Mediterranean/Middle Eastern options are always available | 153 listings on Happy Cow | 98 listings on Happy Cow |