Cape Town vs Hanoi vs Istanbul vs Larnaca vs Medellin vs Valencia

Cape Town 🇿🇦
Remove
Hanoi 🇻🇳
Remove
Istanbul 🇹🇷
Remove
Larnaca 🇨🇾
Remove
Medellin 🇨🇴
Remove
Valencia 🇪🇸
Remove
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) Nội Bài International Airport (HAN) Istanbul Airport (IST) Larnaca International Airport (LCA) José María 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