Cape Town vs Istanbul vs Lisbon vs Mexico City vs Panama City vs Valencia

Cape Town 🇿🇦
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Lisbon 🇵🇹
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Mexico City 🇲🇽
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Panama City 🇵🇦
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Valencia 🇪🇸
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Population 4,617,560 15,520,000 517,000 8,850,000 880,691 834,000
Official language(s) Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English Turkish Portuguese Spanish Spanish Spanish, Valencian
Level of English Very high Low Very high Moderate Low Moderate
Main airport Cape Town International Airport (CPT) Istanbul Airport (IST) Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) Mexico City International Airport (MEX) Tocumen International Airport (PTY) Valencia Manises Airport (VLC)
Most common months to visit March - May, September - November April - June, September and October March - May, September, October March - May, October, November December - April March - June, September, October
Currency ZAR - South African Rand (R) TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) EUR - Euro (€) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) PAB - Panamanian Balboa (B/.) EUR - Euro (€)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops Accepted in most places Accepted almost everywhere (less for AMEX) Widely accepted (less with AMEX) Accepted almost everywhere but not in smaller shops. Accepted almost everywhere
Remote worker visa No No Yes Yes Yes Yes
Average monthly costs $1549 $659 $1984 $1867 $2359 $1976
Rent $618 $354 $965 $778 $1036 $869
Groceries $129 $44 $136 $281 $236 $146
Dining out $269 $81 $271 $182 $371 $292
Cafe $32 $18 $37 $49 $43 $42
Coworking space $151 $49 $164 $159 $157 $152
Mobile internet $27 $3 $24 $25 $21 $16
Public transportation $55 $6 $63 $11 $12 $38
Taxis $21 $6 $27 $9 $48 $42
Shared bicycles and scooters $49 $2 $18 $24 $0 $30
Sport and cultural events $19 $11 $29 $81 $35 $73
Museums and sights $15 $15 $24 $20 $9 $44
Nightlife $43 $22 $47 $64 $117 $66
Gym $36 $9 $65 $69 $37 $34
Yoga $56 $23 $65 $65 $163 $87
Massage $30 $15 $50 $51 $75 $45
SIM card options MTN, Vodacom Turkcell, Turk Telekom Vodafone Telcel, Movistar Claro, Movistar Vodafone, Orange
Tipping 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars 5-10% for restaurants, not common at bars 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services 10% in restaurants, round up elsewhere Round up for good service at restaurants, not common at bars
Taxi apps Uber, Bolt BiTaksi Uber, FreeNow Uber Uber, Tu Chofer Cabify, FreeNow
Tap water Not drinkable Not drinkable 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 fusion of cultures creates diverse dishes with bulgur, koftes, stews, eggplants and fish Fresh seafood, meats, soup, sausages and famous pastries Corn, beans, tortillas and chili peppers typically alongside meat and cheese Latin American. Emphasis on rice, beans, coconut, and local fruits and vegetables. Pork and beef are regularly used and influence from the islands gives seafood dishes a prominent spot in Panamanian cuisine. Mediterranean style using vegetables, seafoods and meats
Local food specialities Bitlong and droewors, boerewors, Cape Malay curry, bobotie, melkert, gatsby, bunny chow Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight Bacalhau à bras, sardinhas, petiscos, leitão, polvo à lagareiro, pasteis de nata, bifana Enchiladas, torta de chilaquiles, esquites, quesadillas, tlacoyos, tacos, tostadas Sancocho de gallina, carimanola, empanadas, tamales panameños, tostones, ropa vieja Paella, fideuà, esgarrat, orxata, bunyols
Eat like a local Cape Malay shacks, food trucks, street food joints, local grills, small bakeries and food markets Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee Tascas, snack bars, seafood restaurants Markets, food stalls, menú del día (cheap set lunch menus) Fondas (roadside stalls), smaller local restaurants, local markets, food trucks Tapas bars, markets, menu del dia (cheap set lunches)
Vegetarian / vegan options 24 options on HappyCow 59 listings on Happy Cow 401 listings on Happy Cow 279 listings on Happy Cow 7 options on HappyCow 98 listings on Happy Cow