Barcelona ๐ช๐ธ
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Cape Town ๐ฟ๐ฆ
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Istanbul ๐น๐ท
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Lviv ๐บ๐ฆ
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Mexico City ๐ฒ๐ฝ
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Playa del Carmen ๐ฒ๐ฝ
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Seoul ๐ฐ๐ท
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Population | 5,585,556 | 4,617,560 | 15,520,000 | 731,387 | 8,850,000 | 259,453 | 9,963,452 |
Official language(s) | Catalan, Spanish | Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English | Turkish | Ukrainian | Spanish | Spanish | Korean |
Level of English | High | Very high | Low | Low | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate |
Main airport | Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) | Cape Town International Airport (CPT) | Istanbul Airport (IST) | Lviv Danylo Halytskyi International Airport (LWO) | Mexico City International Airport (MEX) | Cancun International Airport (CUN) | Incheon International Airport (ICN) |
Most common months to visit | April - June, September - November | March - May, September - November | April - June, September and October | May - September | March - May, October, November | January - May, October - December | March - May, September - November |
Currency | EUR - Euro (โฌ) | ZAR - South African Rand (R) | TRY - Turkish Lira (โบ) | UAH - Ukrainian Hryvnia (โด) | MXN - Mexican Peso ($) | MXN - Mexican Peso ($) | KRW - South Korean won (โฉ) |
Credit cards | Accepted almost evewhere | Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops | Accepted in most places | Accepted almost everywhere | Widely accepted (less with AMEX) | Accepted almost everywhere | Accepted everywhere |
Remote worker visa | Yes | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | No |
Average monthly costs | $2384 | $1549 | $659 | $922 | $1867 | $2143 | $2184 |
Rent | $932 | $618 | $354 | $400 | $778 | $923 | $797 |
Groceries | $121 | $129 | $44 | $91 | $281 | $127 | $356 |
Dining out | $403 | $269 | $81 | $151 | $182 | $207 | $211 |
Cafe | $45 | $32 | $18 | $21 | $49 | $42 | $69 |
Coworking space | $213 | $151 | $49 | $79 | $159 | $160 | $222 |
Mobile internet | $10 | $27 | $3 | $4 | $25 | $21 | $40 |
Public transportation | $127 | $55 | $6 | $5 | $11 | $17 | $40 |
Taxis | $48 | $21 | $6 | $12 | $9 | $9 | $41 |
Shared bicycles and scooters | $24 | $49 | $2 | $16 | $24 | $49 | $13 |
Sport and cultural events | $81 | $19 | $11 | $13 | $81 | $97 | $39 |
Museums and sights | $33 | $15 | $15 | $9 | $20 | $217 | $6 |
Nightlife | $112 | $43 | $22 | $43 | $64 | $77 | $93 |
Gym | $81 | $36 | $9 | $22 | $69 | $42 | $69 |
Yoga | $93 | $56 | $23 | $30 | $65 | $54 | $112 |
Massage | $59 | $30 | $15 | $27 | $51 | $101 | $75 |
SIM card options | Vodafone, Movistar | MTN, Vodacom | Turkcell, Turk Telekom | Vodafone, Kyivstar | Telcel, Movistar | Telcel, Movistar | KT, SK Telecom, LG Uplus |
Tipping | 5-10% in restaurants if service is exceptional, not expected elsewhere | 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere | Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafรฉs and bars | 10% in restaurants, not expected elsewhere | 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services | 10-15% for restaurants | Not customary or expected |
Taxi apps | Cabify, FreeNow | Uber, Bolt | BiTaksi | Uber, Uklon | Uber | N/A | Uber, Kakao |
Tap water | Drinkable | Not drinkable | Not drinkable | Not drinkable | Not drinkable | Not drinkable | Drinkable |
Overall cuisine | Catalan cuisine makes extensive use of Mediterranean vegetables, legumes mixed with pork in its many varieties, chicken and fish. Regularly mixes sweet and savory flavors in specific dishes. This cuisine is known for being bold in flavor and striking in color, with a variety of specific regional dishes found the culinary hub that is Barcelona. | 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. | A fusion of cultures creates diverse dishes with bulgur, koftes, stews, eggplants and fish | Slavic. Emphasis on frilled meats combined with potatoes, carrots, pickles and cabbage. Creamy deserts often elaborated with cottage cheese. Lviv enjoys culinary influences from Kiev (traditional with an emphasis on chicken) and Odessa (various seafood dishes). | Corn, beans, tortillas and chili peppers typically alongside meat and cheese | Staple dishes from maize, beans, sweet potato and avocado along with meat, chili peppers and other spices | Emphasis on rice, vegetables, spices and meats. Main dishes are coupled with diverse side dishes and desserts. Strong driking culture. |
Local food specialities | Paella, bombas, esqueixada, pa amb tomรกquet, escalivada, crema Catalana, gazpacho, chorizo | Bitlong and droewors, boerewors, Cape Malay curry, bobotie, melkert, gatsby, bunny chow | Dรถner, ฤฐรงli Kรถfte, Dondurma, Karnฤฑyarฤฑk, Turkish delight | Lviv cheesecake, fish Zupa, Tsivikli, Karmanadli, Banosh, Borscht, Salo, Syrnyky | Enchiladas, torta de chilaquiles, esquites, quesadillas, tlacoyos, tacos, tostadas | Chilaquiles, tacos al pastor, chile rellenos, cochinita pibil, tostadas, pozole | Kimchi, bulgogi, chap chae, mandu, sam gae tang, bossam |
Eat like a local | Taverns, tapas bars, local markets, bodegas and street food spots | 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 | Local grills, themed taverns, local breweries, small bakeries | Markets, food stalls, menรบ del dรญa (cheap set lunch menus) | Taco stands, esquite stalls, El Fogon, El Pirata, Dona Mary's | Smaller, local eateries (sikdang), street stalls and local markets |
Vegetarian / vegan options | 98 options on HappyCow | 24 options on HappyCow | 59 listings on Happy Cow | 9 options on HappyCow | 279 listings on Happy Cow | 72 listings on Happy Cow | 57 options on Happy Cow |