Bangkok vs Cape Town vs Istanbul vs Panama City

Bangkok ๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ญ
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Cape Town ๐Ÿ‡ฟ๐Ÿ‡ฆ
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Istanbul ๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท
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Panama City ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฆ
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Population 5,680,000 4,617,560 15,520,000 880,691
Official language(s) Thai Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English Turkish Spanish
Level of English Low Very high Low Low
Main airport Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) Cape Town International Airport (CPT) Istanbul Airport (IST) Tocumen International Airport (PTY)
Most common months to visit January - March, November, December March - May, September - November April - June, September and October December - April
Currency THB - Thai Baht (เธฟ) ZAR - South African Rand (R) TRY - Turkish Lira (โ‚บ) PAB - Panamanian Balboa (B/.)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops Accepted in most places Accepted almost everywhere but not in smaller shops.
Remote worker visa No No No Yes
Average monthly costs $1560 $1549 $659 $2359
Rent $616 $618 $354 $1036
Groceries $191 $129 $44 $236
Dining out $168 $269 $81 $371
Cafe $45 $32 $18 $43
Coworking space $127 $151 $49 $157
Mobile internet $23 $27 $3 $21
Public transportation $32 $55 $6 $12
Taxis $19 $21 $6 $48
Shared bicycles and scooters $17 $49 $2 $0
Sport and cultural events $46 $19 $11 $35
Museums and sights $21 $15 $15 $9
Nightlife $50 $43 $22 $117
Gym $96 $36 $9 $37
Yoga $98 $56 $23 $163
Massage $11 $30 $15 $75
SIM card options AIS MTN, Vodacom Turkcell, Turk Telekom Claro, Movistar
Tipping 10% for restaurants, bars and services 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafรฉs and bars 10% in restaurants, round up elsewhere
Taxi apps Grab Uber, Bolt BiTaksi Uber, Tu Chofer
Tap water Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable
Overall cuisine Meat and fish dishes, vegetables, noodles and soup 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 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.
Local food specialities Pad thai, tom yam, kway teow reua, som tum, sooan Bitlong and droewors, boerewors, Cape Malay curry, bobotie, melkert, gatsby, bunny chow Dรถner, ฤฐรงli Kรถfte, Dondurma, Karnฤฑyarฤฑk, Turkish delight Sancocho de gallina, carimanola, empanadas, tamales panameรฑos, tostones, ropa vieja
Eat like a local Food stalls, local markets, shophouse restaurants 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 Fondas (roadside stalls), smaller local restaurants, local markets, food trucks
Vegetarian / vegan options 416 listings on Happy Cow 24 options on HappyCow 59 listings on Happy Cow 7 options on HappyCow