Cape Town vs Istanbul vs Panama City vs Rio de Janeiro vs Sofia

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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Rio de Janeiro ๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ท
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Sofia ๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ฌ
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Population 4,617,560 15,520,000 880,691 6,718,903 1,270,169
Official language(s) Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English Turkish Spanish Portuguese Bulgarian
Level of English Very high Low Low Low High
Main airport Cape Town International Airport (CPT) Istanbul Airport (IST) Tocumen International Airport (PTY) Galeรฃo International Airport Sofia International Airport (SOF)
Most common months to visit March - May, September - November April - June, September and October December - April January - March, December April-June, September-October
Currency ZAR - South African Rand (R) TRY - Turkish Lira (โ‚บ) PAB - Panamanian Balboa (B/.) BRL - Brazilian Real (R$) BGN - Bulgarian Lev (ะปะฒ)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops Accepted in most places Accepted almost everywhere but not in smaller shops. Accepted everywhere Accepted everywhere
Remote worker visa No No Yes No No
Average monthly costs $1549 $659 $2359 $1833 $1289
Rent $618 $354 $1036 $1066 $567
Groceries $129 $44 $236 $95 $10
Dining out $269 $81 $371 $210 $227
Cafe $32 $18 $43 $25 $27
Coworking space $151 $49 $157 $130 $140
Mobile internet $27 $3 $21 $7 $10
Public transportation $55 $6 $12 $33 $30
Taxis $21 $6 $48 $14 $12
Shared bicycles and scooters $49 $2 $0 $16 $40
Sport and cultural events $19 $11 $35 $55 $18
Museums and sights $15 $15 $9 $26 $12
Nightlife $43 $22 $117 $54 $82
Gym $36 $9 $37 $31 $23
Yoga $56 $23 $163 $40 $62
Massage $30 $15 $75 $32 $29
SIM card options MTN, Vodacom Turkcell, Turk Telekom Claro, Movistar Tim, Claro, Vivo A1, Telenor, Vivacom
Tipping 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafรฉs and bars 10% in restaurants, round up elsewhere 10% usually included in restaurants, 10% at bars and cafes with table service is common 10% in restaurants, 1-2 BGN at bars and cafรฉs
Taxi apps Uber, Bolt BiTaksi Uber, Tu Chofer Easy Taxi, 99 Taxi, Uber TaxiMe, TaxiStars
Tap water Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not 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 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. Emphasis on rice, beans, pork and beef with a variety of root vegetables and fresh fruits. Fresh seafood is also very common. Vegetables and mild spices are often mixed with dairy products to create rich chicken and pork products. Seafood dishes also popular in some regions of the country, making them popular in the capital.
Local food specialities 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 Feijoada, bolinho de bacalhau, fried sardines, caldo verde, pao de queijo and brigadeiros. Kebapche, Bulgarian musaka, lyutenitsa, shkember chorba, kyufte, kavarma, banitsa and tarator
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 Fondas (roadside stalls), smaller local restaurants, local markets, food trucks The "snack capital" of Brazil, Rio is a perfect place to try street food as well as the wide varieties of small, traditional eateries and churrascarias easily found across the city. Taverns, local BBQ restaurants, local markets and smaller eateries in residential and university areas.
Vegetarian / vegan options 24 options on HappyCow 59 listings on Happy Cow 7 options on HappyCow 54 options on Happy Cow 20 options on HappyCow