Cape Town 🇿🇦
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Larnaca 🇨🇾
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Lisbon 🇵🇹
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Madrid 🇪🇸
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Mexico City 🇲🇽
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Prague 🇨🇿
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Sofia 🇧🇬
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Population | 4,617,560 | 144,900 | 517,000 | 6,578,0179 | 8,850,000 | 1,305,737 | 1,270,169 |
Official language(s) | Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English | Greek | Portuguese | Spanish | Spanish | Czech | Bulgarian |
Level of English | Very high | High | Very high | Moderate | Moderate | High | High |
Main airport | Cape Town International Airport (CPT) | Larnaca International Airport (LCA) | Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) | Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) | Mexico City International Airport (MEX) | Václav Havel Airport Prague (PRG) | Sofia International Airport (SOF) |
Most common months to visit | March - May, September - November | March - May, October - December | March - May, September, October | March - May, September - November | March - May, October, November | June - October | April-June, September-October |
Currency | ZAR - South African Rand (R) | EUR - Euro (€) | EUR - Euro (€) | EUR - Euro (€) | MXN - Mexican Peso ($) | CZK - Czech Koruna (Kč) | BGN - Bulgarian Lev (лв) |
Credit cards | Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops | Accepted everywhere | Accepted almost everywhere (less for AMEX) | Accepted everywhere | Widely accepted (less with AMEX) | Accepted most places (some places are cash only) | Accepted everywhere |
Remote worker visa | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
Average monthly costs | $1549 | $1959 | $1984 | $2498 | $1867 | $1806 | $1289 |
Rent | $618 | $678 | $965 | $1174 | $778 | $780 | $567 |
Groceries | $129 | $157 | $136 | $175 | $281 | $158 | $10 |
Dining out | $269 | $261 | $271 | $313 | $182 | $240 | $227 |
Cafe | $32 | $56 | $37 | $51 | $49 | $53 | $27 |
Coworking space | $151 | $209 | $164 | $196 | $159 | $175 | $140 |
Mobile internet | $27 | $35 | $24 | $10 | $25 | $24 | $10 |
Public transportation | $55 | $63 | $63 | $78 | $11 | $61 | $30 |
Taxis | $21 | $42 | $27 | $44 | $9 | $33 | $12 |
Shared bicycles and scooters | $49 | $45 | $18 | $49 | $24 | $19 | $40 |
Sport and cultural events | $19 | $28 | $29 | $54 | $81 | $19 | $18 |
Museums and sights | $15 | $8 | $24 | $20 | $20 | $35 | $12 |
Nightlife | $43 | $110 | $47 | $82 | $64 | $50 | $82 |
Gym | $36 | $107 | $65 | $44 | $69 | $56 | $23 |
Yoga | $56 | $105 | $65 | $142 | $65 | $66 | $62 |
Massage | $30 | $54 | $50 | $64 | $51 | $37 | $29 |
SIM card options | MTN, Vodacom | Primetel, Cytamobile-Vodafone and Epic/MTN | Vodafone | Orange, Movistar, Vodafone | Telcel, Movistar | Vodafone, T-Mobile | A1, Telenor, Vivacom |
Tipping | 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere | 10% usually added and expected at restaurants, round up at bars | 5-10% for restaurants, not common at bars | Not customary or expected but small tips are appreciated. | 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services | 10% at restaurants and bars, round up elsewhere | 10% in restaurants, 1-2 BGN at bars and cafés |
Taxi apps | Uber, Bolt | nTaxi | Uber, FreeNow | Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now | Uber | Uber, Liftago | TaxiMe, TaxiStars |
Tap water | Not drinkable | Not drinkable | Drinkable | Drinkable | Not drinkable | 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 sautéed vegetables and dry-cured meats. Creamy desserts and liqueurs compliment large and flavorful meals. | Mediterranean style with emphasis on seafood, meats, olives, cheesed and traditional sauces. Some food with Middle Eastern influences as well.. | Fresh seafood, meats, soup, sausages and famous pastries | Fresh, regional produce accentuated with garlic and olive oil and mixed with various meats and seafoods. Influenced both by Mediterranean and Middle-Eastern flavors. | Corn, beans, tortillas and chili peppers typically alongside meat and cheese | Thick soups are often combined with stewed vegetables and baked meats to produce rich dishes. Gravies and creams are popular in Czech cuisine, as is beer! | 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 | Souvlaki, sheftalia, kleftiko, stifado, halloumi, koukepia and moussaka | Bacalhau à bras, sardinhas, petiscos, leitão, polvo à lagareiro, pasteis de nata, bifana | Paella, tapas, tortilla, gazpacho, pulpo a la gallega, callos a la madrileña, churros | Enchiladas, torta de chilaquiles, esquites, quesadillas, tlacoyos, tacos, tostadas | Vepřo knedlo zelo, Česnečka, Guláš, Svíčková na smetaně, Ovocné Knedlíky. | 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 | Opt for smaller, outside eateries and taverns serving traditional foods. Fast food kebab shops and falafel bars offer authentic options, too. | Tascas, snack bars, seafood restaurants | Have some tapas and sangria at a tasca and paella at an authentic eatery. Keep an eye on the time and visit a cafeteria for a mid-afternoon merienda and some churros! | Markets, food stalls, menú del día (cheap set lunch menus) | Pubs and taverns, street food stalls, local cafés | Taverns, local BBQ restaurants, local markets and smaller eateries in residential and university areas. |
Vegetarian / vegan options | 24 options on HappyCow | 14 options on HappyCow, but non-meat Mediterranean/Middle Eastern options are always available | 401 listings on Happy Cow | 85 listings on Happy Cow | 279 listings on Happy Cow | 112 options on HappyCow | 20 options on HappyCow |