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Barcelona 🇪🇸
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Cape Town 🇿🇦
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Larnaca 🇨🇾
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Lisbon 🇵🇹
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Playa del Carmen 🇲🇽
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| Population | 5,585,556 | 4,617,560 | 144,900 | 517,000 | 259,453 |
| Official language(s) | Catalan, Spanish | Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English | Greek | Portuguese | Spanish |
| Level of English | High | Very high | High | Very high | Moderate |
| Main airport | Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) | Cape Town International Airport (CPT) | Larnaca International Airport (LCA) | Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) | Cancun International Airport (CUN) |
| Most common months to visit | April - June, September - November | March - May, September - November | March - May, October - December | March - May, September, October | January - May, October - December |
| Currency | EUR - Euro (€) | ZAR - South African Rand (R) | EUR - Euro (€) | EUR - Euro (€) | MXN - Mexican Peso ($) |
| Credit cards | Accepted almost evewhere | Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops | Accepted everywhere | Accepted almost everywhere (less for AMEX) | Accepted almost everywhere |
| Remote worker visa | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Average monthly costs | $2384 | $1549 | $1959 | $1984 | $2143 |
| Rent | $932 | $618 | $678 | $965 | $923 |
| Groceries | $121 | $129 | $157 | $136 | $127 |
| Dining out | $403 | $269 | $261 | $271 | $207 |
| Cafe | $45 | $32 | $56 | $37 | $42 |
| Coworking space | $213 | $151 | $209 | $164 | $160 |
| Mobile internet | $10 | $27 | $35 | $24 | $21 |
| Public transportation | $127 | $55 | $63 | $63 | $17 |
| Taxis | $48 | $21 | $42 | $27 | $9 |
| Shared bicycles and scooters | $24 | $49 | $45 | $18 | $49 |
| Sport and cultural events | $81 | $19 | $28 | $29 | $97 |
| Museums and sights | $33 | $15 | $8 | $24 | $217 |
| Nightlife | $112 | $43 | $110 | $47 | $77 |
| Gym | $81 | $36 | $107 | $65 | $42 |
| Yoga | $93 | $56 | $105 | $65 | $54 |
| Massage | $59 | $30 | $54 | $50 | $101 |
| SIM card options | Vodafone, Movistar | MTN, Vodacom | Primetel, Cytamobile-Vodafone and Epic/MTN | Vodafone | Telcel, Movistar |
| Tipping | 5-10% in restaurants if service is exceptional, not expected elsewhere | 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 | 10-15% for restaurants |
| Taxi apps | Cabify, FreeNow | Uber, Bolt | nTaxi | Uber, FreeNow | N/A |
| Tap water | Drinkable | Not drinkable | Not drinkable | Drinkable | Not 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 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 | Staple dishes from maize, beans, sweet potato and avocado along with meat, chili peppers and other spices |
| Local food specialities | Paella, bombas, esqueixada, pa amb tomáquet, escalivada, crema Catalana, gazpacho, chorizo | 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 | Chilaquiles, tacos al pastor, chile rellenos, cochinita pibil, tostadas, pozole |
| 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 | 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 | Taco stands, esquite stalls, El Fogon, El Pirata, Dona Mary's |
| Vegetarian / vegan options | 98 options on HappyCow | 24 options on HappyCow | 14 options on HappyCow, but non-meat Mediterranean/Middle Eastern options are always available | 401 listings on Happy Cow | 72 listings on Happy Cow |