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Cape Town ๐ฟ๐ฆ
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Chiang Mai ๐น๐ญ
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Larnaca ๐จ๐พ
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Lisbon ๐ต๐น
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Playa del Carmen ๐ฒ๐ฝ
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| Population | 4,617,560 | 1,166,978 | 144,900 | 517,000 | 259,453 |
| Official language(s) | Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English | Thai | Greek | Portuguese | Spanish |
| Level of English | Very high | Low | High | Very high | Moderate |
| Main airport | Cape Town International Airport (CPT) | Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) | Larnaca International Airport (LCA) | Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) | Cancun International Airport (CUN) |
| Most common months to visit | March - May, September - November | November - April | March - May, October - December | March - May, September, October | January - May, October - December |
| Currency | ZAR - South African Rand (R) | THB - Thai Baht (เธฟ) | EUR - Euro (โฌ) | EUR - Euro (โฌ) | MXN - Mexican Peso ($) |
| Credit cards | Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops | Accepted sometimes. Cash preferred in many places. | Accepted everywhere | Accepted almost everywhere (less for AMEX) | Accepted almost everywhere |
| Remote worker visa | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Average monthly costs | $1549 | $974 | $1959 | $1984 | $2143 |
| Rent | $618 | $274 | $678 | $965 | $923 |
| Groceries | $129 | $169 | $157 | $136 | $127 |
| Dining out | $269 | $108 | $261 | $271 | $207 |
| Cafe | $32 | $45 | $56 | $37 | $42 |
| Coworking space | $151 | $95 | $209 | $164 | $160 |
| Mobile internet | $27 | $11 | $35 | $24 | $21 |
| Public transportation | $55 | $60 | $63 | $63 | $17 |
| Taxis | $21 | $20 | $42 | $27 | $9 |
| Shared bicycles and scooters | $49 | $10 | $45 | $18 | $49 |
| Sport and cultural events | $19 | $8 | $28 | $29 | $97 |
| Museums and sights | $15 | $8 | $8 | $24 | $217 |
| Nightlife | $43 | $62 | $110 | $47 | $77 |
| Gym | $36 | $41 | $107 | $65 | $42 |
| Yoga | $56 | $55 | $105 | $65 | $54 |
| Massage | $30 | $10 | $54 | $50 | $101 |
| SIM card options | MTN, Vodacom | AIS, DTAC | Primetel, Cytamobile-Vodafone and Epic/MTN | Vodafone | Telcel, Movistar |
| Tipping | 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere | 10% at restaurants, not customary or expected 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 | Uber, Bolt | Grab | nTaxi | Uber, FreeNow | N/A |
| Tap water | Not drinkable | Not 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 sautรฉed vegetables and dry-cured meats. Creamy desserts and liqueurs compliment large and flavorful meals. | Combines salty, sweet, spicy and sour flavors to create bold and colorful dishes. Meals typically include a mixture of meat and seafood dishes, as well as noodles or soups recipes. Strong emphasis on local spices and vegetables. | 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 | Bitlong and droewors, boerewors, Cape Malay curry, bobotie, melkert, gatsby, bunny chow | Khao soi, khan toke, sai oua, miang kham, nam prik, khanom jeen nam ngiaw, larb khua | Souvlaki, sheftalia, kleftiko, stifado, halloumi, koukepia and moussaka | Bacalhau ร bras, sardinhas, petiscos, leitรฃo, polvo ร lagareiro, pasteis de nata, bifana | Chilaquiles, tacos al pastor, chile rellenos, cochinita pibil, tostadas, pozole |
| Eat like a local | Cape Malay shacks, food trucks, street food joints, local grills, small bakeries and food markets | Street food stalls, local markets, bakeries and smaller, traditional restaurants that serve fresh food | 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 | 24 options on HappyCow | 90 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 |