Cape Town 🇿🇦
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Larnaca 🇨🇾
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Madrid 🇪🇸
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Playa del Carmen 🇲🇽
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Porto 🇵🇹
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Prague 🇨🇿
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Rio de Janeiro 🇧🇷
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Seoul 🇰🇷
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Population | 4,617,560 | 144,900 | 6,578,0179 | 259,453 | 237,559 | 1,305,737 | 6,718,903 | 9,963,452 |
Official language(s) | Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English | Greek | Spanish | Spanish | Portuguese | Czech | Portuguese | Korean |
Level of English | Very high | High | Moderate | Moderate | Very High | High | Low | Moderate |
Main airport | Cape Town International Airport (CPT) | Larnaca International Airport (LCA) | Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) | Cancun International Airport (CUN) | Francisco Sá Carneiro International Airport (OPO) | Václav Havel Airport Prague (PRG) | Galeão International Airport | Incheon International Airport (ICN) |
Most common months to visit | March - May, September - November | March - May, October - December | March - May, September - November | January - May, October - December | May - September | June - October | January - March, December | March - May, September - November |
Currency | ZAR - South African Rand (R) | EUR - Euro (€) | EUR - Euro (€) | MXN - Mexican Peso ($) | EUR - Euro (€) | CZK - Czech Koruna (Kč) | BRL - Brazilian Real (R$) | KRW - South Korean won (₩) |
Credit cards | Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops | Accepted everywhere | Accepted everywhere | Accepted almost everywhere | Accepted everywhere | Accepted most places (some places are cash only) | Accepted everywhere | Accepted everywhere |
Remote worker visa | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
Average monthly costs | $1549 | $1959 | $2498 | $2143 | $1759 | $1806 | $1833 | $2184 |
Rent | $618 | $678 | $1174 | $923 | $717 | $780 | $1066 | $797 |
Groceries | $129 | $157 | $175 | $127 | $148 | $158 | $95 | $356 |
Dining out | $269 | $261 | $313 | $207 | $280 | $240 | $210 | $211 |
Cafe | $32 | $56 | $51 | $42 | $45 | $53 | $25 | $69 |
Coworking space | $151 | $209 | $196 | $160 | $96 | $175 | $130 | $222 |
Mobile internet | $27 | $35 | $10 | $21 | $21 | $24 | $7 | $40 |
Public transportation | $55 | $63 | $78 | $17 | $95 | $61 | $33 | $40 |
Taxis | $21 | $42 | $44 | $9 | $25 | $33 | $14 | $41 |
Shared bicycles and scooters | $49 | $45 | $49 | $49 | $10 | $19 | $16 | $13 |
Sport and cultural events | $19 | $28 | $54 | $97 | $45 | $19 | $55 | $39 |
Museums and sights | $15 | $8 | $20 | $217 | $24 | $35 | $26 | $6 |
Nightlife | $43 | $110 | $82 | $77 | $66 | $50 | $54 | $93 |
Gym | $36 | $107 | $44 | $42 | $56 | $56 | $31 | $69 |
Yoga | $56 | $105 | $142 | $54 | $82 | $66 | $40 | $112 |
Massage | $30 | $54 | $64 | $101 | $48 | $37 | $32 | $75 |
SIM card options | MTN, Vodacom | Primetel, Cytamobile-Vodafone and Epic/MTN | Orange, Movistar, Vodafone | Telcel, Movistar | Vodafone, MEO, NOS | Vodafone, T-Mobile | Tim, Claro, Vivo | KT, SK Telecom, LG Uplus |
Tipping | 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere | 10% usually added and expected at restaurants, round up at bars | Not customary or expected but small tips are appreciated. | 10-15% for restaurants | 5-10% at restaurants if happy with service, not expected at cafes or bars | 10% at restaurants and bars, round up elsewhere | 10% usually included in restaurants, 10% at bars and cafes with table service is common | Not customary or expected |
Taxi apps | Uber, Bolt | nTaxi | Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now | N/A | Uber, MyTaxi, Cabify | Uber, Liftago | Easy Taxi, 99 Taxi, Uber | Uber, Kakao |
Tap water | Not drinkable | Not drinkable | Drinkable | Not drinkable | Drinkable | Drinkable | Not drinkable | 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, regional produce accentuated with garlic and olive oil and mixed with various meats and seafoods. Influenced both by Mediterranean and Middle-Eastern flavors. | Staple dishes from maize, beans, sweet potato and avocado along with meat, chili peppers and other spices | A variety of meats often mixed with fresh legumes and vegetables. Emphasis on rich seafood dishes and creamy desserts. | 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! | Emphasis on rice, beans, pork and beef with a variety of root vegetables and fresh fruits. Fresh seafood is also very common. | Emphasis on rice, vegetables, spices and meats. Main dishes are coupled with diverse side dishes and desserts. Strong driking culture. |
Local food specialities | Bitlong and droewors, boerewors, Cape Malay curry, bobotie, melkert, gatsby, bunny chow | Souvlaki, sheftalia, kleftiko, stifado, halloumi, koukepia and moussaka | Paella, tapas, tortilla, gazpacho, pulpo a la gallega, callos a la madrileña, churros | Chilaquiles, tacos al pastor, chile rellenos, cochinita pibil, tostadas, pozole | Bacalhau, Alheira de Mirandela, Francesinha, queido da serra da estrela, tripas a moda do Oporto, pasteis de chaves, tarte de amendoa | Vepřo knedlo zelo, Česnečka, Guláš, Svíčková na smetaně, Ovocné Knedlíky. | Feijoada, bolinho de bacalhau, fried sardines, caldo verde, pao de queijo and brigadeiros. | Kimchi, bulgogi, chap chae, mandu, sam gae tang, bossam |
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. | 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! | Taco stands, esquite stalls, El Fogon, El Pirata, Dona Mary's | Local taverns, terraces, markets, tascas, churrascarias and local sports bars | Pubs and taverns, street food stalls, local cafés | 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. | Smaller, local eateries (sikdang), street stalls and local markets |
Vegetarian / vegan options | 24 options on HappyCow | 14 options on HappyCow, but non-meat Mediterranean/Middle Eastern options are always available | 85 listings on Happy Cow | 72 listings on Happy Cow | 46 options on Happy Cow | 112 options on HappyCow | 54 options on Happy Cow | 57 options on Happy Cow |