Cape Town 🇿🇦
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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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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Ubud 🇮🇩
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Population | 4,617,560 | 15,520,000 | 144,900 | 6,578,0179 | 259,453 | 237,559 | 1,305,737 | 112,490 |
Official language(s) | Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English | Turkish | Greek | Spanish | Spanish | Portuguese | Czech | Indonesian and Balinese |
Level of English | Very high | Low | High | Moderate | Moderate | Very High | High | Low |
Main airport | Cape Town International Airport (CPT) | Istanbul Airport (IST) | Larnaca International Airport (LCA) | Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) | Cancun International Airport (CUN) | Francisco Sá Carneiro International Airport (OPO) | Václav Havel Airport Prague (PRG) | Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPA) |
Most common months to visit | March - May, September - November | April - June, September and October | March - May, October - December | March - May, September - November | January - May, October - December | May - September | June - October | May - October |
Currency | ZAR - South African Rand (R) | TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) | EUR - Euro (€) | EUR - Euro (€) | MXN - Mexican Peso ($) | EUR - Euro (€) | CZK - Czech Koruna (Kč) | IDR - Indonesian Rupiah (Rp) |
Credit cards | Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops | Accepted in most places | Accepted everywhere | Accepted everywhere | Accepted almost everywhere | Accepted everywhere | Accepted most places (some places are cash only) | Accepted in some places |
Remote worker visa | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Average monthly costs | $1549 | $659 | $1959 | $2498 | $2143 | $1759 | $1806 | $1363 |
Rent | $618 | $354 | $678 | $1174 | $923 | $717 | $780 | $658 |
Groceries | $129 | $44 | $157 | $175 | $127 | $148 | $158 | $150 |
Dining out | $269 | $81 | $261 | $313 | $207 | $280 | $240 | $10 |
Cafe | $32 | $18 | $56 | $51 | $42 | $45 | $53 | $28 |
Coworking space | $151 | $49 | $209 | $196 | $160 | $96 | $175 | $106 |
Mobile internet | $27 | $3 | $35 | $10 | $21 | $21 | $24 | $3 |
Public transportation | $55 | $6 | $63 | $78 | $17 | $95 | $61 | $53 |
Taxis | $21 | $6 | $42 | $44 | $9 | $25 | $33 | $13 |
Shared bicycles and scooters | $49 | $2 | $45 | $49 | $49 | $10 | $19 | $33 |
Sport and cultural events | $19 | $11 | $28 | $54 | $97 | $45 | $19 | $14 |
Museums and sights | $15 | $15 | $8 | $20 | $217 | $24 | $35 | $9 |
Nightlife | $43 | $22 | $110 | $82 | $77 | $66 | $50 | $118 |
Gym | $36 | $9 | $107 | $44 | $42 | $56 | $56 | $72 |
Yoga | $56 | $23 | $105 | $142 | $54 | $82 | $66 | $87 |
Massage | $30 | $15 | $54 | $64 | $101 | $48 | $37 | $10 |
SIM card options | MTN, Vodacom | Turkcell, Turk Telekom | Primetel, Cytamobile-Vodafone and Epic/MTN | Orange, Movistar, Vodafone | Telcel, Movistar | Vodafone, MEO, NOS | Vodafone, T-Mobile | Telkomsel, XL Axiata |
Tipping | 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere | Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars | 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 | Tip 5 - 10% in restaurants if service charge is not included in the bill |
Taxi apps | Uber, Bolt | BiTaksi | nTaxi | Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now | N/A | Uber, MyTaxi, Cabify | Uber, Liftago | Grab, GoJek |
Tap water | Not drinkable | Not drinkable | Not drinkable | Drinkable | Not drinkable | 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. | A fusion of cultures creates diverse dishes with bulgur, koftes, stews, eggplants and fish | 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! | Balinese foods revolve on the complex flavors from certain ingredients like fresh vegetables, meat, coconut milk, and time-tested spices mixture. |
Local food specialities | Bitlong and droewors, boerewors, Cape Malay curry, bobotie, melkert, gatsby, bunny chow | Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight | 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. | Satay, nasi goreng, gado-gado, martabak, bubur sumsum |
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 | 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 | Warung for authentic babi guling and bebek betutu, cafes for kopi luwak, street stalls for pisang goreng, nasi campur, and sate lilit |
Vegetarian / vegan options | 24 options on HappyCow | 59 listings on Happy Cow | 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 | 255 listings on Happy Cow |