|
Cape Town 🇿🇦
|
Chiang Mai 🇹🇭
|
Larnaca 🇨🇾
|
Playa del Carmen 🇲🇽
|
Porto 🇵🇹
|
Prague 🇨🇿
|
Ubud 🇮🇩
|
|
| Population | 4,617,560 | 1,166,978 | 144,900 | 259,453 | 237,559 | 1,305,737 | 112,490 |
| Official language(s) | Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English | Thai | Greek | Spanish | Portuguese | Czech | Indonesian and Balinese |
| Level of English | Very high | Low | High | Moderate | Very High | High | Low |
| Main airport | Cape Town International Airport (CPT) | Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) | Larnaca International Airport (LCA) | 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 | November - April | March - May, October - December | January - May, October - December | May - September | June - October | May - October |
| Currency | ZAR - South African Rand (R) | THB - Thai Baht (฿) | 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 sometimes. Cash preferred in many places. | 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 |
| Average monthly costs | $1549 | $974 | $1959 | $2143 | $1759 | $1806 | $1363 |
| Rent | $618 | $274 | $678 | $923 | $717 | $780 | $658 |
| Groceries | $129 | $169 | $157 | $127 | $148 | $158 | $150 |
| Dining out | $269 | $108 | $261 | $207 | $280 | $240 | $10 |
| Cafe | $32 | $45 | $56 | $42 | $45 | $53 | $28 |
| Coworking space | $151 | $95 | $209 | $160 | $96 | $175 | $106 |
| Mobile internet | $27 | $11 | $35 | $21 | $21 | $24 | $3 |
| Public transportation | $55 | $60 | $63 | $17 | $95 | $61 | $53 |
| Taxis | $21 | $20 | $42 | $9 | $25 | $33 | $13 |
| Shared bicycles and scooters | $49 | $10 | $45 | $49 | $10 | $19 | $33 |
| Sport and cultural events | $19 | $8 | $28 | $97 | $45 | $19 | $14 |
| Museums and sights | $15 | $8 | $8 | $217 | $24 | $35 | $9 |
| Nightlife | $43 | $62 | $110 | $77 | $66 | $50 | $118 |
| Gym | $36 | $41 | $107 | $42 | $56 | $56 | $72 |
| Yoga | $56 | $55 | $105 | $54 | $82 | $66 | $87 |
| Massage | $30 | $10 | $54 | $101 | $48 | $37 | $10 |
| SIM card options | MTN, Vodacom | AIS, DTAC | Primetel, Cytamobile-Vodafone and Epic/MTN | Telcel, Movistar | Vodafone, MEO, NOS | Vodafone, T-Mobile | Telkomsel, XL Axiata |
| 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 | 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 | Grab | nTaxi | N/A | Uber, MyTaxi, Cabify | Uber, Liftago | Grab, GoJek |
| Tap water | Not drinkable | Not drinkable | Not 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. | 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.. | 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 | Khao soi, khan toke, sai oua, miang kham, nam prik, khanom jeen nam ngiaw, larb khua | Souvlaki, sheftalia, kleftiko, stifado, halloumi, koukepia and moussaka | 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 | 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. | 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 | 90 options on HappyCow | 14 options on HappyCow, but non-meat Mediterranean/Middle Eastern options are always available | 72 listings on Happy Cow | 46 options on Happy Cow | 112 options on HappyCow | 255 listings on Happy Cow |