Barbados 🇧🇧
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Cape Town 🇿🇦
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Larnaca 🇨🇾
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Valencia 🇪🇸
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Population | 110,000 | 4,617,560 | 144,900 | 834,000 |
Official language(s) | English, Bajan Creole | Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English | Greek | Spanish, Valencian |
Level of English | Very high | Very high | High | Moderate |
Main airport | Bridgetown/Grantley Adams International Airport (BGI) | Cape Town International Airport (CPT) | Larnaca International Airport (LCA) | Valencia Manises Airport (VLC) |
Most common months to visit | November - May | March - May, September - November | March - May, October - December | March - June, September, October |
Currency | BBD - Barbadian dollar ($) | ZAR - South African Rand (R) | EUR - Euro (€) | EUR - Euro (€) |
Credit cards | Accepted in some places, cash also needed for smaller businesses | Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops | Accepted everywhere | Accepted almost everywhere |
Remote worker visa | Yes | No | No | Yes |
Average monthly costs | $2702 | $1549 | $1959 | $1976 |
Rent | $1054 | $618 | $678 | $869 |
Groceries | $234 | $129 | $157 | $146 |
Dining out | $345 | $269 | $261 | $292 |
Cafe | $75 | $32 | $56 | $42 |
Coworking space | $321 | $151 | $209 | $152 |
Mobile internet | $49 | $27 | $35 | $16 |
Public transportation | $35 | $55 | $63 | $38 |
Taxis | $106 | $21 | $42 | $42 |
Shared bicycles and scooters | $0 | $49 | $45 | $30 |
Sport and cultural events | $37 | $19 | $28 | $73 |
Museums and sights | $36 | $15 | $8 | $44 |
Nightlife | $96 | $43 | $110 | $66 |
Gym | $86 | $36 | $107 | $34 |
Yoga | $130 | $56 | $105 | $87 |
Massage | $99 | $30 | $54 | $45 |
SIM card options | Digicel | MTN, Vodacom | Primetel, Cytamobile-Vodafone and Epic/MTN | Vodafone, Orange |
Tipping | 10 - 15% usually included in restaurants, add 10 - 15% at bars | 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere | 10% usually added and expected at restaurants, round up at bars | Round up for good service at restaurants, not common at bars |
Taxi apps | None available | Uber, Bolt | nTaxi | Cabify, FreeNow |
Tap water | Not drinkable | Not drinkable | Not drinkable | Drinkable |
Overall cuisine | Bajan cuisine features an eclectic mix of European, Asian, and Caribbean styles resulting in bold, tasty and crunchy meat or fish dishes with lots of spices, lime juice, thyme and salads laden with local vegetables and hot side dishes. | 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.. | Mediterranean style using vegetables, seafoods and meats |
Local food specialities | Cou-cou and flying fish, fish cakes, cutters, pudding and souse, macaroni pie, conkies, Bajan black cake, sea eggs | Bitlong and droewors, boerewors, Cape Malay curry, bobotie, melkert, gatsby, bunny chow | Souvlaki, sheftalia, kleftiko, stifado, halloumi, koukepia and moussaka | Paella, fideuà , esgarrat, orxata, bunyols |
Eat like a local | Food trucks, pubs, seaside street food, roadside carts, local seafood restaurants, smaller traditional restaurants and rum shops | 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. | Tapas bars, markets, menu del dia (cheap set lunches) |
Vegetarian / vegan options | 14 options on HappyCow | 24 options on HappyCow | 14 options on HappyCow, but non-meat Mediterranean/Middle Eastern options are always available | 98 listings on Happy Cow |