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Cape Town 🇿🇦
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Lisbon 🇵🇹
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Mexico City 🇲🇽
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Playa del Carmen 🇲🇽
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| Population | 4,617,560 | 517,000 | 8,850,000 | 259,453 |
| Official language(s) | Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English | Portuguese | Spanish | Spanish |
| Level of English | Very high | Very high | Moderate | Moderate |
| Main airport | Cape Town International Airport (CPT) | Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) | Mexico City International Airport (MEX) | Cancun International Airport (CUN) |
| Most common months to visit | March - May, September - November | March - May, September, October | March - May, October, November | January - May, October - December |
| Currency | ZAR - South African Rand (R) | EUR - Euro (€) | MXN - Mexican Peso ($) | MXN - Mexican Peso ($) |
| Credit cards | Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops | Accepted almost everywhere (less for AMEX) | Widely accepted (less with AMEX) | Accepted almost everywhere |
| Remote worker visa | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Average monthly costs | $1549 | $1984 | $1867 | $2143 |
| Rent | $618 | $965 | $778 | $923 |
| Groceries | $129 | $136 | $281 | $127 |
| Dining out | $269 | $271 | $182 | $207 |
| Cafe | $32 | $37 | $49 | $42 |
| Coworking space | $151 | $164 | $159 | $160 |
| Mobile internet | $27 | $24 | $25 | $21 |
| Public transportation | $55 | $63 | $11 | $17 |
| Taxis | $21 | $27 | $9 | $9 |
| Shared bicycles and scooters | $49 | $18 | $24 | $49 |
| Sport and cultural events | $19 | $29 | $81 | $97 |
| Museums and sights | $15 | $24 | $20 | $217 |
| Nightlife | $43 | $47 | $64 | $77 |
| Gym | $36 | $65 | $69 | $42 |
| Yoga | $56 | $65 | $65 | $54 |
| Massage | $30 | $50 | $51 | $101 |
| SIM card options | MTN, Vodacom | Vodafone | Telcel, Movistar | Telcel, Movistar |
| Tipping | 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere | 5-10% for restaurants, not common at bars | 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services | 10-15% for restaurants |
| Taxi apps | Uber, Bolt | Uber, FreeNow | Uber | N/A |
| Tap water | Not drinkable | Drinkable | Not 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. | Fresh seafood, meats, soup, sausages and famous pastries | Corn, beans, tortillas and chili peppers typically alongside meat and cheese | 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 | Bacalhau à bras, sardinhas, petiscos, leitão, polvo à lagareiro, pasteis de nata, bifana | Enchiladas, torta de chilaquiles, esquites, quesadillas, tlacoyos, tacos, tostadas | 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 | Tascas, snack bars, seafood restaurants | Markets, food stalls, menú del día (cheap set lunch menus) | Taco stands, esquite stalls, El Fogon, El Pirata, Dona Mary's |
| Vegetarian / vegan options | 24 options on HappyCow | 401 listings on Happy Cow | 279 listings on Happy Cow | 72 listings on Happy Cow |