Cape Town 🇿🇦
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Medellin 🇨🇴
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Mexico City 🇲🇽
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Valencia 🇪🇸
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Population | 4,617,560 | 15,520,000 | 2,427,000 | 8,850,000 | 834,000 |
Official language(s) | Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English | Turkish | Spanish | Spanish | Spanish, Valencian |
Level of English | Very high | Low | Low | Moderate | Moderate |
Main airport | Cape Town International Airport (CPT) | Istanbul Airport (IST) | José MarÃa Córdova International Airport (MDE) | Mexico City International Airport (MEX) | Valencia Manises Airport (VLC) |
Most common months to visit | March - May, September - November | April - June, September and October | January - April, December | March - May, October, November | March - June, September, October |
Currency | ZAR - South African Rand (R) | TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) | COP - Colombian Peso ($) | MXN - Mexican Peso ($) | EUR - Euro (€) |
Credit cards | Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops | Accepted in most places | Accepted in some places | Widely accepted (less with AMEX) | Accepted almost everywhere |
Remote worker visa | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
Average monthly costs | $1549 | $659 | $1293 | $1867 | $1976 |
Rent | $618 | $354 | $732 | $778 | $869 |
Groceries | $129 | $44 | $87 | $281 | $146 |
Dining out | $269 | $81 | $131 | $182 | $292 |
Cafe | $32 | $18 | $18 | $49 | $42 |
Coworking space | $151 | $49 | $96 | $159 | $152 |
Mobile internet | $27 | $3 | $16 | $25 | $16 |
Public transportation | $55 | $6 | $21 | $11 | $38 |
Taxis | $21 | $6 | $14 | $9 | $42 |
Shared bicycles and scooters | $49 | $2 | $0 | $24 | $30 |
Sport and cultural events | $19 | $11 | $8 | $81 | $73 |
Museums and sights | $15 | $15 | $9 | $20 | $44 |
Nightlife | $43 | $22 | $73 | $64 | $66 |
Gym | $36 | $9 | $15 | $69 | $34 |
Yoga | $56 | $23 | $54 | $65 | $87 |
Massage | $30 | $15 | $20 | $51 | $45 |
SIM card options | MTN, Vodacom | Turkcell, Turk Telekom | Claro, Tigo | Telcel, Movistar | Vodafone, Orange |
Tipping | 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere | Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars | Tip 10% in restaurants | 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services | Round up for good service at restaurants, not common at bars |
Taxi apps | Uber, Bolt | BiTaksi | EasyTaxi | Uber | Cabify, FreeNow |
Tap water | Not drinkable | Not drinkable | Not 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. | A fusion of cultures creates diverse dishes with bulgur, koftes, stews, eggplants and fish | A blend of indigenous and European traditions with rice, maize, cassava, assorted legumes, and meats | Corn, beans, tortillas and chili peppers typically alongside meat and cheese | Mediterranean style using vegetables, seafoods and meats |
Local food specialities | Bitlong and droewors, boerewors, Cape Malay curry, bobotie, melkert, gatsby, bunny chow | Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight | Bandeja paisa, ajiaco, mondongo, empanada, and arepa | Enchiladas, torta de chilaquiles, esquites, quesadillas, tlacoyos, tacos, tostadas | Paella, fideuà , esgarrat, orxata, bunyols |
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 | Street stalls for empanada and arepa with cheese, restaurants for traditional Colombian food | Markets, food stalls, menú del dÃa (cheap set lunch menus) | Tapas bars, markets, menu del dia (cheap set lunches) |
Vegetarian / vegan options | 24 options on HappyCow | 59 listings on Happy Cow | 153 listings on Happy Cow | 279 listings on Happy Cow | 98 listings on Happy Cow |