Cape Town vs Istanbul vs Medellin vs Mexico City vs Valencia

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 María 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 día (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