Cape Town vs Medellin vs Panama City vs Playa del Carmen vs Seoul

Cape Town ๐Ÿ‡ฟ๐Ÿ‡ฆ
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Medellin ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ด
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Panama City ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฆ
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Playa del Carmen ๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ
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Seoul ๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท
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Population 4,617,560 2,427,000 880,691 259,453 9,963,452
Official language(s) Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English Spanish Spanish Spanish Korean
Level of English Very high Low Low Moderate Moderate
Main airport Cape Town International Airport (CPT) Josรฉ Marรญa Cรณrdova International Airport (MDE) Tocumen International Airport (PTY) Cancun International Airport (CUN) Incheon International Airport (ICN)
Most common months to visit March - May, September - November January - April, December December - April January - May, October - December March - May, September - November
Currency ZAR - South African Rand (R) COP - Colombian Peso ($) PAB - Panamanian Balboa (B/.) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) KRW - South Korean won (โ‚ฉ)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops Accepted in some places Accepted almost everywhere but not in smaller shops. Accepted almost everywhere Accepted everywhere
Remote worker visa No No Yes Yes No
Average monthly costs $1549 $1293 $2359 $2143 $2184
Rent $618 $732 $1036 $923 $797
Groceries $129 $87 $236 $127 $356
Dining out $269 $131 $371 $207 $211
Cafe $32 $18 $43 $42 $69
Coworking space $151 $96 $157 $160 $222
Mobile internet $27 $16 $21 $21 $40
Public transportation $55 $21 $12 $17 $40
Taxis $21 $14 $48 $9 $41
Shared bicycles and scooters $49 $0 $0 $49 $13
Sport and cultural events $19 $8 $35 $97 $39
Museums and sights $15 $9 $9 $217 $6
Nightlife $43 $73 $117 $77 $93
Gym $36 $15 $37 $42 $69
Yoga $56 $54 $163 $54 $112
Massage $30 $20 $75 $101 $75
SIM card options MTN, Vodacom Claro, Tigo Claro, Movistar Telcel, Movistar KT, SK Telecom, LG Uplus
Tipping 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere Tip 10% in restaurants 10% in restaurants, round up elsewhere 10-15% for restaurants Not customary or expected
Taxi apps Uber, Bolt EasyTaxi Uber, Tu Chofer N/A Uber, Kakao
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 sautรฉed vegetables and dry-cured meats. Creamy desserts and liqueurs compliment large and flavorful meals. A blend of indigenous and European traditions with rice, maize, cassava, assorted legumes, and meats Latin American. Emphasis on rice, beans, coconut, and local fruits and vegetables. Pork and beef are regularly used and influence from the islands gives seafood dishes a prominent spot in Panamanian cuisine. Staple dishes from maize, beans, sweet potato and avocado along with meat, chili peppers and other spices Emphasis on rice, vegetables, spices and meats. Main dishes are coupled with diverse side dishes and desserts. Strong driking culture.
Local food specialities Bitlong and droewors, boerewors, Cape Malay curry, bobotie, melkert, gatsby, bunny chow Bandeja paisa, ajiaco, mondongo, empanada, and arepa Sancocho de gallina, carimanola, empanadas, tamales panameรฑos, tostones, ropa vieja Chilaquiles, tacos al pastor, chile rellenos, cochinita pibil, tostadas, pozole Kimchi, bulgogi, chap chae, mandu, sam gae tang, bossam
Eat like a local Cape Malay shacks, food trucks, street food joints, local grills, small bakeries and food markets Street stalls for empanada and arepa with cheese, restaurants for traditional Colombian food Fondas (roadside stalls), smaller local restaurants, local markets, food trucks Taco stands, esquite stalls, El Fogon, El Pirata, Dona Mary's Smaller, local eateries (sikdang), street stalls and local markets
Vegetarian / vegan options 24 options on HappyCow 153 listings on Happy Cow 7 options on HappyCow 72 listings on Happy Cow 57 options on Happy Cow