Cape Town ๐ฟ๐ฆ
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Madrid ๐ช๐ธ
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New York City ๐บ๐ธ
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Sofia ๐ง๐ฌ
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Population | 4,617,560 | 6,578,0179 | 8,323,340 | 1,270,169 |
Official language(s) | Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English | Spanish | English (de facto) | Bulgarian |
Level of English | Very high | Moderate | Very high | High |
Main airport | Cape Town International Airport (CPT) | Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) | John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) | Sofia International Airport (SOF) |
Most common months to visit | March - May, September - November | March - May, September - November | April - June, September - November | April-June, September-October |
Currency | ZAR - South African Rand (R) | EUR - Euro (โฌ) | USD - US Dollar ($) | BGN - Bulgarian Lev (ะปะฒ) |
Credit cards | Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops | Accepted everywhere | Accepted everywhere | Accepted everywhere |
Remote worker visa | No | Yes | No | No |
Average monthly costs | $1549 | $2498 | $5431 | $1289 |
Rent | $618 | $1174 | $2891 | $567 |
Groceries | $129 | $175 | $383 | $10 |
Dining out | $269 | $313 | $656 | $227 |
Cafe | $32 | $51 | $72 | $27 |
Coworking space | $151 | $196 | $326 | $140 |
Mobile internet | $27 | $10 | $45 | $10 |
Public transportation | $55 | $78 | $220 | $30 |
Taxis | $21 | $44 | $78 | $12 |
Shared bicycles and scooters | $49 | $49 | $30 | $40 |
Sport and cultural events | $19 | $54 | $100 | $18 |
Museums and sights | $15 | $20 | $74 | $12 |
Nightlife | $43 | $82 | $195 | $82 |
Gym | $36 | $44 | $55 | $23 |
Yoga | $56 | $142 | $197 | $62 |
Massage | $30 | $64 | $109 | $29 |
SIM card options | MTN, Vodacom | Orange, Movistar, Vodafone | AT&T, Verizon | A1, Telenor, Vivacom |
Tipping | 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere | Not customary or expected but small tips are appreciated. | 15-20% at restaurants, 1 USD per drink at bars | 10% in restaurants, 1-2 BGN at bars and cafรฉs |
Taxi apps | Uber, Bolt | Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now | Uber, Lyft | TaxiMe, TaxiStars |
Tap water | Not drinkable | Drinkable | 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 sautรฉed vegetables and dry-cured meats. Creamy desserts and liqueurs compliment large and flavorful meals. | Fresh, regional produce accentuated with garlic and olive oil and mixed with various meats and seafoods. Influenced both by Mediterranean and Middle-Eastern flavors. | American. Emphasis on comfort and fast food, with some good seafood dishes. Influence from other regions of the US, North America and the world make NYC a cosmopolitan and international cuisine hub that is incredibly diverse. | Vegetables and mild spices are often mixed with dairy products to create rich chicken and pork products. Seafood dishes also popular in some regions of the country, making them popular in the capital. |
Local food specialities | Bitlong and droewors, boerewors, Cape Malay curry, bobotie, melkert, gatsby, bunny chow | Paella, tapas, tortilla, gazpacho, pulpo a la gallega, callos a la madrileรฑa, churros | Pizza, clam chowder, bagels, corned beef, pastrami, cheesecake, hot dogs, and hundred of other international food options. | Kebapche, Bulgarian musaka, lyutenitsa, shkember chorba, kyufte, kavarma, banitsa and tarator |
Eat like a local | Cape Malay shacks, food trucks, street food joints, local grills, small bakeries and food markets | Have some tapas and sangria at a tasca and paella at an authentic eatery. Keep an eye on the time and visit a cafeteria for a mid-afternoon merienda and some churros! | Delis, local pizza shops, street food stalls and food trucks, food markets, local bakeries and smaller, authentic international cuisine restaurants | Taverns, local BBQ restaurants, local markets and smaller eateries in residential and university areas. |
Vegetarian / vegan options | 24 options on HappyCow | 85 listings on Happy Cow | 309 options on HappyCow | 20 options on HappyCow |