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Cape Town 🇿🇦
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Panama City 🇵🇦
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Playa del Carmen 🇲🇽
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Seoul 🇰🇷
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| Population | 4,617,560 | 880,691 | 259,453 | 9,963,452 |
| Official language(s) | Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English | Spanish | Spanish | Korean |
| Level of English | Very high | Low | Moderate | Moderate |
| Main airport | Cape Town International Airport (CPT) | Tocumen International Airport (PTY) | Cancun International Airport (CUN) | Incheon International Airport (ICN) |
| Most common months to visit | March - May, September - November | December - April | January - May, October - December | March - May, September - November |
| Currency | ZAR - South African Rand (R) | PAB - Panamanian Balboa (B/.) | MXN - Mexican Peso ($) | KRW - South Korean won (₩) |
| Credit cards | Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops | Accepted almost everywhere but not in smaller shops. | Accepted almost everywhere | Accepted everywhere |
| Remote worker visa | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| Average monthly costs | $1549 | $2359 | $2143 | $2184 |
| Rent | $618 | $1036 | $923 | $797 |
| Groceries | $129 | $236 | $127 | $356 |
| Dining out | $269 | $371 | $207 | $211 |
| Cafe | $32 | $43 | $42 | $69 |
| Coworking space | $151 | $157 | $160 | $222 |
| Mobile internet | $27 | $21 | $21 | $40 |
| Public transportation | $55 | $12 | $17 | $40 |
| Taxis | $21 | $48 | $9 | $41 |
| Shared bicycles and scooters | $49 | $0 | $49 | $13 |
| Sport and cultural events | $19 | $35 | $97 | $39 |
| Museums and sights | $15 | $9 | $217 | $6 |
| Nightlife | $43 | $117 | $77 | $93 |
| Gym | $36 | $37 | $42 | $69 |
| Yoga | $56 | $163 | $54 | $112 |
| Massage | $30 | $75 | $101 | $75 |
| SIM card options | MTN, Vodacom | Claro, Movistar | Telcel, Movistar | KT, SK Telecom, LG Uplus |
| Tipping | 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere | 10% in restaurants, round up elsewhere | 10-15% for restaurants | Not customary or expected |
| Taxi apps | Uber, Bolt | Uber, Tu Chofer | N/A | Uber, Kakao |
| Tap water | 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. | 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 | Sancocho de gallina, carimanola, empanadas, tamales panameños, 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 | 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 | 7 options on HappyCow | 72 listings on Happy Cow | 57 options on Happy Cow |