Cape Town ๐ฟ๐ฆ
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Hanoi ๐ป๐ณ
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Playa del Carmen ๐ฒ๐ฝ
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Sofia ๐ง๐ฌ
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Valencia ๐ช๐ธ
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Population | 4,617,560 | 8,053,663 | 259,453 | 1,270,169 | 834,000 |
Official language(s) | Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English | Vietnamese | Spanish | Bulgarian | Spanish, Valencian |
Level of English | Very high | Moderate | Moderate | High | Moderate |
Main airport | Cape Town International Airport (CPT) | Nแปi Bร i International Airport (HAN) | Cancun International Airport (CUN) | Sofia International Airport (SOF) | Valencia Manises Airport (VLC) |
Most common months to visit | March - May, September - November | January, February, October - December | January - May, October - December | April-June, September-October | March - June, September, October |
Currency | ZAR - South African Rand (R) | VND - Vietnamese Dong (โซ) | MXN - Mexican Peso ($) | BGN - Bulgarian Lev (ะปะฒ) | EUR - Euro (โฌ) |
Credit cards | Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops | Accepted in some places. Cash often preferred. | Accepted almost everywhere | Accepted everywhere | Accepted almost everywhere |
Remote worker visa | No | No | Yes | No | Yes |
Average monthly costs | $1549 | $1167 | $2143 | $1289 | $1976 |
Rent | $618 | $503 | $923 | $567 | $869 |
Groceries | $129 | $151 | $127 | $10 | $146 |
Dining out | $269 | $134 | $207 | $227 | $292 |
Cafe | $32 | $39 | $42 | $27 | $42 |
Coworking space | $151 | $72 | $160 | $140 | $152 |
Mobile internet | $27 | $4 | $21 | $10 | $16 |
Public transportation | $55 | $20 | $17 | $30 | $38 |
Taxis | $21 | $13 | $9 | $12 | $42 |
Shared bicycles and scooters | $49 | $0 | $49 | $40 | $30 |
Sport and cultural events | $19 | $3 | $97 | $18 | $73 |
Museums and sights | $15 | $4 | $217 | $12 | $44 |
Nightlife | $43 | $89 | $77 | $82 | $66 |
Gym | $36 | $57 | $42 | $23 | $34 |
Yoga | $56 | $57 | $54 | $62 | $87 |
Massage | $30 | $21 | $101 | $29 | $45 |
SIM card options | MTN, Vodacom | Viettel, Mobifone | Telcel, Movistar | A1, Telenor, Vivacom | Vodafone, Orange |
Tipping | 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere | Not required but appreciated, especially in taxis, restaurants and bars. Round up or add 10%. | 10-15% for restaurants | 10% in restaurants, 1-2 BGN at bars and cafรฉs | Round up for good service at restaurants, not common at bars |
Taxi apps | Uber, Bolt | Grab, GoViet | N/A | TaxiMe, TaxiStars | 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 sautรฉed vegetables and dry-cured meats. Creamy desserts and liqueurs compliment large and flavorful meals. | A mix of French, Southeast Asian and Chinese with lots of fresh herbs and spices. Northern Vietnam cuisine includes a lot of fish and noodles. | Staple dishes from maize, beans, sweet potato and avocado along with meat, chili peppers and other spices | 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. | Mediterranean style using vegetables, seafoods and meats |
Local food specialities | Bitlong and droewors, boerewors, Cape Malay curry, bobotie, melkert, gatsby, bunny chow | Pho, cha ca, Vietnamese coffee, pastries and breads | Chilaquiles, tacos al pastor, chile rellenos, cochinita pibil, tostadas, pozole | Kebapche, Bulgarian musaka, lyutenitsa, shkember chorba, kyufte, kavarma, banitsa and tarator | Paella, fideuร , esgarrat, orxata, bunyols |
Eat like a local | Cape Malay shacks, food trucks, street food joints, local grills, small bakeries and food markets | Noodle Houses, Bakeries, Coffee and Tea Houses, street food | Taco stands, esquite stalls, El Fogon, El Pirata, Dona Mary's | Taverns, local BBQ restaurants, local markets and smaller eateries in residential and university areas. | Tapas bars, markets, menu del dia (cheap set lunches) |
Vegetarian / vegan options | 24 options on HappyCow | 104 listings on Happy Cow | 72 listings on Happy Cow | 20 options on HappyCow | 98 listings on Happy Cow |