Chiang Mai vs Istanbul vs Mexico City vs Playa del Carmen vs Prague vs Sofia

Chiang Mai 🇹🇭
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Mexico City 🇲🇽
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Playa del Carmen 🇲🇽
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Prague 🇨🇿
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Sofia 🇧🇬
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Population 1,166,978 15,520,000 8,850,000 259,453 1,305,737 1,270,169
Official language(s) Thai Turkish Spanish Spanish Czech Bulgarian
Level of English Low Low Moderate Moderate High High
Main airport Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) Istanbul Airport (IST) Mexico City International Airport (MEX) Cancun International Airport (CUN) Václav Havel Airport Prague (PRG) Sofia International Airport (SOF)
Most common months to visit November - April April - June, September and October March - May, October, November January - May, October - December June - October April-June, September-October
Currency THB - Thai Baht (฿) TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) CZK - Czech Koruna (Kč) BGN - Bulgarian Lev (лв)
Credit cards Accepted sometimes. Cash preferred in many places. Accepted in most places Widely accepted (less with AMEX) Accepted almost everywhere Accepted most places (some places are cash only) Accepted everywhere
Remote worker visa No No Yes Yes Yes No
Average monthly costs $974 $659 $1867 $2143 $1806 $1289
Rent $274 $354 $778 $923 $780 $567
Groceries $169 $44 $281 $127 $158 $10
Dining out $108 $81 $182 $207 $240 $227
Cafe $45 $18 $49 $42 $53 $27
Coworking space $95 $49 $159 $160 $175 $140
Mobile internet $11 $3 $25 $21 $24 $10
Public transportation $60 $6 $11 $17 $61 $30
Taxis $20 $6 $9 $9 $33 $12
Shared bicycles and scooters $10 $2 $24 $49 $19 $40
Sport and cultural events $8 $11 $81 $97 $19 $18
Museums and sights $8 $15 $20 $217 $35 $12
Nightlife $62 $22 $64 $77 $50 $82
Gym $41 $9 $69 $42 $56 $23
Yoga $55 $23 $65 $54 $66 $62
Massage $10 $15 $51 $101 $37 $29
SIM card options AIS, DTAC Turkcell, Turk Telekom Telcel, Movistar Telcel, Movistar Vodafone, T-Mobile A1, Telenor, Vivacom
Tipping 10% at restaurants, not customary or expected elsewhere Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services 10-15% for restaurants 10% at restaurants and bars, round up elsewhere 10% in restaurants, 1-2 BGN at bars and cafés
Taxi apps Grab BiTaksi Uber N/A Uber, Liftago TaxiMe, TaxiStars
Tap water Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Drinkable Not drinkable
Overall cuisine Combines salty, sweet, spicy and sour flavors to create bold and colorful dishes. Meals typically include a mixture of meat and seafood dishes, as well as noodles or soups recipes. Strong emphasis on local spices and vegetables. A fusion of cultures creates diverse dishes with bulgur, koftes, stews, eggplants and fish Corn, beans, tortillas and chili peppers typically alongside meat and cheese Staple dishes from maize, beans, sweet potato and avocado along with meat, chili peppers and other spices Thick soups are often combined with stewed vegetables and baked meats to produce rich dishes. Gravies and creams are popular in Czech cuisine, as is beer! 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 Khao soi, khan toke, sai oua, miang kham, nam prik, khanom jeen nam ngiaw, larb khua Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight Enchiladas, torta de chilaquiles, esquites, quesadillas, tlacoyos, tacos, tostadas Chilaquiles, tacos al pastor, chile rellenos, cochinita pibil, tostadas, pozole Vepřo knedlo zelo, Česnečka, Guláš, Svíčková na smetaně, Ovocné Knedlíky. Kebapche, Bulgarian musaka, lyutenitsa, shkember chorba, kyufte, kavarma, banitsa and tarator
Eat like a local Street food stalls, local markets, bakeries and smaller, traditional restaurants that serve fresh food Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee Markets, food stalls, menú del día (cheap set lunch menus) Taco stands, esquite stalls, El Fogon, El Pirata, Dona Mary's Pubs and taverns, street food stalls, local cafés Taverns, local BBQ restaurants, local markets and smaller eateries in residential and university areas.
Vegetarian / vegan options 90 options on HappyCow 59 listings on Happy Cow 279 listings on Happy Cow 72 listings on Happy Cow 112 options on HappyCow 20 options on HappyCow