Chiang Mai vs Istanbul vs Panama City vs Playa del Carmen vs Valencia

Chiang Mai ๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ญ
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Istanbul ๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท
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Panama City ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฆ
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Playa del Carmen ๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ
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Valencia ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ
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Population 1,166,978 15,520,000 880,691 259,453 834,000
Official language(s) Thai Turkish Spanish Spanish Spanish, Valencian
Level of English Low Low Low Moderate Moderate
Main airport Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) Istanbul Airport (IST) Tocumen International Airport (PTY) Cancun International Airport (CUN) Valencia Manises Airport (VLC)
Most common months to visit November - April April - June, September and October December - April January - May, October - December March - June, September, October
Currency THB - Thai Baht (เธฟ) TRY - Turkish Lira (โ‚บ) PAB - Panamanian Balboa (B/.) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) EUR - Euro (โ‚ฌ)
Credit cards Accepted sometimes. Cash preferred in many places. Accepted in most places Accepted almost everywhere but not in smaller shops. Accepted almost everywhere Accepted almost everywhere
Remote worker visa No No Yes Yes Yes
Average monthly costs $974 $659 $2359 $2143 $1976
Rent $274 $354 $1036 $923 $869
Groceries $169 $44 $236 $127 $146
Dining out $108 $81 $371 $207 $292
Cafe $45 $18 $43 $42 $42
Coworking space $95 $49 $157 $160 $152
Mobile internet $11 $3 $21 $21 $16
Public transportation $60 $6 $12 $17 $38
Taxis $20 $6 $48 $9 $42
Shared bicycles and scooters $10 $2 $0 $49 $30
Sport and cultural events $8 $11 $35 $97 $73
Museums and sights $8 $15 $9 $217 $44
Nightlife $62 $22 $117 $77 $66
Gym $41 $9 $37 $42 $34
Yoga $55 $23 $163 $54 $87
Massage $10 $15 $75 $101 $45
SIM card options AIS, DTAC Turkcell, Turk Telekom Claro, Movistar Telcel, Movistar Vodafone, Orange
Tipping 10% at restaurants, not customary or expected elsewhere Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafรฉs and bars 10% in restaurants, round up elsewhere 10-15% for restaurants Round up for good service at restaurants, not common at bars
Taxi apps Grab BiTaksi Uber, Tu Chofer N/A Cabify, FreeNow
Tap water Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable 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 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 Mediterranean style using vegetables, seafoods and meats
Local food specialities Khao soi, khan toke, sai oua, miang kham, nam prik, khanom jeen nam ngiaw, larb khua Dรถner, ฤฐรงli Kรถfte, Dondurma, Karnฤฑyarฤฑk, Turkish delight Sancocho de gallina, carimanola, empanadas, tamales panameรฑos, tostones, ropa vieja Chilaquiles, tacos al pastor, chile rellenos, cochinita pibil, tostadas, pozole Paella, fideuร , esgarrat, orxata, bunyols
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 Fondas (roadside stalls), smaller local restaurants, local markets, food trucks Taco stands, esquite stalls, El Fogon, El Pirata, Dona Mary's Tapas bars, markets, menu del dia (cheap set lunches)
Vegetarian / vegan options 90 options on HappyCow 59 listings on Happy Cow 7 options on HappyCow 72 listings on Happy Cow 98 listings on Happy Cow