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Cape Town ๐ฟ๐ฆ
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Chiang Mai ๐น๐ญ
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Larnaca ๐จ๐พ
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Lisbon ๐ต๐น
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Madrid ๐ช๐ธ
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Mexico City ๐ฒ๐ฝ
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Sofia ๐ง๐ฌ
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| Population | 4,617,560 | 1,166,978 | 144,900 | 517,000 | 6,578,0179 | 8,850,000 | 1,270,169 |
| Official language(s) | Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English | Thai | Greek | Portuguese | Spanish | Spanish | Bulgarian |
| Level of English | Very high | Low | High | Very high | Moderate | Moderate | High |
| Main airport | Cape Town International Airport (CPT) | Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) | Larnaca International Airport (LCA) | Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) | Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) | Mexico City International Airport (MEX) | Sofia International Airport (SOF) |
| Most common months to visit | March - May, September - November | November - April | March - May, October - December | March - May, September, October | March - May, September - November | March - May, October, November | April-June, September-October |
| Currency | ZAR - South African Rand (R) | THB - Thai Baht (เธฟ) | EUR - Euro (โฌ) | EUR - Euro (โฌ) | EUR - Euro (โฌ) | MXN - Mexican Peso ($) | BGN - Bulgarian Lev (ะปะฒ) |
| Credit cards | Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops | Accepted sometimes. Cash preferred in many places. | Accepted everywhere | Accepted almost everywhere (less for AMEX) | Accepted everywhere | Widely accepted (less with AMEX) | Accepted everywhere |
| Remote worker visa | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Average monthly costs | $1549 | $974 | $1959 | $1984 | $2498 | $1867 | $1289 |
| Rent | $618 | $274 | $678 | $965 | $1174 | $778 | $567 |
| Groceries | $129 | $169 | $157 | $136 | $175 | $281 | $10 |
| Dining out | $269 | $108 | $261 | $271 | $313 | $182 | $227 |
| Cafe | $32 | $45 | $56 | $37 | $51 | $49 | $27 |
| Coworking space | $151 | $95 | $209 | $164 | $196 | $159 | $140 |
| Mobile internet | $27 | $11 | $35 | $24 | $10 | $25 | $10 |
| Public transportation | $55 | $60 | $63 | $63 | $78 | $11 | $30 |
| Taxis | $21 | $20 | $42 | $27 | $44 | $9 | $12 |
| Shared bicycles and scooters | $49 | $10 | $45 | $18 | $49 | $24 | $40 |
| Sport and cultural events | $19 | $8 | $28 | $29 | $54 | $81 | $18 |
| Museums and sights | $15 | $8 | $8 | $24 | $20 | $20 | $12 |
| Nightlife | $43 | $62 | $110 | $47 | $82 | $64 | $82 |
| Gym | $36 | $41 | $107 | $65 | $44 | $69 | $23 |
| Yoga | $56 | $55 | $105 | $65 | $142 | $65 | $62 |
| Massage | $30 | $10 | $54 | $50 | $64 | $51 | $29 |
| SIM card options | MTN, Vodacom | AIS, DTAC | Primetel, Cytamobile-Vodafone and Epic/MTN | Vodafone | Orange, Movistar, Vodafone | Telcel, Movistar | A1, Telenor, Vivacom |
| Tipping | 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere | 10% at restaurants, not customary or expected elsewhere | 10% usually added and expected at restaurants, round up at bars | 5-10% for restaurants, not common at bars | Not customary or expected but small tips are appreciated. | 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services | 10% in restaurants, 1-2 BGN at bars and cafรฉs |
| Taxi apps | Uber, Bolt | Grab | nTaxi | Uber, FreeNow | Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now | Uber | TaxiMe, TaxiStars |
| Tap water | Not drinkable | Not drinkable | Not drinkable | Drinkable | Drinkable | Not 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. | 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. | Mediterranean style with emphasis on seafood, meats, olives, cheesed and traditional sauces. Some food with Middle Eastern influences as well.. | Fresh seafood, meats, soup, sausages and famous pastries | Fresh, regional produce accentuated with garlic and olive oil and mixed with various meats and seafoods. Influenced both by Mediterranean and Middle-Eastern flavors. | Corn, beans, tortillas and chili peppers typically alongside meat and cheese | 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 | Khao soi, khan toke, sai oua, miang kham, nam prik, khanom jeen nam ngiaw, larb khua | Souvlaki, sheftalia, kleftiko, stifado, halloumi, koukepia and moussaka | Bacalhau ร bras, sardinhas, petiscos, leitรฃo, polvo ร lagareiro, pasteis de nata, bifana | Paella, tapas, tortilla, gazpacho, pulpo a la gallega, callos a la madrileรฑa, churros | Enchiladas, torta de chilaquiles, esquites, quesadillas, tlacoyos, tacos, tostadas | 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 | Street food stalls, local markets, bakeries and smaller, traditional restaurants that serve fresh food | Opt for smaller, outside eateries and taverns serving traditional foods. Fast food kebab shops and falafel bars offer authentic options, too. | Tascas, snack bars, seafood restaurants | 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! | Markets, food stalls, menรบ del dรญa (cheap set lunch menus) | Taverns, local BBQ restaurants, local markets and smaller eateries in residential and university areas. |
| Vegetarian / vegan options | 24 options on HappyCow | 90 options on HappyCow | 14 options on HappyCow, but non-meat Mediterranean/Middle Eastern options are always available | 401 listings on Happy Cow | 85 listings on Happy Cow | 279 listings on Happy Cow | 20 options on HappyCow |