Cape Town ๐ฟ๐ฆ
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Chiang Mai ๐น๐ญ
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Larnaca ๐จ๐พ
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Lviv ๐บ๐ฆ
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Medellin ๐จ๐ด
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Population | 4,617,560 | 1,166,978 | 144,900 | 731,387 | 2,427,000 |
Official language(s) | Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English | Thai | Greek | Ukrainian | Spanish |
Level of English | Very high | Low | High | Low | Low |
Main airport | Cape Town International Airport (CPT) | Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) | Larnaca International Airport (LCA) | Lviv Danylo Halytskyi International Airport (LWO) | Josรฉ Marรญa Cรณrdova International Airport (MDE) |
Most common months to visit | March - May, September - November | November - April | March - May, October - December | May - September | January - April, December |
Currency | ZAR - South African Rand (R) | THB - Thai Baht (เธฟ) | EUR - Euro (โฌ) | UAH - Ukrainian Hryvnia (โด) | COP - Colombian Peso ($) |
Credit cards | Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops | Accepted sometimes. Cash preferred in many places. | Accepted everywhere | Accepted almost everywhere | Accepted in some places |
Remote worker visa | No | No | No | No | No |
Average monthly costs | $1549 | $974 | $1959 | $922 | $1293 |
Rent | $618 | $274 | $678 | $400 | $732 |
Groceries | $129 | $169 | $157 | $91 | $87 |
Dining out | $269 | $108 | $261 | $151 | $131 |
Cafe | $32 | $45 | $56 | $21 | $18 |
Coworking space | $151 | $95 | $209 | $79 | $96 |
Mobile internet | $27 | $11 | $35 | $4 | $16 |
Public transportation | $55 | $60 | $63 | $5 | $21 |
Taxis | $21 | $20 | $42 | $12 | $14 |
Shared bicycles and scooters | $49 | $10 | $45 | $16 | $0 |
Sport and cultural events | $19 | $8 | $28 | $13 | $8 |
Museums and sights | $15 | $8 | $8 | $9 | $9 |
Nightlife | $43 | $62 | $110 | $43 | $73 |
Gym | $36 | $41 | $107 | $22 | $15 |
Yoga | $56 | $55 | $105 | $30 | $54 |
Massage | $30 | $10 | $54 | $27 | $20 |
SIM card options | MTN, Vodacom | AIS, DTAC | Primetel, Cytamobile-Vodafone and Epic/MTN | Vodafone, Kyivstar | Claro, Tigo |
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 | 10% in restaurants, not expected elsewhere | Tip 10% in restaurants |
Taxi apps | Uber, Bolt | Grab | nTaxi | Uber, Uklon | EasyTaxi |
Tap water | Not drinkable | Not drinkable | Not 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.. | Slavic. Emphasis on frilled meats combined with potatoes, carrots, pickles and cabbage. Creamy deserts often elaborated with cottage cheese. Lviv enjoys culinary influences from Kiev (traditional with an emphasis on chicken) and Odessa (various seafood dishes). | A blend of indigenous and European traditions with rice, maize, cassava, assorted legumes, and meats |
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 | Lviv cheesecake, fish Zupa, Tsivikli, Karmanadli, Banosh, Borscht, Salo, Syrnyky | Bandeja paisa, ajiaco, mondongo, empanada, and arepa |
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. | Local grills, themed taverns, local breweries, small bakeries | Street stalls for empanada and arepa with cheese, restaurants for traditional Colombian food |
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 | 9 options on HappyCow | 153 listings on Happy Cow |