Chiang Mai vs Lisbon vs Panama City vs Playa del Carmen

Chiang Mai ๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ญ
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Lisbon ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น
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Panama City ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฆ
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Playa del Carmen ๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ
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Population 1,166,978 517,000 880,691 259,453
Official language(s) Thai Portuguese Spanish Spanish
Level of English Low Very high Low Moderate
Main airport Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) Tocumen International Airport (PTY) Cancun International Airport (CUN)
Most common months to visit November - April March - May, September, October December - April January - May, October - December
Currency THB - Thai Baht (เธฟ) EUR - Euro (โ‚ฌ) PAB - Panamanian Balboa (B/.) MXN - Mexican Peso ($)
Credit cards Accepted sometimes. Cash preferred in many places. Accepted almost everywhere (less for AMEX) Accepted almost everywhere but not in smaller shops. Accepted almost everywhere
Remote worker visa No Yes Yes Yes
Average monthly costs $974 $1984 $2359 $2143
Rent $274 $965 $1036 $923
Groceries $169 $136 $236 $127
Dining out $108 $271 $371 $207
Cafe $45 $37 $43 $42
Coworking space $95 $164 $157 $160
Mobile internet $11 $24 $21 $21
Public transportation $60 $63 $12 $17
Taxis $20 $27 $48 $9
Shared bicycles and scooters $10 $18 $0 $49
Sport and cultural events $8 $29 $35 $97
Museums and sights $8 $24 $9 $217
Nightlife $62 $47 $117 $77
Gym $41 $65 $37 $42
Yoga $55 $65 $163 $54
Massage $10 $50 $75 $101
SIM card options AIS, DTAC Vodafone Claro, Movistar Telcel, Movistar
Tipping 10% at restaurants, not customary or expected elsewhere 5-10% for restaurants, not common at bars 10% in restaurants, round up elsewhere 10-15% for restaurants
Taxi apps Grab Uber, FreeNow Uber, Tu Chofer N/A
Tap water Not drinkable Drinkable Not 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. Fresh seafood, meats, soup, sausages and famous pastries 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
Local food specialities Khao soi, khan toke, sai oua, miang kham, nam prik, khanom jeen nam ngiaw, larb khua Bacalhau ร  bras, sardinhas, petiscos, leitรฃo, polvo ร  lagareiro, pasteis de nata, bifana Sancocho de gallina, carimanola, empanadas, tamales panameรฑos, tostones, ropa vieja Chilaquiles, tacos al pastor, chile rellenos, cochinita pibil, tostadas, pozole
Eat like a local Street food stalls, local markets, bakeries and smaller, traditional restaurants that serve fresh food Tascas, snack bars, seafood restaurants Fondas (roadside stalls), smaller local restaurants, local markets, food trucks Taco stands, esquite stalls, El Fogon, El Pirata, Dona Mary's
Vegetarian / vegan options 90 options on HappyCow 401 listings on Happy Cow 7 options on HappyCow 72 listings on Happy Cow