Cape Town ๐ฟ๐ฆ
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Chiang Mai ๐น๐ญ
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Lviv ๐บ๐ฆ
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Madrid ๐ช๐ธ
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Porto ๐ต๐น
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Population | 4,617,560 | 1,166,978 | 731,387 | 6,578,0179 | 237,559 |
Official language(s) | Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English | Thai | Ukrainian | Spanish | Portuguese |
Level of English | Very high | Low | Low | Moderate | Very High |
Main airport | Cape Town International Airport (CPT) | Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) | Lviv Danylo Halytskyi International Airport (LWO) | Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) | Francisco Sรก Carneiro International Airport (OPO) |
Most common months to visit | March - May, September - November | November - April | May - September | March - May, September - November | May - September |
Currency | ZAR - South African Rand (R) | THB - Thai Baht (เธฟ) | UAH - Ukrainian Hryvnia (โด) | EUR - Euro (โฌ) | EUR - Euro (โฌ) |
Credit cards | Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops | Accepted sometimes. Cash preferred in many places. | Accepted almost everywhere | Accepted everywhere | Accepted everywhere |
Remote worker visa | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
Average monthly costs | $1549 | $974 | $922 | $2498 | $1759 |
Rent | $618 | $274 | $400 | $1174 | $717 |
Groceries | $129 | $169 | $91 | $175 | $148 |
Dining out | $269 | $108 | $151 | $313 | $280 |
Cafe | $32 | $45 | $21 | $51 | $45 |
Coworking space | $151 | $95 | $79 | $196 | $96 |
Mobile internet | $27 | $11 | $4 | $10 | $21 |
Public transportation | $55 | $60 | $5 | $78 | $95 |
Taxis | $21 | $20 | $12 | $44 | $25 |
Shared bicycles and scooters | $49 | $10 | $16 | $49 | $10 |
Sport and cultural events | $19 | $8 | $13 | $54 | $45 |
Museums and sights | $15 | $8 | $9 | $20 | $24 |
Nightlife | $43 | $62 | $43 | $82 | $66 |
Gym | $36 | $41 | $22 | $44 | $56 |
Yoga | $56 | $55 | $30 | $142 | $82 |
Massage | $30 | $10 | $27 | $64 | $48 |
SIM card options | MTN, Vodacom | AIS, DTAC | Vodafone, Kyivstar | Orange, Movistar, Vodafone | Vodafone, MEO, NOS |
Tipping | 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere | 10% at restaurants, not customary or expected elsewhere | 10% in restaurants, not expected elsewhere | Not customary or expected but small tips are appreciated. | 5-10% at restaurants if happy with service, not expected at cafes or bars |
Taxi apps | Uber, Bolt | Grab | Uber, Uklon | Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now | Uber, MyTaxi, Cabify |
Tap water | Not drinkable | Not drinkable | Not drinkable | Drinkable | 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. | 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). | Fresh, regional produce accentuated with garlic and olive oil and mixed with various meats and seafoods. Influenced both by Mediterranean and Middle-Eastern flavors. | A variety of meats often mixed with fresh legumes and vegetables. Emphasis on rich seafood dishes and creamy desserts. |
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 | Lviv cheesecake, fish Zupa, Tsivikli, Karmanadli, Banosh, Borscht, Salo, Syrnyky | Paella, tapas, tortilla, gazpacho, pulpo a la gallega, callos a la madrileรฑa, churros | Bacalhau, Alheira de Mirandela, Francesinha, queido da serra da estrela, tripas a moda do Oporto, pasteis de chaves, tarte de amendoa |
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 | Local grills, themed taverns, local breweries, small bakeries | 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! | Local taverns, terraces, markets, tascas, churrascarias and local sports bars |
Vegetarian / vegan options | 24 options on HappyCow | 90 options on HappyCow | 9 options on HappyCow | 85 listings on Happy Cow | 46 options on Happy Cow |