Chiang Mai vs Mexico City vs Panama City vs Rio de Janeiro

Chiang Mai ๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ญ
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Mexico City ๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ
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Panama City ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฆ
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Rio de Janeiro ๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ท
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Population 1,166,978 8,850,000 880,691 6,718,903
Official language(s) Thai Spanish Spanish Portuguese
Level of English Low Moderate Low Low
Main airport Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) Mexico City International Airport (MEX) Tocumen International Airport (PTY) Galeรฃo International Airport
Most common months to visit November - April March - May, October, November December - April January - March, December
Currency THB - Thai Baht (เธฟ) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) PAB - Panamanian Balboa (B/.) BRL - Brazilian Real (R$)
Credit cards Accepted sometimes. Cash preferred in many places. Widely accepted (less with AMEX) Accepted almost everywhere but not in smaller shops. Accepted everywhere
Remote worker visa No Yes Yes No
Average monthly costs $974 $1867 $2359 $1833
Rent $274 $778 $1036 $1066
Groceries $169 $281 $236 $95
Dining out $108 $182 $371 $210
Cafe $45 $49 $43 $25
Coworking space $95 $159 $157 $130
Mobile internet $11 $25 $21 $7
Public transportation $60 $11 $12 $33
Taxis $20 $9 $48 $14
Shared bicycles and scooters $10 $24 $0 $16
Sport and cultural events $8 $81 $35 $55
Museums and sights $8 $20 $9 $26
Nightlife $62 $64 $117 $54
Gym $41 $69 $37 $31
Yoga $55 $65 $163 $40
Massage $10 $51 $75 $32
SIM card options AIS, DTAC Telcel, Movistar Claro, Movistar Tim, Claro, Vivo
Tipping 10% at restaurants, not customary or expected elsewhere 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services 10% in restaurants, round up elsewhere 10% usually included in restaurants, 10% at bars and cafes with table service is common
Taxi apps Grab Uber Uber, Tu Chofer Easy Taxi, 99 Taxi, Uber
Tap water Not drinkable Not 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. Corn, beans, tortillas and chili peppers typically alongside meat and cheese 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. Emphasis on rice, beans, pork and beef with a variety of root vegetables and fresh fruits. Fresh seafood is also very common.
Local food specialities Khao soi, khan toke, sai oua, miang kham, nam prik, khanom jeen nam ngiaw, larb khua Enchiladas, torta de chilaquiles, esquites, quesadillas, tlacoyos, tacos, tostadas Sancocho de gallina, carimanola, empanadas, tamales panameรฑos, tostones, ropa vieja Feijoada, bolinho de bacalhau, fried sardines, caldo verde, pao de queijo and brigadeiros.
Eat like a local Street food stalls, local markets, bakeries and smaller, traditional restaurants that serve fresh food Markets, food stalls, menรบ del dรญa (cheap set lunch menus) Fondas (roadside stalls), smaller local restaurants, local markets, food trucks The "snack capital" of Brazil, Rio is a perfect place to try street food as well as the wide varieties of small, traditional eateries and churrascarias easily found across the city.
Vegetarian / vegan options 90 options on HappyCow 279 listings on Happy Cow 7 options on HappyCow 54 options on Happy Cow