Chiang Mai vs Istanbul vs Panama City vs Sofia

Chiang Mai ๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ญ
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Istanbul ๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท
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Panama City ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฆ
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Sofia ๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ฌ
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Population 1,166,978 15,520,000 880,691 1,270,169
Official language(s) Thai Turkish Spanish Bulgarian
Level of English Low Low Low High
Main airport Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) Istanbul Airport (IST) Tocumen International Airport (PTY) Sofia International Airport (SOF)
Most common months to visit November - April April - June, September and October December - April April-June, September-October
Currency THB - Thai Baht (เธฟ) TRY - Turkish Lira (โ‚บ) PAB - Panamanian Balboa (B/.) BGN - Bulgarian Lev (ะปะฒ)
Credit cards Accepted sometimes. Cash preferred in many places. Accepted in most places Accepted almost everywhere but not in smaller shops. Accepted everywhere
Remote worker visa No No Yes No
Average monthly costs $974 $659 $2359 $1289
Rent $274 $354 $1036 $567
Groceries $169 $44 $236 $10
Dining out $108 $81 $371 $227
Cafe $45 $18 $43 $27
Coworking space $95 $49 $157 $140
Mobile internet $11 $3 $21 $10
Public transportation $60 $6 $12 $30
Taxis $20 $6 $48 $12
Shared bicycles and scooters $10 $2 $0 $40
Sport and cultural events $8 $11 $35 $18
Museums and sights $8 $15 $9 $12
Nightlife $62 $22 $117 $82
Gym $41 $9 $37 $23
Yoga $55 $23 $163 $62
Massage $10 $15 $75 $29
SIM card options AIS, DTAC Turkcell, Turk Telekom Claro, Movistar A1, Telenor, Vivacom
Tipping 10% at restaurants, not customary or expected elsewhere Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafรฉs and bars 10% in restaurants, round up elsewhere 10% in restaurants, 1-2 BGN at bars and cafรฉs
Taxi apps Grab BiTaksi Uber, Tu Chofer TaxiMe, TaxiStars
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. A fusion of cultures creates diverse dishes with bulgur, koftes, stews, eggplants and fish 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. 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 Khao soi, khan toke, sai oua, miang kham, nam prik, khanom jeen nam ngiaw, larb khua Dรถner, ฤฐรงli Kรถfte, Dondurma, Karnฤฑyarฤฑk, Turkish delight Sancocho de gallina, carimanola, empanadas, tamales panameรฑos, tostones, ropa vieja Kebapche, Bulgarian musaka, lyutenitsa, shkember chorba, kyufte, kavarma, banitsa and tarator
Eat like a local Street food stalls, local markets, bakeries and smaller, traditional restaurants that serve fresh food Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee Fondas (roadside stalls), smaller local restaurants, local markets, food trucks Taverns, local BBQ restaurants, local markets and smaller eateries in residential and university areas.
Vegetarian / vegan options 90 options on HappyCow 59 listings on Happy Cow 7 options on HappyCow 20 options on HappyCow