Cape Town 🇿🇦
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Chiang Mai 🇹🇭
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Playa del Carmen 🇲🇽
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Prague 🇨🇿
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Seoul 🇰🇷
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Sofia 🇧🇬
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Population | 4,617,560 | 1,166,978 | 259,453 | 1,305,737 | 9,963,452 | 1,270,169 |
Official language(s) | Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English | Thai | Spanish | Czech | Korean | Bulgarian |
Level of English | Very high | Low | Moderate | High | Moderate | High |
Main airport | Cape Town International Airport (CPT) | Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) | Cancun International Airport (CUN) | Václav Havel Airport Prague (PRG) | Incheon International Airport (ICN) | Sofia International Airport (SOF) |
Most common months to visit | March - May, September - November | November - April | January - May, October - December | June - October | March - May, September - November | April-June, September-October |
Currency | ZAR - South African Rand (R) | THB - Thai Baht (฿) | MXN - Mexican Peso ($) | CZK - Czech Koruna (Kč) | KRW - South Korean won (₩) | BGN - Bulgarian Lev (лв) |
Credit cards | Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops | Accepted sometimes. Cash preferred in many places. | Accepted almost everywhere | Accepted most places (some places are cash only) | Accepted everywhere | Accepted everywhere |
Remote worker visa | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | No |
Average monthly costs | $1549 | $974 | $2143 | $1806 | $2184 | $1289 |
Rent | $618 | $274 | $923 | $780 | $797 | $567 |
Groceries | $129 | $169 | $127 | $158 | $356 | $10 |
Dining out | $269 | $108 | $207 | $240 | $211 | $227 |
Cafe | $32 | $45 | $42 | $53 | $69 | $27 |
Coworking space | $151 | $95 | $160 | $175 | $222 | $140 |
Mobile internet | $27 | $11 | $21 | $24 | $40 | $10 |
Public transportation | $55 | $60 | $17 | $61 | $40 | $30 |
Taxis | $21 | $20 | $9 | $33 | $41 | $12 |
Shared bicycles and scooters | $49 | $10 | $49 | $19 | $13 | $40 |
Sport and cultural events | $19 | $8 | $97 | $19 | $39 | $18 |
Museums and sights | $15 | $8 | $217 | $35 | $6 | $12 |
Nightlife | $43 | $62 | $77 | $50 | $93 | $82 |
Gym | $36 | $41 | $42 | $56 | $69 | $23 |
Yoga | $56 | $55 | $54 | $66 | $112 | $62 |
Massage | $30 | $10 | $101 | $37 | $75 | $29 |
SIM card options | MTN, Vodacom | AIS, DTAC | Telcel, Movistar | Vodafone, T-Mobile | KT, SK Telecom, LG Uplus | A1, Telenor, Vivacom |
Tipping | 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere | 10% at restaurants, not customary or expected elsewhere | 10-15% for restaurants | 10% at restaurants and bars, round up elsewhere | Not customary or expected | 10% in restaurants, 1-2 BGN at bars and cafés |
Taxi apps | Uber, Bolt | Grab | N/A | Uber, Liftago | Uber, Kakao | TaxiMe, TaxiStars |
Tap water | Not drinkable | Not drinkable | Not drinkable | Drinkable | 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 sautéed 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. | Staple dishes from maize, beans, sweet potato and avocado along with meat, chili peppers and other spices | Thick soups are often combined with stewed vegetables and baked meats to produce rich dishes. Gravies and creams are popular in Czech cuisine, as is beer! | Emphasis on rice, vegetables, spices and meats. Main dishes are coupled with diverse side dishes and desserts. Strong driking culture. | 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 | 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 | Chilaquiles, tacos al pastor, chile rellenos, cochinita pibil, tostadas, pozole | Vepřo knedlo zelo, Česnečka, Guláš, Svíčková na smetaně, Ovocné Knedlíky. | Kimchi, bulgogi, chap chae, mandu, sam gae tang, bossam | Kebapche, Bulgarian musaka, lyutenitsa, shkember chorba, kyufte, kavarma, banitsa and tarator |
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 | Taco stands, esquite stalls, El Fogon, El Pirata, Dona Mary's | Pubs and taverns, street food stalls, local cafés | Smaller, local eateries (sikdang), street stalls and local markets | Taverns, local BBQ restaurants, local markets and smaller eateries in residential and university areas. |
Vegetarian / vegan options | 24 options on HappyCow | 90 options on HappyCow | 72 listings on Happy Cow | 112 options on HappyCow | 57 options on Happy Cow | 20 options on HappyCow |