Chiang Mai ๐น๐ญ
|
Panama City ๐ต๐ฆ
|
Playa del Carmen ๐ฒ๐ฝ
|
Valencia ๐ช๐ธ
|
|
Population | 1,166,978 | 880,691 | 259,453 | 834,000 |
Official language(s) | Thai | Spanish | Spanish | Spanish, Valencian |
Level of English | Low | Low | Moderate | Moderate |
Main airport | Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) | Tocumen International Airport (PTY) | Cancun International Airport (CUN) | Valencia Manises Airport (VLC) |
Most common months to visit | November - April | December - April | January - May, October - December | March - June, September, October |
Currency | THB - Thai Baht (เธฟ) | PAB - Panamanian Balboa (B/.) | MXN - Mexican Peso ($) | EUR - Euro (โฌ) |
Credit cards | Accepted sometimes. Cash preferred in many places. | Accepted almost everywhere but not in smaller shops. | Accepted almost everywhere | Accepted almost everywhere |
Remote worker visa | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Average monthly costs | $974 | $2359 | $2143 | $1976 |
Rent | $274 | $1036 | $923 | $869 |
Groceries | $169 | $236 | $127 | $146 |
Dining out | $108 | $371 | $207 | $292 |
Cafe | $45 | $43 | $42 | $42 |
Coworking space | $95 | $157 | $160 | $152 |
Mobile internet | $11 | $21 | $21 | $16 |
Public transportation | $60 | $12 | $17 | $38 |
Taxis | $20 | $48 | $9 | $42 |
Shared bicycles and scooters | $10 | $0 | $49 | $30 |
Sport and cultural events | $8 | $35 | $97 | $73 |
Museums and sights | $8 | $9 | $217 | $44 |
Nightlife | $62 | $117 | $77 | $66 |
Gym | $41 | $37 | $42 | $34 |
Yoga | $55 | $163 | $54 | $87 |
Massage | $10 | $75 | $101 | $45 |
SIM card options | AIS, DTAC | Claro, Movistar | Telcel, Movistar | Vodafone, Orange |
Tipping | 10% at restaurants, not customary or expected elsewhere | 10% in restaurants, round up elsewhere | 10-15% for restaurants | Round up for good service at restaurants, not common at bars |
Taxi apps | Grab | Uber, Tu Chofer | N/A | Cabify, FreeNow |
Tap water | Not drinkable | Not drinkable | Not drinkable | 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. | 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 | Mediterranean style using vegetables, seafoods and meats |
Local food specialities | Khao soi, khan toke, sai oua, miang kham, nam prik, khanom jeen nam ngiaw, larb khua | Sancocho de gallina, carimanola, empanadas, tamales panameรฑos, tostones, ropa vieja | Chilaquiles, tacos al pastor, chile rellenos, cochinita pibil, tostadas, pozole | Paella, fideuร , esgarrat, orxata, bunyols |
Eat like a local | Street food stalls, local markets, bakeries and smaller, traditional restaurants that serve fresh food | Fondas (roadside stalls), smaller local restaurants, local markets, food trucks | Taco stands, esquite stalls, El Fogon, El Pirata, Dona Mary's | Tapas bars, markets, menu del dia (cheap set lunches) |
Vegetarian / vegan options | 90 options on HappyCow | 7 options on HappyCow | 72 listings on Happy Cow | 98 listings on Happy Cow |