Istanbul vs Larnaca vs Lviv vs Medellin vs Panama City vs Sofia

Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Larnaca 🇨🇾
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Lviv 🇺🇦
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Medellin 🇨🇴
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Panama City 🇵🇦
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Sofia 🇧🇬
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Population 15,520,000 144,900 731,387 2,427,000 880,691 1,270,169
Official language(s) Turkish Greek Ukrainian Spanish Spanish Bulgarian
Level of English Low High Low Low Low High
Main airport Istanbul Airport (IST) Larnaca International Airport (LCA) Lviv Danylo Halytskyi International Airport (LWO) José María Córdova International Airport (MDE) Tocumen International Airport (PTY) Sofia International Airport (SOF)
Most common months to visit April - June, September and October March - May, October - December May - September January - April, December December - April April-June, September-October
Currency TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) EUR - Euro (€) UAH - Ukrainian Hryvnia (₴) COP - Colombian Peso ($) PAB - Panamanian Balboa (B/.) BGN - Bulgarian Lev (лв)
Credit cards Accepted in most places Accepted everywhere Accepted almost everywhere Accepted in some places Accepted almost everywhere but not in smaller shops. Accepted everywhere
Remote worker visa No No No No Yes No
Average monthly costs $659 $1959 $922 $1293 $2359 $1289
Rent $354 $678 $400 $732 $1036 $567
Groceries $44 $157 $91 $87 $236 $10
Dining out $81 $261 $151 $131 $371 $227
Cafe $18 $56 $21 $18 $43 $27
Coworking space $49 $209 $79 $96 $157 $140
Mobile internet $3 $35 $4 $16 $21 $10
Public transportation $6 $63 $5 $21 $12 $30
Taxis $6 $42 $12 $14 $48 $12
Shared bicycles and scooters $2 $45 $16 $0 $0 $40
Sport and cultural events $11 $28 $13 $8 $35 $18
Museums and sights $15 $8 $9 $9 $9 $12
Nightlife $22 $110 $43 $73 $117 $82
Gym $9 $107 $22 $15 $37 $23
Yoga $23 $105 $30 $54 $163 $62
Massage $15 $54 $27 $20 $75 $29
SIM card options Turkcell, Turk Telekom Primetel, Cytamobile-Vodafone and Epic/MTN Vodafone, Kyivstar Claro, Tigo Claro, Movistar A1, Telenor, Vivacom
Tipping Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars 10% usually added and expected at restaurants, round up at bars 10% in restaurants, not expected elsewhere Tip 10% in restaurants 10% in restaurants, round up elsewhere 10% in restaurants, 1-2 BGN at bars and cafés
Taxi apps BiTaksi nTaxi Uber, Uklon EasyTaxi Uber, Tu Chofer TaxiMe, TaxiStars
Tap water Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable
Overall cuisine A fusion of cultures creates diverse dishes with bulgur, koftes, stews, eggplants and fish Mediterranean style with emphasis on seafood, meats, olives, cheesed and traditional sauces. Some food with Middle Eastern influences as well.. 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). A blend of indigenous and European traditions with rice, maize, cassava, assorted legumes, and meats 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 Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight Souvlaki, sheftalia, kleftiko, stifado, halloumi, koukepia and moussaka Lviv cheesecake, fish Zupa, Tsivikli, Karmanadli, Banosh, Borscht, Salo, Syrnyky Bandeja paisa, ajiaco, mondongo, empanada, and arepa Sancocho de gallina, carimanola, empanadas, tamales panameños, tostones, ropa vieja Kebapche, Bulgarian musaka, lyutenitsa, shkember chorba, kyufte, kavarma, banitsa and tarator
Eat like a local Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee Opt for smaller, outside eateries and taverns serving traditional foods. Fast food kebab shops and falafel bars offer authentic options, too. Local grills, themed taverns, local breweries, small bakeries Street stalls for empanada and arepa with cheese, restaurants for traditional Colombian food 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 59 listings on Happy Cow 14 options on HappyCow, but non-meat Mediterranean/Middle Eastern options are always available 9 options on HappyCow 153 listings on Happy Cow 7 options on HappyCow 20 options on HappyCow