Istanbul vs Lisbon vs Mexico City vs Playa del Carmen vs Porto vs Valencia

Istanbul ๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท
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Lisbon ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น
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Mexico City ๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ
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Playa del Carmen ๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ
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Porto ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น
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Valencia ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ
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Population 15,520,000 517,000 8,850,000 259,453 237,559 834,000
Official language(s) Turkish Portuguese Spanish Spanish Portuguese Spanish, Valencian
Level of English Low Very high Moderate Moderate Very High Moderate
Main airport Istanbul Airport (IST) Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) Mexico City International Airport (MEX) Cancun International Airport (CUN) Francisco Sรก Carneiro International Airport (OPO) Valencia Manises Airport (VLC)
Most common months to visit April - June, September and October March - May, September, October March - May, October, November January - May, October - December May - September March - June, September, October
Currency TRY - Turkish Lira (โ‚บ) EUR - Euro (โ‚ฌ) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) EUR - Euro (โ‚ฌ) EUR - Euro (โ‚ฌ)
Credit cards Accepted in most places Accepted almost everywhere (less for AMEX) Widely accepted (less with AMEX) Accepted almost everywhere Accepted everywhere Accepted almost everywhere
Remote worker visa No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Average monthly costs $659 $1984 $1867 $2143 $1759 $1976
Rent $354 $965 $778 $923 $717 $869
Groceries $44 $136 $281 $127 $148 $146
Dining out $81 $271 $182 $207 $280 $292
Cafe $18 $37 $49 $42 $45 $42
Coworking space $49 $164 $159 $160 $96 $152
Mobile internet $3 $24 $25 $21 $21 $16
Public transportation $6 $63 $11 $17 $95 $38
Taxis $6 $27 $9 $9 $25 $42
Shared bicycles and scooters $2 $18 $24 $49 $10 $30
Sport and cultural events $11 $29 $81 $97 $45 $73
Museums and sights $15 $24 $20 $217 $24 $44
Nightlife $22 $47 $64 $77 $66 $66
Gym $9 $65 $69 $42 $56 $34
Yoga $23 $65 $65 $54 $82 $87
Massage $15 $50 $51 $101 $48 $45
SIM card options Turkcell, Turk Telekom Vodafone Telcel, Movistar Telcel, Movistar Vodafone, MEO, NOS Vodafone, Orange
Tipping Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafรฉs and bars 5-10% for restaurants, not common at bars 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services 10-15% for restaurants 5-10% at restaurants if happy with service, not expected at cafes or bars Round up for good service at restaurants, not common at bars
Taxi apps BiTaksi Uber, FreeNow Uber N/A Uber, MyTaxi, Cabify Cabify, FreeNow
Tap water Not drinkable Drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Drinkable Drinkable
Overall cuisine A fusion of cultures creates diverse dishes with bulgur, koftes, stews, eggplants and fish Fresh seafood, meats, soup, sausages and famous pastries Corn, beans, tortillas and chili peppers typically alongside meat and cheese Staple dishes from maize, beans, sweet potato and avocado along with meat, chili peppers and other spices A variety of meats often mixed with fresh legumes and vegetables. Emphasis on rich seafood dishes and creamy desserts. Mediterranean style using vegetables, seafoods and meats
Local food specialities Dรถner, ฤฐรงli Kรถfte, Dondurma, Karnฤฑyarฤฑk, Turkish delight Bacalhau ร  bras, sardinhas, petiscos, leitรฃo, polvo ร  lagareiro, pasteis de nata, bifana Enchiladas, torta de chilaquiles, esquites, quesadillas, tlacoyos, tacos, tostadas Chilaquiles, tacos al pastor, chile rellenos, cochinita pibil, tostadas, pozole Bacalhau, Alheira de Mirandela, Francesinha, queido da serra da estrela, tripas a moda do Oporto, pasteis de chaves, tarte de amendoa Paella, fideuร , esgarrat, orxata, bunyols
Eat like a local Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee Tascas, snack bars, seafood restaurants Markets, food stalls, menรบ del dรญa (cheap set lunch menus) Taco stands, esquite stalls, El Fogon, El Pirata, Dona Mary's Local taverns, terraces, markets, tascas, churrascarias and local sports bars Tapas bars, markets, menu del dia (cheap set lunches)
Vegetarian / vegan options 59 listings on Happy Cow 401 listings on Happy Cow 279 listings on Happy Cow 72 listings on Happy Cow 46 options on Happy Cow 98 listings on Happy Cow