Istanbul vs Lviv vs Medellin vs Mexico City vs Playa del Carmen vs Seoul vs Sofia

Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Lviv 🇺🇦
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Medellin 🇨🇴
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Mexico City 🇲🇽
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Playa del Carmen 🇲🇽
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Seoul 🇰🇷
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Sofia 🇧🇬
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Population 15,520,000 731,387 2,427,000 8,850,000 259,453 9,963,452 1,270,169
Official language(s) Turkish Ukrainian Spanish Spanish Spanish Korean Bulgarian
Level of English Low Low Low Moderate Moderate Moderate High
Main airport Istanbul Airport (IST) Lviv Danylo Halytskyi International Airport (LWO) José María Córdova International Airport (MDE) Mexico City International Airport (MEX) Cancun International Airport (CUN) Incheon International Airport (ICN) Sofia International Airport (SOF)
Most common months to visit April - June, September and October May - September January - April, December March - May, October, November January - May, October - December March - May, September - November April-June, September-October
Currency TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) UAH - Ukrainian Hryvnia (₴) COP - Colombian Peso ($) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) KRW - South Korean won (₩) BGN - Bulgarian Lev (лв)
Credit cards Accepted in most places Accepted almost everywhere Accepted in some places Widely accepted (less with AMEX) Accepted almost everywhere Accepted everywhere Accepted everywhere
Remote worker visa No No No Yes Yes No No
Average monthly costs $659 $922 $1293 $1867 $2143 $2184 $1289
Rent $354 $400 $732 $778 $923 $797 $567
Groceries $44 $91 $87 $281 $127 $356 $10
Dining out $81 $151 $131 $182 $207 $211 $227
Cafe $18 $21 $18 $49 $42 $69 $27
Coworking space $49 $79 $96 $159 $160 $222 $140
Mobile internet $3 $4 $16 $25 $21 $40 $10
Public transportation $6 $5 $21 $11 $17 $40 $30
Taxis $6 $12 $14 $9 $9 $41 $12
Shared bicycles and scooters $2 $16 $0 $24 $49 $13 $40
Sport and cultural events $11 $13 $8 $81 $97 $39 $18
Museums and sights $15 $9 $9 $20 $217 $6 $12
Nightlife $22 $43 $73 $64 $77 $93 $82
Gym $9 $22 $15 $69 $42 $69 $23
Yoga $23 $30 $54 $65 $54 $112 $62
Massage $15 $27 $20 $51 $101 $75 $29
SIM card options Turkcell, Turk Telekom Vodafone, Kyivstar Claro, Tigo Telcel, Movistar Telcel, Movistar KT, SK Telecom, LG Uplus A1, Telenor, Vivacom
Tipping Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars 10% in restaurants, not expected elsewhere Tip 10% in restaurants 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services 10-15% for restaurants Not customary or expected 10% in restaurants, 1-2 BGN at bars and cafés
Taxi apps BiTaksi Uber, Uklon EasyTaxi Uber N/A Uber, Kakao TaxiMe, TaxiStars
Tap water Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Drinkable Not drinkable
Overall cuisine A fusion of cultures creates diverse dishes with bulgur, koftes, stews, eggplants and fish 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 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 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 Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight Lviv cheesecake, fish Zupa, Tsivikli, Karmanadli, Banosh, Borscht, Salo, Syrnyky Bandeja paisa, ajiaco, mondongo, empanada, and arepa Enchiladas, torta de chilaquiles, esquites, quesadillas, tlacoyos, tacos, tostadas Chilaquiles, tacos al pastor, chile rellenos, cochinita pibil, tostadas, pozole Kimchi, bulgogi, chap chae, mandu, sam gae tang, bossam 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 Local grills, themed taverns, local breweries, small bakeries Street stalls for empanada and arepa with cheese, restaurants for traditional Colombian food Markets, food stalls, menú del día (cheap set lunch menus) Taco stands, esquite stalls, El Fogon, El Pirata, Dona Mary's 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 59 listings on Happy Cow 9 options on HappyCow 153 listings on Happy Cow 279 listings on Happy Cow 72 listings on Happy Cow 57 options on Happy Cow 20 options on HappyCow