Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Medellin 🇨🇴
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Mexico City 🇲🇽
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Sofia 🇧🇬
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Tbilisi 🇬🇪
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Valencia 🇪🇸
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Population | 15,520,000 | 2,427,000 | 8,850,000 | 1,270,169 | 1,108,700 | 834,000 |
Official language(s) | Turkish | Spanish | Spanish | Bulgarian | Georgian | Spanish, Valencian |
Level of English | Low | Low | Moderate | High | Low | Moderate |
Main airport | Istanbul Airport (IST) | José MarÃa Córdova International Airport (MDE) | Mexico City International Airport (MEX) | Sofia International Airport (SOF) | Tbilisi International Airport (TBS) | Valencia Manises Airport (VLC) |
Most common months to visit | April - June, September and October | January - April, December | March - May, October, November | April-June, September-October | March - June | March - June, September, October |
Currency | TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) | COP - Colombian Peso ($) | MXN - Mexican Peso ($) | BGN - Bulgarian Lev (лв) | GEL - Georgian Lari (₾) | EUR - Euro (€) |
Credit cards | Accepted in most places | Accepted in some places | Widely accepted (less with AMEX) | Accepted everywhere | Accepted everywhere | Accepted almost everywhere |
Remote worker visa | No | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
Average monthly costs | $659 | $1293 | $1867 | $1289 | $1462 | $1976 |
Rent | $354 | $732 | $778 | $567 | $752 | $869 |
Groceries | $44 | $87 | $281 | $10 | $112 | $146 |
Dining out | $81 | $131 | $182 | $227 | $169 | $292 |
Cafe | $18 | $18 | $49 | $27 | $45 | $42 |
Coworking space | $49 | $96 | $159 | $140 | $125 | $152 |
Mobile internet | $3 | $16 | $25 | $10 | $4 | $16 |
Public transportation | $6 | $21 | $11 | $30 | $8 | $38 |
Taxis | $6 | $14 | $9 | $12 | $14 | $42 |
Shared bicycles and scooters | $2 | $0 | $24 | $40 | $27 | $30 |
Sport and cultural events | $11 | $8 | $81 | $18 | $21 | $73 |
Museums and sights | $15 | $9 | $20 | $12 | $9 | $44 |
Nightlife | $22 | $73 | $64 | $82 | $53 | $66 |
Gym | $9 | $15 | $69 | $23 | $33 | $34 |
Yoga | $23 | $54 | $65 | $62 | $37 | $87 |
Massage | $15 | $20 | $51 | $29 | $53 | $45 |
SIM card options | Turkcell, Turk Telekom | Claro, Tigo | Telcel, Movistar | A1, Telenor, Vivacom | Magti GSM, Geocell, Beeline | Vodafone, Orange |
Tipping | Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars | Tip 10% in restaurants | 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services | 10% in restaurants, 1-2 BGN at bars and cafés | 10% usually included in bill, not expected at bars or cafés. | Round up for good service at restaurants, not common at bars |
Taxi apps | BiTaksi | EasyTaxi | Uber | TaxiMe, TaxiStars | Yandex, Bolt | Cabify, FreeNow |
Tap water | Not drinkable | Not drinkable | Not drinkable | Not drinkable | Not drinkable | Drinkable |
Overall cuisine | A fusion of cultures creates diverse dishes with bulgur, koftes, stews, eggplants and fish | 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 | 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. | Cuisine of the Caucasus meets regional diversity in Georgia. Emphasis on spices and meats (poultry, beef, pork and mutton) as well as soups and creams. | Mediterranean style using vegetables, seafoods and meats |
Local food specialities | Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight | Bandeja paisa, ajiaco, mondongo, empanada, and arepa | Enchiladas, torta de chilaquiles, esquites, quesadillas, tlacoyos, tacos, tostadas | Kebapche, Bulgarian musaka, lyutenitsa, shkember chorba, kyufte, kavarma, banitsa and tarator | Kachapuri, kuchmachi, khinkali, chikhirtma, kharcho with gomi, jonjoli | Paella, fideuà , esgarrat, orxata, bunyols |
Eat like a local | Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee | Street stalls for empanada and arepa with cheese, restaurants for traditional Colombian food | Markets, food stalls, menú del dÃa (cheap set lunch menus) | Taverns, local BBQ restaurants, local markets and smaller eateries in residential and university areas. | Small local restaurants, open bars, terraces and wine bars | Tapas bars, markets, menu del dia (cheap set lunches) |
Vegetarian / vegan options | 59 listings on Happy Cow | 153 listings on Happy Cow | 279 listings on Happy Cow | 20 options on HappyCow | 10 options on Happy Cow | 98 listings on Happy Cow |