Istanbul vs Medellin vs Mexico City vs Panama City vs Rio de Janeiro

Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Medellin 🇨🇴
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Mexico City 🇲🇽
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Panama City 🇵🇦
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Rio de Janeiro 🇧🇷
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Population 15,520,000 2,427,000 8,850,000 880,691 6,718,903
Official language(s) Turkish Spanish Spanish Spanish Portuguese
Level of English Low Low Moderate Low Low
Main airport Istanbul Airport (IST) José María Córdova International Airport (MDE) Mexico City International Airport (MEX) Tocumen International Airport (PTY) Galeão International Airport
Most common months to visit April - June, September and October January - April, December March - May, October, November December - April January - March, December
Currency TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) COP - Colombian Peso ($) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) PAB - Panamanian Balboa (B/.) BRL - Brazilian Real (R$)
Credit cards Accepted in most places Accepted in some places Widely accepted (less with AMEX) Accepted almost everywhere but not in smaller shops. Accepted everywhere
Remote worker visa No No Yes Yes No
Average monthly costs $659 $1293 $1867 $2359 $1833
Rent $354 $732 $778 $1036 $1066
Groceries $44 $87 $281 $236 $95
Dining out $81 $131 $182 $371 $210
Cafe $18 $18 $49 $43 $25
Coworking space $49 $96 $159 $157 $130
Mobile internet $3 $16 $25 $21 $7
Public transportation $6 $21 $11 $12 $33
Taxis $6 $14 $9 $48 $14
Shared bicycles and scooters $2 $0 $24 $0 $16
Sport and cultural events $11 $8 $81 $35 $55
Museums and sights $15 $9 $20 $9 $26
Nightlife $22 $73 $64 $117 $54
Gym $9 $15 $69 $37 $31
Yoga $23 $54 $65 $163 $40
Massage $15 $20 $51 $75 $32
SIM card options Turkcell, Turk Telekom Claro, Tigo Telcel, Movistar Claro, Movistar Tim, Claro, Vivo
Tipping Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars Tip 10% in restaurants 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services 10% in restaurants, round up elsewhere 10% usually included in restaurants, 10% at bars and cafes with table service is common
Taxi apps BiTaksi EasyTaxi Uber Uber, Tu Chofer Easy Taxi, 99 Taxi, Uber
Tap water 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 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 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. Emphasis on rice, beans, pork and beef with a variety of root vegetables and fresh fruits. Fresh seafood is also very common.
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 Sancocho de gallina, carimanola, empanadas, tamales panameños, tostones, ropa vieja Feijoada, bolinho de bacalhau, fried sardines, caldo verde, pao de queijo and brigadeiros.
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 día (cheap set lunch menus) Fondas (roadside stalls), smaller local restaurants, local markets, food trucks The "snack capital" of Brazil, Rio is a perfect place to try street food as well as the wide varieties of small, traditional eateries and churrascarias easily found across the city.
Vegetarian / vegan options 59 listings on Happy Cow 153 listings on Happy Cow 279 listings on Happy Cow 7 options on HappyCow 54 options on Happy Cow