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

Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Medellin 🇨🇴
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Panama City 🇵🇦
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Rio de Janeiro 🇧🇷
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Tbilisi 🇬🇪
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Population 15,520,000 2,427,000 880,691 6,718,903 1,108,700
Official language(s) Turkish Spanish Spanish Portuguese Georgian
Level of English Low Low Low Low Low
Main airport Istanbul Airport (IST) José María Córdova International Airport (MDE) Tocumen International Airport (PTY) Galeão International Airport Tbilisi International Airport (TBS)
Most common months to visit April - June, September and October January - April, December December - April January - March, December March - June
Currency TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) COP - Colombian Peso ($) PAB - Panamanian Balboa (B/.) BRL - Brazilian Real (R$) GEL - Georgian Lari (₾)
Credit cards Accepted in most places Accepted in some places Accepted almost everywhere but not in smaller shops. Accepted everywhere Accepted everywhere
Remote worker visa No No Yes No Yes
Average monthly costs $659 $1293 $2359 $1833 $1462
Rent $354 $732 $1036 $1066 $752
Groceries $44 $87 $236 $95 $112
Dining out $81 $131 $371 $210 $169
Cafe $18 $18 $43 $25 $45
Coworking space $49 $96 $157 $130 $125
Mobile internet $3 $16 $21 $7 $4
Public transportation $6 $21 $12 $33 $8
Taxis $6 $14 $48 $14 $14
Shared bicycles and scooters $2 $0 $0 $16 $27
Sport and cultural events $11 $8 $35 $55 $21
Museums and sights $15 $9 $9 $26 $9
Nightlife $22 $73 $117 $54 $53
Gym $9 $15 $37 $31 $33
Yoga $23 $54 $163 $40 $37
Massage $15 $20 $75 $32 $53
SIM card options Turkcell, Turk Telekom Claro, Tigo Claro, Movistar Tim, Claro, Vivo Magti GSM, Geocell, Beeline
Tipping Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars Tip 10% in restaurants 10% in restaurants, round up elsewhere 10% usually included in restaurants, 10% at bars and cafes with table service is common 10% usually included in bill, not expected at bars or cafés.
Taxi apps BiTaksi EasyTaxi Uber, Tu Chofer Easy Taxi, 99 Taxi, Uber Yandex, Bolt
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 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. 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.
Local food specialities Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight Bandeja paisa, ajiaco, mondongo, empanada, and arepa Sancocho de gallina, carimanola, empanadas, tamales panameños, tostones, ropa vieja Feijoada, bolinho de bacalhau, fried sardines, caldo verde, pao de queijo and brigadeiros. Kachapuri, kuchmachi, khinkali, chikhirtma, kharcho with gomi, jonjoli
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 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. Small local restaurants, open bars, terraces and wine bars
Vegetarian / vegan options 59 listings on Happy Cow 153 listings on Happy Cow 7 options on HappyCow 54 options on Happy Cow 10 options on Happy Cow