Buenos Aires vs Istanbul vs Medellin vs Playa del Carmen vs Porto vs Seoul

Buenos Aires 🇦🇷
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Medellin 🇨🇴
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Playa del Carmen 🇲🇽
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Porto 🇵🇹
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Seoul 🇰🇷
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Population 2,900,000 15,520,000 2,427,000 259,453 237,559 9,963,452
Official language(s) Spanish Turkish Spanish Spanish Portuguese Korean
Level of English High Low Low Moderate Very High Moderate
Main airport Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE) Istanbul Airport (IST) José María Córdova International Airport (MDE) Cancun International Airport (CUN) Francisco Sá Carneiro International Airport (OPO) Incheon International Airport (ICN)
Most common months to visit September - December April - June, September and October January - April, December January - May, October - December May - September March - May, September - November
Currency ARS - Argentine Peso ($) TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) COP - Colombian Peso ($) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) EUR - Euro (€) KRW - South Korean won (₩)
Credit cards Accepted everywhere. (ID required!) Accepted in most places Accepted in some places Accepted almost everywhere Accepted everywhere Accepted everywhere
Remote worker visa No No No Yes Yes No
Average monthly costs $1321 $659 $1293 $2143 $1759 $2184
Rent $844 $354 $732 $923 $717 $797
Groceries $98 $44 $87 $127 $148 $356
Dining out $121 $81 $131 $207 $280 $211
Cafe $25 $18 $18 $42 $45 $69
Coworking space $95 $49 $96 $160 $96 $222
Mobile internet $11 $3 $16 $21 $21 $40
Public transportation $9 $6 $21 $17 $95 $40
Taxis $9 $6 $14 $9 $25 $41
Shared bicycles and scooters $14 $2 $0 $49 $10 $13
Sport and cultural events $24 $11 $8 $97 $45 $39
Museums and sights $4 $15 $9 $217 $24 $6
Nightlife $23 $22 $73 $77 $66 $93
Gym $14 $9 $15 $42 $56 $69
Yoga $19 $23 $54 $54 $82 $112
Massage $10 $15 $20 $101 $48 $75
SIM card options Movistar, Claro, Personal Turkcell, Turk Telekom Claro, Tigo Telcel, Movistar Vodafone, MEO, NOS KT, SK Telecom, LG Uplus
Tipping 10% at restaurants and cafés is common, not common at bars Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars Tip 10% in restaurants 10-15% for restaurants 5-10% at restaurants if happy with service, not expected at cafes or bars Not customary or expected
Taxi apps Uber (not official), Cabify, BA Taxi (Spanish only) BiTaksi EasyTaxi N/A Uber, MyTaxi, Cabify Uber, Kakao
Tap water Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Drinkable Drinkable
Overall cuisine Argentinian style with an emphasis on red meats, pastries, and Italian-inspired options 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 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. Emphasis on rice, vegetables, spices and meats. Main dishes are coupled with diverse side dishes and desserts. Strong driking culture.
Local food specialities Asado, empanadas (Argentinian style), locro, milanesa napolitana, facturas and alfajores Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight Bandeja paisa, ajiaco, mondongo, empanada, and arepa 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 Kimchi, bulgogi, chap chae, mandu, sam gae tang, bossam
Eat like a local Local restaurants serving asados grill-to-dish (Parrillas), markets (San Telmo, Recoleta) and local cafés for maté and facturas Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee Street stalls for empanada and arepa with cheese, restaurants for traditional Colombian food Taco stands, esquite stalls, El Fogon, El Pirata, Dona Mary's Local taverns, terraces, markets, tascas, churrascarias and local sports bars Smaller, local eateries (sikdang), street stalls and local markets
Vegetarian / vegan options 79 options on Happy Cow 59 listings on Happy Cow 153 listings on Happy Cow 72 listings on Happy Cow 46 options on Happy Cow 57 options on Happy Cow