Barcelona ๐ช๐ธ
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Istanbul ๐น๐ท
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Mexico City ๐ฒ๐ฝ
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Playa del Carmen ๐ฒ๐ฝ
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Rio de Janeiro ๐ง๐ท
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Sofia ๐ง๐ฌ
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Population | 5,585,556 | 15,520,000 | 8,850,000 | 259,453 | 6,718,903 | 1,270,169 |
Official language(s) | Catalan, Spanish | Turkish | Spanish | Spanish | Portuguese | Bulgarian |
Level of English | High | Low | Moderate | Moderate | Low | High |
Main airport | Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) | Istanbul Airport (IST) | Mexico City International Airport (MEX) | Cancun International Airport (CUN) | Galeรฃo International Airport | Sofia International Airport (SOF) |
Most common months to visit | April - June, September - November | April - June, September and October | March - May, October, November | January - May, October - December | January - March, December | April-June, September-October |
Currency | EUR - Euro (โฌ) | TRY - Turkish Lira (โบ) | MXN - Mexican Peso ($) | MXN - Mexican Peso ($) | BRL - Brazilian Real (R$) | BGN - Bulgarian Lev (ะปะฒ) |
Credit cards | Accepted almost evewhere | Accepted in most places | Widely accepted (less with AMEX) | Accepted almost everywhere | Accepted everywhere | Accepted everywhere |
Remote worker visa | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No | No |
Average monthly costs | $2384 | $659 | $1867 | $2143 | $1833 | $1289 |
Rent | $932 | $354 | $778 | $923 | $1066 | $567 |
Groceries | $121 | $44 | $281 | $127 | $95 | $10 |
Dining out | $403 | $81 | $182 | $207 | $210 | $227 |
Cafe | $45 | $18 | $49 | $42 | $25 | $27 |
Coworking space | $213 | $49 | $159 | $160 | $130 | $140 |
Mobile internet | $10 | $3 | $25 | $21 | $7 | $10 |
Public transportation | $127 | $6 | $11 | $17 | $33 | $30 |
Taxis | $48 | $6 | $9 | $9 | $14 | $12 |
Shared bicycles and scooters | $24 | $2 | $24 | $49 | $16 | $40 |
Sport and cultural events | $81 | $11 | $81 | $97 | $55 | $18 |
Museums and sights | $33 | $15 | $20 | $217 | $26 | $12 |
Nightlife | $112 | $22 | $64 | $77 | $54 | $82 |
Gym | $81 | $9 | $69 | $42 | $31 | $23 |
Yoga | $93 | $23 | $65 | $54 | $40 | $62 |
Massage | $59 | $15 | $51 | $101 | $32 | $29 |
SIM card options | Vodafone, Movistar | Turkcell, Turk Telekom | Telcel, Movistar | Telcel, Movistar | Tim, Claro, Vivo | A1, Telenor, Vivacom |
Tipping | 5-10% in restaurants if service is exceptional, not expected elsewhere | Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafรฉs and bars | 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services | 10-15% for restaurants | 10% usually included in restaurants, 10% at bars and cafes with table service is common | 10% in restaurants, 1-2 BGN at bars and cafรฉs |
Taxi apps | Cabify, FreeNow | BiTaksi | Uber | N/A | Easy Taxi, 99 Taxi, Uber | TaxiMe, TaxiStars |
Tap water | Drinkable | Not drinkable | Not drinkable | Not drinkable | Not drinkable | Not drinkable |
Overall cuisine | Catalan cuisine makes extensive use of Mediterranean vegetables, legumes mixed with pork in its many varieties, chicken and fish. Regularly mixes sweet and savory flavors in specific dishes. This cuisine is known for being bold in flavor and striking in color, with a variety of specific regional dishes found the culinary hub that is Barcelona. | A fusion of cultures creates diverse dishes with bulgur, koftes, stews, eggplants and fish | 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, beans, pork and beef with a variety of root vegetables and fresh fruits. Fresh seafood is also very common. | 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 | Paella, bombas, esqueixada, pa amb tomรกquet, escalivada, crema Catalana, gazpacho, chorizo | Dรถner, ฤฐรงli Kรถfte, Dondurma, Karnฤฑyarฤฑk, Turkish delight | Enchiladas, torta de chilaquiles, esquites, quesadillas, tlacoyos, tacos, tostadas | Chilaquiles, tacos al pastor, chile rellenos, cochinita pibil, tostadas, pozole | Feijoada, bolinho de bacalhau, fried sardines, caldo verde, pao de queijo and brigadeiros. | Kebapche, Bulgarian musaka, lyutenitsa, shkember chorba, kyufte, kavarma, banitsa and tarator |
Eat like a local | Taverns, tapas bars, local markets, bodegas and street food spots | Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee | Markets, food stalls, menรบ del dรญa (cheap set lunch menus) | Taco stands, esquite stalls, El Fogon, El Pirata, Dona Mary's | 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. | Taverns, local BBQ restaurants, local markets and smaller eateries in residential and university areas. |
Vegetarian / vegan options | 98 options on HappyCow | 59 listings on Happy Cow | 279 listings on Happy Cow | 72 listings on Happy Cow | 54 options on Happy Cow | 20 options on HappyCow |