Istanbul vs Medellin vs Mexico City vs Playa del Carmen vs Sofia vs Ubud

Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Medellin 🇨🇴
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Mexico City 🇲🇽
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Playa del Carmen 🇲🇽
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Sofia 🇧🇬
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Ubud 🇮🇩
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Population 15,520,000 2,427,000 8,850,000 259,453 1,270,169 112,490
Official language(s) Turkish Spanish Spanish Spanish Bulgarian Indonesian and Balinese
Level of English Low Low Moderate Moderate High Low
Main airport Istanbul Airport (IST) José María Córdova International Airport (MDE) Mexico City International Airport (MEX) Cancun International Airport (CUN) Sofia International Airport (SOF) Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPA)
Most common months to visit April - June, September and October January - April, December March - May, October, November January - May, October - December April-June, September-October May - October
Currency TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) COP - Colombian Peso ($) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) BGN - Bulgarian Lev (лв) IDR - Indonesian Rupiah (Rp)
Credit cards Accepted in most places Accepted in some places Widely accepted (less with AMEX) Accepted almost everywhere Accepted everywhere Accepted in some places
Remote worker visa No No Yes Yes No Yes
Average monthly costs $659 $1293 $1867 $2143 $1289 $1363
Rent $354 $732 $778 $923 $567 $658
Groceries $44 $87 $281 $127 $10 $150
Dining out $81 $131 $182 $207 $227 $10
Cafe $18 $18 $49 $42 $27 $28
Coworking space $49 $96 $159 $160 $140 $106
Mobile internet $3 $16 $25 $21 $10 $3
Public transportation $6 $21 $11 $17 $30 $53
Taxis $6 $14 $9 $9 $12 $13
Shared bicycles and scooters $2 $0 $24 $49 $40 $33
Sport and cultural events $11 $8 $81 $97 $18 $14
Museums and sights $15 $9 $20 $217 $12 $9
Nightlife $22 $73 $64 $77 $82 $118
Gym $9 $15 $69 $42 $23 $72
Yoga $23 $54 $65 $54 $62 $87
Massage $15 $20 $51 $101 $29 $10
SIM card options Turkcell, Turk Telekom Claro, Tigo Telcel, Movistar Telcel, Movistar A1, Telenor, Vivacom Telkomsel, XL Axiata
Tipping Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars Tip 10% in restaurants 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services 10-15% for restaurants 10% in restaurants, 1-2 BGN at bars and cafés Tip 5 - 10% in restaurants if service charge is not included in the bill
Taxi apps BiTaksi EasyTaxi Uber N/A TaxiMe, TaxiStars Grab, GoJek
Tap water Not drinkable 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 Staple dishes from maize, beans, sweet potato and avocado along with meat, chili peppers and other spices 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. Balinese foods revolve on the complex flavors from certain ingredients like fresh vegetables, meat, coconut milk, and time-tested spices mixture.
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 Chilaquiles, tacos al pastor, chile rellenos, cochinita pibil, tostadas, pozole Kebapche, Bulgarian musaka, lyutenitsa, shkember chorba, kyufte, kavarma, banitsa and tarator Satay, nasi goreng, gado-gado, martabak, bubur sumsum
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) Taco stands, esquite stalls, El Fogon, El Pirata, Dona Mary's Taverns, local BBQ restaurants, local markets and smaller eateries in residential and university areas. Warung for authentic babi guling and bebek betutu, cafes for kopi luwak, street stalls for pisang goreng, nasi campur, and sate lilit
Vegetarian / vegan options 59 listings on Happy Cow 153 listings on Happy Cow 279 listings on Happy Cow 72 listings on Happy Cow 20 options on HappyCow 255 listings on Happy Cow