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

Istanbul ๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท
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Mexico City ๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ
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Panama City ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฆ
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Playa del Carmen ๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ
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Sofia ๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ฌ
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Ubud ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ
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Population 15,520,000 8,850,000 880,691 259,453 1,270,169 112,490
Official language(s) Turkish Spanish Spanish Spanish Bulgarian Indonesian and Balinese
Level of English Low Moderate Low Moderate High Low
Main airport Istanbul Airport (IST) Mexico City International Airport (MEX) Tocumen International Airport (PTY) Cancun International Airport (CUN) Sofia International Airport (SOF) Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPA)
Most common months to visit April - June, September and October March - May, October, November December - April January - May, October - December April-June, September-October May - October
Currency TRY - Turkish Lira (โ‚บ) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) PAB - Panamanian Balboa (B/.) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) BGN - Bulgarian Lev (ะปะฒ) IDR - Indonesian Rupiah (Rp)
Credit cards Accepted in most places Widely accepted (less with AMEX) Accepted almost everywhere but not in smaller shops. Accepted almost everywhere Accepted everywhere Accepted in some places
Remote worker visa No Yes Yes Yes No Yes
Average monthly costs $659 $1867 $2359 $2143 $1289 $1363
Rent $354 $778 $1036 $923 $567 $658
Groceries $44 $281 $236 $127 $10 $150
Dining out $81 $182 $371 $207 $227 $10
Cafe $18 $49 $43 $42 $27 $28
Coworking space $49 $159 $157 $160 $140 $106
Mobile internet $3 $25 $21 $21 $10 $3
Public transportation $6 $11 $12 $17 $30 $53
Taxis $6 $9 $48 $9 $12 $13
Shared bicycles and scooters $2 $24 $0 $49 $40 $33
Sport and cultural events $11 $81 $35 $97 $18 $14
Museums and sights $15 $20 $9 $217 $12 $9
Nightlife $22 $64 $117 $77 $82 $118
Gym $9 $69 $37 $42 $23 $72
Yoga $23 $65 $163 $54 $62 $87
Massage $15 $51 $75 $101 $29 $10
SIM card options Turkcell, Turk Telekom Telcel, Movistar Claro, Movistar Telcel, Movistar A1, Telenor, Vivacom Telkomsel, XL Axiata
Tipping Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafรฉs and bars 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services 10% in restaurants, round up elsewhere 10-15% for restaurants 10% in restaurants, 1-2 BGN at bars and cafรฉs Tip 5 - 10% in restaurants if service charge is not included in the bill
Taxi apps BiTaksi Uber Uber, Tu Chofer 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 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. 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 Dรถner, ฤฐรงli Kรถfte, Dondurma, Karnฤฑyarฤฑk, Turkish delight Enchiladas, torta de chilaquiles, esquites, quesadillas, tlacoyos, tacos, tostadas Sancocho de gallina, carimanola, empanadas, tamales panameรฑos, tostones, ropa vieja 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 Markets, food stalls, menรบ del dรญa (cheap set lunch menus) Fondas (roadside stalls), smaller local restaurants, local markets, food trucks 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 279 listings on Happy Cow 7 options on HappyCow 72 listings on Happy Cow 20 options on HappyCow 255 listings on Happy Cow