Bucharest vs Istanbul vs Mexico City vs Playa del Carmen vs Sofia vs Valencia

Bucharest 🇷🇴
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Mexico City 🇲🇽
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Playa del Carmen 🇲🇽
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Sofia 🇧🇬
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Valencia 🇪🇸
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Population 1,830,000 15,520,000 8,850,000 259,453 1,270,169 834,000
Official language(s) Romanian Turkish Spanish Spanish Bulgarian Spanish, Valencian
Level of English High Low Moderate Moderate High Moderate
Main airport Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP) Istanbul Airport (IST) Mexico City International Airport (MEX) Cancun International Airport (CUN) Sofia International Airport (SOF) Valencia Manises Airport (VLC)
Most common months to visit April - October April - June, September and October March - May, October, November January - May, October - December April-June, September-October March - June, September, October
Currency RON - Romanian Leu (L) TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) BGN - Bulgarian Lev (лв) EUR - Euro (€)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted in most places Widely accepted (less with AMEX) Accepted almost everywhere Accepted everywhere Accepted almost everywhere
Remote worker visa No No Yes Yes No Yes
Average monthly costs $1351 $659 $1867 $2143 $1289 $1976
Rent $615 $354 $778 $923 $567 $869
Groceries $114 $44 $281 $127 $10 $146
Dining out $165 $81 $182 $207 $227 $292
Cafe $38 $18 $49 $42 $27 $42
Coworking space $133 $49 $159 $160 $140 $152
Mobile internet $7 $3 $25 $21 $10 $16
Public transportation $21 $6 $11 $17 $30 $38
Taxis $9 $6 $9 $9 $12 $42
Shared bicycles and scooters $25 $2 $24 $49 $40 $30
Sport and cultural events $29 $11 $81 $97 $18 $73
Museums and sights $29 $15 $20 $217 $12 $44
Nightlife $45 $22 $64 $77 $82 $66
Gym $30 $9 $69 $42 $23 $34
Yoga $59 $23 $65 $54 $62 $87
Massage $31 $15 $51 $101 $29 $45
SIM card options Vodafone, Orange Turkcell, Turk Telekom Telcel, Movistar Telcel, Movistar A1, Telenor, Vivacom Vodafone, Orange
Tipping 5% - 10% at restaurants, 5% - 10% tip for services is appreciated but not expected, round up for taxis Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services 10-15% for restaurants 10% in restaurants, 1-2 BGN at bars and cafés Round up for good service at restaurants, not common at bars
Taxi apps Star Taxi, Uber BiTaksi Uber N/A TaxiMe, TaxiStars Cabify, FreeNow
Tap water Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Drinkable
Overall cuisine Wide range of meat and fish dishes, soups, salads and cheeses influenced by German, Hungarian, Turkish, Greek and Ukrainian 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 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. Mediterranean style using vegetables, seafoods and meats
Local food specialities Sarmale, mămăligă, mici, ciolan cu fasole, ciorbă de burtă, covrig, papanasi Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight 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 Paella, fideuà, esgarrat, orxata, bunyols
Eat like a local Set lunch menus, cafe terraces, cofeterias Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee 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. Tapas bars, markets, menu del dia (cheap set lunches)
Vegetarian / vegan options 33 listings on Happy Cow 59 listings on Happy Cow 279 listings on Happy Cow 72 listings on Happy Cow 20 options on HappyCow 98 listings on Happy Cow