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

Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Mexico City 🇲🇽
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Playa del Carmen 🇲🇽
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Prague 🇨🇿
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Sofia 🇧🇬
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Valencia 🇪🇸
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Population 15,520,000 8,850,000 259,453 1,305,737 1,270,169 834,000
Official language(s) Turkish Spanish Spanish Czech Bulgarian Spanish, Valencian
Level of English Low Moderate Moderate High High Moderate
Main airport Istanbul Airport (IST) Mexico City International Airport (MEX) Cancun International Airport (CUN) Václav Havel Airport Prague (PRG) Sofia International Airport (SOF) Valencia Manises Airport (VLC)
Most common months to visit April - June, September and October March - May, October, November January - May, October - December June - October April-June, September-October March - June, September, October
Currency TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) CZK - Czech Koruna (Kč) BGN - Bulgarian Lev (лв) EUR - Euro (€)
Credit cards Accepted in most places Widely accepted (less with AMEX) Accepted almost everywhere Accepted most places (some places are cash only) Accepted everywhere Accepted almost everywhere
Remote worker visa No Yes Yes Yes No Yes
Average monthly costs $659 $1867 $2143 $1806 $1289 $1976
Rent $354 $778 $923 $780 $567 $869
Groceries $44 $281 $127 $158 $10 $146
Dining out $81 $182 $207 $240 $227 $292
Cafe $18 $49 $42 $53 $27 $42
Coworking space $49 $159 $160 $175 $140 $152
Mobile internet $3 $25 $21 $24 $10 $16
Public transportation $6 $11 $17 $61 $30 $38
Taxis $6 $9 $9 $33 $12 $42
Shared bicycles and scooters $2 $24 $49 $19 $40 $30
Sport and cultural events $11 $81 $97 $19 $18 $73
Museums and sights $15 $20 $217 $35 $12 $44
Nightlife $22 $64 $77 $50 $82 $66
Gym $9 $69 $42 $56 $23 $34
Yoga $23 $65 $54 $66 $62 $87
Massage $15 $51 $101 $37 $29 $45
SIM card options Turkcell, Turk Telekom Telcel, Movistar Telcel, Movistar Vodafone, T-Mobile A1, Telenor, Vivacom Vodafone, Orange
Tipping Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services 10-15% for restaurants 10% at restaurants and bars, round up elsewhere 10% in restaurants, 1-2 BGN at bars and cafés Round up for good service at restaurants, not common at bars
Taxi apps BiTaksi Uber N/A Uber, Liftago TaxiMe, TaxiStars Cabify, FreeNow
Tap water Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Drinkable Not drinkable 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 Staple dishes from maize, beans, sweet potato and avocado along with meat, chili peppers and other spices Thick soups are often combined with stewed vegetables and baked meats to produce rich dishes. Gravies and creams are popular in Czech cuisine, as is beer! 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 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 Vepřo knedlo zelo, Česnečka, Guláš, Svíčková na smetaně, Ovocné Knedlíky. Kebapche, Bulgarian musaka, lyutenitsa, shkember chorba, kyufte, kavarma, banitsa and tarator Paella, fideuà, esgarrat, orxata, bunyols
Eat like a local 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 Pubs and taverns, street food stalls, local cafés 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 59 listings on Happy Cow 279 listings on Happy Cow 72 listings on Happy Cow 112 options on HappyCow 20 options on HappyCow 98 listings on Happy Cow