Istanbul vs New York City vs Panama City vs Playa del Carmen vs Porto vs Sofia

Istanbul ๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท
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New York City ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ
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Panama City ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฆ
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Playa del Carmen ๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ
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Porto ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น
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Sofia ๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ฌ
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Population 15,520,000 8,323,340 880,691 259,453 237,559 1,270,169
Official language(s) Turkish English (de facto) Spanish Spanish Portuguese Bulgarian
Level of English Low Very high Low Moderate Very High High
Main airport Istanbul Airport (IST) John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) Tocumen International Airport (PTY) Cancun International Airport (CUN) Francisco Sรก Carneiro International Airport (OPO) Sofia International Airport (SOF)
Most common months to visit April - June, September and October April - June, September - November December - April January - May, October - December May - September April-June, September-October
Currency TRY - Turkish Lira (โ‚บ) USD - US Dollar ($) PAB - Panamanian Balboa (B/.) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) EUR - Euro (โ‚ฌ) BGN - Bulgarian Lev (ะปะฒ)
Credit cards Accepted in most places Accepted everywhere Accepted almost everywhere but not in smaller shops. Accepted almost everywhere Accepted everywhere Accepted everywhere
Remote worker visa No No Yes Yes Yes No
Average monthly costs $659 $5431 $2359 $2143 $1759 $1289
Rent $354 $2891 $1036 $923 $717 $567
Groceries $44 $383 $236 $127 $148 $10
Dining out $81 $656 $371 $207 $280 $227
Cafe $18 $72 $43 $42 $45 $27
Coworking space $49 $326 $157 $160 $96 $140
Mobile internet $3 $45 $21 $21 $21 $10
Public transportation $6 $220 $12 $17 $95 $30
Taxis $6 $78 $48 $9 $25 $12
Shared bicycles and scooters $2 $30 $0 $49 $10 $40
Sport and cultural events $11 $100 $35 $97 $45 $18
Museums and sights $15 $74 $9 $217 $24 $12
Nightlife $22 $195 $117 $77 $66 $82
Gym $9 $55 $37 $42 $56 $23
Yoga $23 $197 $163 $54 $82 $62
Massage $15 $109 $75 $101 $48 $29
SIM card options Turkcell, Turk Telekom AT&T, Verizon Claro, Movistar Telcel, Movistar Vodafone, MEO, NOS A1, Telenor, Vivacom
Tipping Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafรฉs and bars 15-20% at restaurants, 1 USD per drink at bars 10% in restaurants, round up elsewhere 10-15% for restaurants 5-10% at restaurants if happy with service, not expected at cafes or bars 10% in restaurants, 1-2 BGN at bars and cafรฉs
Taxi apps BiTaksi Uber, Lyft Uber, Tu Chofer N/A Uber, MyTaxi, Cabify TaxiMe, TaxiStars
Tap water Not drinkable Drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Drinkable Not drinkable
Overall cuisine A fusion of cultures creates diverse dishes with bulgur, koftes, stews, eggplants and fish American. Emphasis on comfort and fast food, with some good seafood dishes. Influence from other regions of the US, North America and the world make NYC a cosmopolitan and international cuisine hub that is incredibly diverse. 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 A variety of meats often mixed with fresh legumes and vegetables. Emphasis on rich seafood dishes and creamy desserts. 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 Dรถner, ฤฐรงli Kรถfte, Dondurma, Karnฤฑyarฤฑk, Turkish delight Pizza, clam chowder, bagels, corned beef, pastrami, cheesecake, hot dogs, and hundred of other international food options. Sancocho de gallina, carimanola, empanadas, tamales panameรฑos, tostones, ropa vieja Chilaquiles, tacos al pastor, chile rellenos, cochinita pibil, tostadas, pozole Bacalhau, Alheira de Mirandela, Francesinha, queido da serra da estrela, tripas a moda do Oporto, pasteis de chaves, tarte de amendoa Kebapche, Bulgarian musaka, lyutenitsa, shkember chorba, kyufte, kavarma, banitsa and tarator
Eat like a local Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee Delis, local pizza shops, street food stalls and food trucks, food markets, local bakeries and smaller, authentic international cuisine restaurants Fondas (roadside stalls), smaller local restaurants, local markets, food trucks Taco stands, esquite stalls, El Fogon, El Pirata, Dona Mary's Local taverns, terraces, markets, tascas, churrascarias and local sports bars Taverns, local BBQ restaurants, local markets and smaller eateries in residential and university areas.
Vegetarian / vegan options 59 listings on Happy Cow 309 options on HappyCow 7 options on HappyCow 72 listings on Happy Cow 46 options on Happy Cow 20 options on HappyCow