Barbados ๐ง๐ง
|
Istanbul ๐น๐ท
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Panama City ๐ต๐ฆ
|
Playa del Carmen ๐ฒ๐ฝ
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Population | 110,000 | 15,520,000 | 880,691 | 259,453 |
Official language(s) | English, Bajan Creole | Turkish | Spanish | Spanish |
Level of English | Very high | Low | Low | Moderate |
Main airport | Bridgetown/Grantley Adams International Airport (BGI) | Istanbul Airport (IST) | Tocumen International Airport (PTY) | Cancun International Airport (CUN) |
Most common months to visit | November - May | April - June, September and October | December - April | January - May, October - December |
Currency | BBD - Barbadian dollar ($) | TRY - Turkish Lira (โบ) | PAB - Panamanian Balboa (B/.) | MXN - Mexican Peso ($) |
Credit cards | Accepted in some places, cash also needed for smaller businesses | Accepted in most places | Accepted almost everywhere but not in smaller shops. | Accepted almost everywhere |
Remote worker visa | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
Average monthly costs | $2702 | $659 | $2359 | $2143 |
Rent | $1054 | $354 | $1036 | $923 |
Groceries | $234 | $44 | $236 | $127 |
Dining out | $345 | $81 | $371 | $207 |
Cafe | $75 | $18 | $43 | $42 |
Coworking space | $321 | $49 | $157 | $160 |
Mobile internet | $49 | $3 | $21 | $21 |
Public transportation | $35 | $6 | $12 | $17 |
Taxis | $106 | $6 | $48 | $9 |
Shared bicycles and scooters | $0 | $2 | $0 | $49 |
Sport and cultural events | $37 | $11 | $35 | $97 |
Museums and sights | $36 | $15 | $9 | $217 |
Nightlife | $96 | $22 | $117 | $77 |
Gym | $86 | $9 | $37 | $42 |
Yoga | $130 | $23 | $163 | $54 |
Massage | $99 | $15 | $75 | $101 |
SIM card options | Digicel | Turkcell, Turk Telekom | Claro, Movistar | Telcel, Movistar |
Tipping | 10 - 15% usually included in restaurants, add 10 - 15% at bars | Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafรฉs and bars | 10% in restaurants, round up elsewhere | 10-15% for restaurants |
Taxi apps | None available | BiTaksi | Uber, Tu Chofer | N/A |
Tap water | Not drinkable | Not drinkable | Not drinkable | Not drinkable |
Overall cuisine | Bajan cuisine features an eclectic mix of European, Asian, and Caribbean styles resulting in bold, tasty and crunchy meat or fish dishes with lots of spices, lime juice, thyme and salads laden with local vegetables and hot side dishes. | A fusion of cultures creates diverse dishes with bulgur, koftes, stews, eggplants and fish | 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 |
Local food specialities | Cou-cou and flying fish, fish cakes, cutters, pudding and souse, macaroni pie, conkies, Bajan black cake, sea eggs | Dรถner, ฤฐรงli Kรถfte, Dondurma, Karnฤฑyarฤฑk, Turkish delight | Sancocho de gallina, carimanola, empanadas, tamales panameรฑos, tostones, ropa vieja | Chilaquiles, tacos al pastor, chile rellenos, cochinita pibil, tostadas, pozole |
Eat like a local | Food trucks, pubs, seaside street food, roadside carts, local seafood restaurants, smaller traditional restaurants and rum shops | Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee | Fondas (roadside stalls), smaller local restaurants, local markets, food trucks | Taco stands, esquite stalls, El Fogon, El Pirata, Dona Mary's |
Vegetarian / vegan options | 14 options on HappyCow | 59 listings on Happy Cow | 7 options on HappyCow | 72 listings on Happy Cow |