Istanbul vs Panama City vs Playa del Carmen vs Rio de Janeiro vs Sofia

Istanbul ๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท
Remove
Panama City ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฆ
Remove
Playa del Carmen ๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ
Remove
Rio de Janeiro ๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ท
Remove
Sofia ๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ฌ
Remove
Population 15,520,000 880,691 259,453 6,718,903 1,270,169
Official language(s) Turkish Spanish Spanish Portuguese Bulgarian
Level of English Low Low Moderate Low High
Main airport Istanbul Airport (IST) Tocumen International Airport (PTY) Cancun International Airport (CUN) Galeรฃo International Airport Sofia International Airport (SOF)
Most common months to visit April - June, September and October December - April January - May, October - December January - March, December April-June, September-October
Currency TRY - Turkish Lira (โ‚บ) PAB - Panamanian Balboa (B/.) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) BRL - Brazilian Real (R$) BGN - Bulgarian Lev (ะปะฒ)
Credit cards Accepted in most places Accepted almost everywhere but not in smaller shops. Accepted almost everywhere Accepted everywhere Accepted everywhere
Remote worker visa No Yes Yes No No
Average monthly costs $659 $2359 $2143 $1833 $1289
Rent $354 $1036 $923 $1066 $567
Groceries $44 $236 $127 $95 $10
Dining out $81 $371 $207 $210 $227
Cafe $18 $43 $42 $25 $27
Coworking space $49 $157 $160 $130 $140
Mobile internet $3 $21 $21 $7 $10
Public transportation $6 $12 $17 $33 $30
Taxis $6 $48 $9 $14 $12
Shared bicycles and scooters $2 $0 $49 $16 $40
Sport and cultural events $11 $35 $97 $55 $18
Museums and sights $15 $9 $217 $26 $12
Nightlife $22 $117 $77 $54 $82
Gym $9 $37 $42 $31 $23
Yoga $23 $163 $54 $40 $62
Massage $15 $75 $101 $32 $29
SIM card options Turkcell, Turk Telekom Claro, Movistar Telcel, Movistar Tim, Claro, Vivo A1, Telenor, Vivacom
Tipping Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafรฉs and bars 10% in restaurants, round up elsewhere 10-15% for restaurants 10% usually included in restaurants, 10% at bars and cafes with table service is common 10% in restaurants, 1-2 BGN at bars and cafรฉs
Taxi apps BiTaksi Uber, Tu Chofer N/A Easy Taxi, 99 Taxi, Uber TaxiMe, TaxiStars
Tap water 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 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 Emphasis on rice, beans, pork and beef with a variety of root vegetables and fresh fruits. Fresh seafood is also very common. 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 Sancocho de gallina, carimanola, empanadas, tamales panameรฑos, tostones, ropa vieja Chilaquiles, tacos al pastor, chile rellenos, cochinita pibil, tostadas, pozole Feijoada, bolinho de bacalhau, fried sardines, caldo verde, pao de queijo and brigadeiros. 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 Fondas (roadside stalls), smaller local restaurants, local markets, food trucks Taco stands, esquite stalls, El Fogon, El Pirata, Dona Mary's The "snack capital" of Brazil, Rio is a perfect place to try street food as well as the wide varieties of small, traditional eateries and churrascarias easily found across the city. Taverns, local BBQ restaurants, local markets and smaller eateries in residential and university areas.
Vegetarian / vegan options 59 listings on Happy Cow 7 options on HappyCow 72 listings on Happy Cow 54 options on Happy Cow 20 options on HappyCow