Istanbul vs Playa del Carmen vs Porto vs Prague vs Sofia

Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Playa del Carmen 🇲🇽
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Porto 🇵🇹
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Prague 🇨🇿
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Sofia 🇧🇬
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Population 15,520,000 259,453 237,559 1,305,737 1,270,169
Official language(s) Turkish Spanish Portuguese Czech Bulgarian
Level of English Low Moderate Very High High High
Main airport Istanbul Airport (IST) Cancun International Airport (CUN) Francisco Sá Carneiro International Airport (OPO) Václav Havel Airport Prague (PRG) Sofia International Airport (SOF)
Most common months to visit April - June, September and October January - May, October - December May - September June - October April-June, September-October
Currency TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) EUR - Euro (€) CZK - Czech Koruna (Kč) BGN - Bulgarian Lev (лв)
Credit cards Accepted in most places Accepted almost everywhere Accepted everywhere Accepted most places (some places are cash only) Accepted everywhere
Remote worker visa No Yes Yes Yes No
Average monthly costs $659 $2143 $1759 $1806 $1289
Rent $354 $923 $717 $780 $567
Groceries $44 $127 $148 $158 $10
Dining out $81 $207 $280 $240 $227
Cafe $18 $42 $45 $53 $27
Coworking space $49 $160 $96 $175 $140
Mobile internet $3 $21 $21 $24 $10
Public transportation $6 $17 $95 $61 $30
Taxis $6 $9 $25 $33 $12
Shared bicycles and scooters $2 $49 $10 $19 $40
Sport and cultural events $11 $97 $45 $19 $18
Museums and sights $15 $217 $24 $35 $12
Nightlife $22 $77 $66 $50 $82
Gym $9 $42 $56 $56 $23
Yoga $23 $54 $82 $66 $62
Massage $15 $101 $48 $37 $29
SIM card options Turkcell, Turk Telekom Telcel, Movistar Vodafone, MEO, NOS Vodafone, T-Mobile A1, Telenor, Vivacom
Tipping Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars 10-15% for restaurants 5-10% at restaurants if happy with service, not expected at cafes or bars 10% at restaurants and bars, round up elsewhere 10% in restaurants, 1-2 BGN at bars and cafés
Taxi apps BiTaksi N/A Uber, MyTaxi, Cabify Uber, Liftago TaxiMe, TaxiStars
Tap water Not drinkable Not drinkable Drinkable Drinkable Not drinkable
Overall cuisine A fusion of cultures creates diverse dishes with bulgur, koftes, stews, eggplants and fish 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. 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.
Local food specialities Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight 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 Vepřo knedlo zelo, Česnečka, Guláš, Svíčková na smetaně, Ovocné Knedlíky. 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 Taco stands, esquite stalls, El Fogon, El Pirata, Dona Mary's Local taverns, terraces, markets, tascas, churrascarias and local sports bars Pubs and taverns, street food stalls, local cafés Taverns, local BBQ restaurants, local markets and smaller eateries in residential and university areas.
Vegetarian / vegan options 59 listings on Happy Cow 72 listings on Happy Cow 46 options on Happy Cow 112 options on HappyCow 20 options on HappyCow