Istanbul vs Medellin vs Playa del Carmen vs Porto vs Sofia

Istanbul ๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท
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Medellin ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ด
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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 2,427,000 259,453 237,559 1,270,169
Official language(s) Turkish Spanish Spanish Portuguese Bulgarian
Level of English Low Low Moderate Very High High
Main airport Istanbul Airport (IST) Josรฉ Marรญa Cรณrdova International Airport (MDE) Cancun International Airport (CUN) Francisco Sรก Carneiro International Airport (OPO) Sofia International Airport (SOF)
Most common months to visit April - June, September and October January - April, December January - May, October - December May - September April-June, September-October
Currency TRY - Turkish Lira (โ‚บ) COP - Colombian Peso ($) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) EUR - Euro (โ‚ฌ) BGN - Bulgarian Lev (ะปะฒ)
Credit cards Accepted in most places Accepted in some places Accepted almost everywhere Accepted everywhere Accepted everywhere
Remote worker visa No No Yes Yes No
Average monthly costs $659 $1293 $2143 $1759 $1289
Rent $354 $732 $923 $717 $567
Groceries $44 $87 $127 $148 $10
Dining out $81 $131 $207 $280 $227
Cafe $18 $18 $42 $45 $27
Coworking space $49 $96 $160 $96 $140
Mobile internet $3 $16 $21 $21 $10
Public transportation $6 $21 $17 $95 $30
Taxis $6 $14 $9 $25 $12
Shared bicycles and scooters $2 $0 $49 $10 $40
Sport and cultural events $11 $8 $97 $45 $18
Museums and sights $15 $9 $217 $24 $12
Nightlife $22 $73 $77 $66 $82
Gym $9 $15 $42 $56 $23
Yoga $23 $54 $54 $82 $62
Massage $15 $20 $101 $48 $29
SIM card options Turkcell, Turk Telekom Claro, Tigo Telcel, Movistar Vodafone, MEO, NOS A1, Telenor, Vivacom
Tipping Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafรฉs and bars Tip 10% in restaurants 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 EasyTaxi N/A Uber, MyTaxi, Cabify TaxiMe, TaxiStars
Tap water Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Drinkable Not drinkable
Overall cuisine A fusion of cultures creates diverse dishes with bulgur, koftes, stews, eggplants and fish A blend of indigenous and European traditions with rice, maize, cassava, assorted legumes, and meats 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 Bandeja paisa, ajiaco, mondongo, empanada, and arepa 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 Street stalls for empanada and arepa with cheese, restaurants for traditional Colombian food 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 153 listings on Happy Cow 72 listings on Happy Cow 46 options on Happy Cow 20 options on HappyCow