Cape Town vs Larnaca vs Lisbon vs Madrid vs Mexico City vs Prague vs Sofia

Cape Town 🇿🇦
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Larnaca 🇨🇾
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Lisbon 🇵🇹
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Madrid 🇪🇸
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Mexico City 🇲🇽
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Prague 🇨🇿
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Sofia 🇧🇬
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Population 4,617,560 144,900 517,000 6,578,0179 8,850,000 1,305,737 1,270,169
Official language(s) Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English Greek Portuguese Spanish Spanish Czech Bulgarian
Level of English Very high High Very high Moderate Moderate High High
Main airport Cape Town International Airport (CPT) Larnaca International Airport (LCA) Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) Mexico City International Airport (MEX) Václav Havel Airport Prague (PRG) Sofia International Airport (SOF)
Most common months to visit March - May, September - November March - May, October - December March - May, September, October March - May, September - November March - May, October, November June - October April-June, September-October
Currency ZAR - South African Rand (R) EUR - Euro (€) EUR - Euro (€) EUR - Euro (€) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) CZK - Czech Koruna (Kč) BGN - Bulgarian Lev (лв)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops Accepted everywhere Accepted almost everywhere (less for AMEX) Accepted everywhere Widely accepted (less with AMEX) Accepted most places (some places are cash only) Accepted everywhere
Remote worker visa No No Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Average monthly costs $1549 $1959 $1984 $2498 $1867 $1806 $1289
Rent $618 $678 $965 $1174 $778 $780 $567
Groceries $129 $157 $136 $175 $281 $158 $10
Dining out $269 $261 $271 $313 $182 $240 $227
Cafe $32 $56 $37 $51 $49 $53 $27
Coworking space $151 $209 $164 $196 $159 $175 $140
Mobile internet $27 $35 $24 $10 $25 $24 $10
Public transportation $55 $63 $63 $78 $11 $61 $30
Taxis $21 $42 $27 $44 $9 $33 $12
Shared bicycles and scooters $49 $45 $18 $49 $24 $19 $40
Sport and cultural events $19 $28 $29 $54 $81 $19 $18
Museums and sights $15 $8 $24 $20 $20 $35 $12
Nightlife $43 $110 $47 $82 $64 $50 $82
Gym $36 $107 $65 $44 $69 $56 $23
Yoga $56 $105 $65 $142 $65 $66 $62
Massage $30 $54 $50 $64 $51 $37 $29
SIM card options MTN, Vodacom Primetel, Cytamobile-Vodafone and Epic/MTN Vodafone Orange, Movistar, Vodafone Telcel, Movistar Vodafone, T-Mobile A1, Telenor, Vivacom
Tipping 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere 10% usually added and expected at restaurants, round up at bars 5-10% for restaurants, not common at bars Not customary or expected but small tips are appreciated. 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services 10% at restaurants and bars, round up elsewhere 10% in restaurants, 1-2 BGN at bars and cafés
Taxi apps Uber, Bolt nTaxi Uber, FreeNow Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now Uber Uber, Liftago TaxiMe, TaxiStars
Tap water Not drinkable Not drinkable Drinkable Drinkable Not drinkable Drinkable Not drinkable
Overall cuisine South African cuisine has been shaped by a long history of Dutch, Malay, British and Indian settlements, making the food diverse and strong in flavor. There is a strong emphasis on game in all of its different forms, as well as spicy sauces and sautéed vegetables and dry-cured meats. Creamy desserts and liqueurs compliment large and flavorful meals. Mediterranean style with emphasis on seafood, meats, olives, cheesed and traditional sauces. Some food with Middle Eastern influences as well.. Fresh seafood, meats, soup, sausages and famous pastries Fresh, regional produce accentuated with garlic and olive oil and mixed with various meats and seafoods. Influenced both by Mediterranean and Middle-Eastern flavors. Corn, beans, tortillas and chili peppers typically alongside meat and cheese 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 Bitlong and droewors, boerewors, Cape Malay curry, bobotie, melkert, gatsby, bunny chow Souvlaki, sheftalia, kleftiko, stifado, halloumi, koukepia and moussaka Bacalhau à bras, sardinhas, petiscos, leitão, polvo à lagareiro, pasteis de nata, bifana Paella, tapas, tortilla, gazpacho, pulpo a la gallega, callos a la madrileña, churros Enchiladas, torta de chilaquiles, esquites, quesadillas, tlacoyos, tacos, tostadas 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 Cape Malay shacks, food trucks, street food joints, local grills, small bakeries and food markets Opt for smaller, outside eateries and taverns serving traditional foods. Fast food kebab shops and falafel bars offer authentic options, too. Tascas, snack bars, seafood restaurants Have some tapas and sangria at a tasca and paella at an authentic eatery. Keep an eye on the time and visit a cafeteria for a mid-afternoon merienda and some churros! Markets, food stalls, menú del día (cheap set lunch menus) 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 24 options on HappyCow 14 options on HappyCow, but non-meat Mediterranean/Middle Eastern options are always available 401 listings on Happy Cow 85 listings on Happy Cow 279 listings on Happy Cow 112 options on HappyCow 20 options on HappyCow