Cape Town vs Larnaca vs Madrid vs Porto vs Rio de Janeiro

Cape Town ๐Ÿ‡ฟ๐Ÿ‡ฆ
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Larnaca ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡พ
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Madrid ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ
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Porto ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น
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Rio de Janeiro ๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ท
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Population 4,617,560 144,900 6,578,0179 237,559 6,718,903
Official language(s) Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English Greek Spanish Portuguese Portuguese
Level of English Very high High Moderate Very High Low
Main airport Cape Town International Airport (CPT) Larnaca International Airport (LCA) Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) Francisco Sรก Carneiro International Airport (OPO) Galeรฃo International Airport
Most common months to visit March - May, September - November March - May, October - December March - May, September - November May - September January - March, December
Currency ZAR - South African Rand (R) EUR - Euro (โ‚ฌ) EUR - Euro (โ‚ฌ) EUR - Euro (โ‚ฌ) BRL - Brazilian Real (R$)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops Accepted everywhere Accepted everywhere Accepted everywhere Accepted everywhere
Remote worker visa No No Yes Yes No
Average monthly costs $1549 $1959 $2498 $1759 $1833
Rent $618 $678 $1174 $717 $1066
Groceries $129 $157 $175 $148 $95
Dining out $269 $261 $313 $280 $210
Cafe $32 $56 $51 $45 $25
Coworking space $151 $209 $196 $96 $130
Mobile internet $27 $35 $10 $21 $7
Public transportation $55 $63 $78 $95 $33
Taxis $21 $42 $44 $25 $14
Shared bicycles and scooters $49 $45 $49 $10 $16
Sport and cultural events $19 $28 $54 $45 $55
Museums and sights $15 $8 $20 $24 $26
Nightlife $43 $110 $82 $66 $54
Gym $36 $107 $44 $56 $31
Yoga $56 $105 $142 $82 $40
Massage $30 $54 $64 $48 $32
SIM card options MTN, Vodacom Primetel, Cytamobile-Vodafone and Epic/MTN Orange, Movistar, Vodafone Vodafone, MEO, NOS Tim, Claro, Vivo
Tipping 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere 10% usually added and expected at restaurants, round up at bars Not customary or expected but small tips are appreciated. 5-10% at restaurants if happy with service, not expected at cafes or bars 10% usually included in restaurants, 10% at bars and cafes with table service is common
Taxi apps Uber, Bolt nTaxi Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now Uber, MyTaxi, Cabify Easy Taxi, 99 Taxi, Uber
Tap water Not drinkable Not drinkable 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 sautรฉed 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, regional produce accentuated with garlic and olive oil and mixed with various meats and seafoods. Influenced both by Mediterranean and Middle-Eastern flavors. A variety of meats often mixed with fresh legumes and vegetables. Emphasis on rich seafood dishes and creamy desserts. Emphasis on rice, beans, pork and beef with a variety of root vegetables and fresh fruits. Fresh seafood is also very common.
Local food specialities Bitlong and droewors, boerewors, Cape Malay curry, bobotie, melkert, gatsby, bunny chow Souvlaki, sheftalia, kleftiko, stifado, halloumi, koukepia and moussaka Paella, tapas, tortilla, gazpacho, pulpo a la gallega, callos a la madrileรฑa, churros Bacalhau, Alheira de Mirandela, Francesinha, queido da serra da estrela, tripas a moda do Oporto, pasteis de chaves, tarte de amendoa Feijoada, bolinho de bacalhau, fried sardines, caldo verde, pao de queijo and brigadeiros.
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. 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! Local taverns, terraces, markets, tascas, churrascarias and local sports bars 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.
Vegetarian / vegan options 24 options on HappyCow 14 options on HappyCow, but non-meat Mediterranean/Middle Eastern options are always available 85 listings on Happy Cow 46 options on Happy Cow 54 options on Happy Cow