Cape Town vs Lisbon vs Madrid vs Mexico City vs Playa del Carmen vs Porto vs Prague

Cape Town 🇿🇦
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Lisbon 🇵🇹
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Madrid 🇪🇸
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Mexico City 🇲🇽
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Playa del Carmen 🇲🇽
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Porto 🇵🇹
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Prague 🇨🇿
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Population 4,617,560 517,000 6,578,0179 8,850,000 259,453 237,559 1,305,737
Official language(s) Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English Portuguese Spanish Spanish Spanish Portuguese Czech
Level of English Very high Very high Moderate Moderate Moderate Very High High
Main airport Cape Town International Airport (CPT) Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) Mexico City International Airport (MEX) Cancun International Airport (CUN) Francisco Sá Carneiro International Airport (OPO) Václav Havel Airport Prague (PRG)
Most common months to visit March - May, September - November March - May, September, October March - May, September - November March - May, October, November January - May, October - December May - September June - October
Currency ZAR - South African Rand (R) EUR - Euro (€) EUR - Euro (€) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) EUR - Euro (€) CZK - Czech Koruna (Kč)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops Accepted almost everywhere (less for AMEX) Accepted everywhere Widely accepted (less with AMEX) Accepted almost everywhere Accepted everywhere Accepted most places (some places are cash only)
Remote worker visa No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Average monthly costs $1549 $1984 $2498 $1867 $2143 $1759 $1806
Rent $618 $965 $1174 $778 $923 $717 $780
Groceries $129 $136 $175 $281 $127 $148 $158
Dining out $269 $271 $313 $182 $207 $280 $240
Cafe $32 $37 $51 $49 $42 $45 $53
Coworking space $151 $164 $196 $159 $160 $96 $175
Mobile internet $27 $24 $10 $25 $21 $21 $24
Public transportation $55 $63 $78 $11 $17 $95 $61
Taxis $21 $27 $44 $9 $9 $25 $33
Shared bicycles and scooters $49 $18 $49 $24 $49 $10 $19
Sport and cultural events $19 $29 $54 $81 $97 $45 $19
Museums and sights $15 $24 $20 $20 $217 $24 $35
Nightlife $43 $47 $82 $64 $77 $66 $50
Gym $36 $65 $44 $69 $42 $56 $56
Yoga $56 $65 $142 $65 $54 $82 $66
Massage $30 $50 $64 $51 $101 $48 $37
SIM card options MTN, Vodacom Vodafone Orange, Movistar, Vodafone Telcel, Movistar Telcel, Movistar Vodafone, MEO, NOS Vodafone, T-Mobile
Tipping 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere 5-10% for restaurants, not common at bars Not customary or expected but small tips are appreciated. 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services 10-15% for restaurants 5-10% at restaurants if happy with service, not expected at cafes or bars 10% at restaurants and bars, round up elsewhere
Taxi apps Uber, Bolt Uber, FreeNow Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now Uber N/A Uber, MyTaxi, Cabify Uber, Liftago
Tap water Not drinkable Drinkable Drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Drinkable 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. 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 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!
Local food specialities Bitlong and droewors, boerewors, Cape Malay curry, bobotie, melkert, gatsby, bunny chow 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 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.
Eat like a local Cape Malay shacks, food trucks, street food joints, local grills, small bakeries and food markets 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) 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
Vegetarian / vegan options 24 options on HappyCow 401 listings on Happy Cow 85 listings on Happy Cow 279 listings on Happy Cow 72 listings on Happy Cow 46 options on Happy Cow 112 options on HappyCow