Medellin vs Mexico City vs Panama City vs Playa del Carmen vs Rio de Janeiro

Medellin ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ด
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Mexico City ๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ
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Panama City ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฆ
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Playa del Carmen ๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ
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Rio de Janeiro ๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ท
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Population 2,427,000 8,850,000 880,691 259,453 6,718,903
Official language(s) Spanish Spanish Spanish Spanish Portuguese
Level of English Low Moderate Low Moderate Low
Main airport Josรฉ Marรญa Cรณrdova International Airport (MDE) Mexico City International Airport (MEX) Tocumen International Airport (PTY) Cancun International Airport (CUN) Galeรฃo International Airport
Most common months to visit January - April, December March - May, October, November December - April January - May, October - December January - March, December
Currency COP - Colombian Peso ($) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) PAB - Panamanian Balboa (B/.) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) BRL - Brazilian Real (R$)
Credit cards Accepted in some places Widely accepted (less with AMEX) Accepted almost everywhere but not in smaller shops. Accepted almost everywhere Accepted everywhere
Remote worker visa No Yes Yes Yes No
Average monthly costs $1293 $1867 $2359 $2143 $1833
Rent $732 $778 $1036 $923 $1066
Groceries $87 $281 $236 $127 $95
Dining out $131 $182 $371 $207 $210
Cafe $18 $49 $43 $42 $25
Coworking space $96 $159 $157 $160 $130
Mobile internet $16 $25 $21 $21 $7
Public transportation $21 $11 $12 $17 $33
Taxis $14 $9 $48 $9 $14
Shared bicycles and scooters $0 $24 $0 $49 $16
Sport and cultural events $8 $81 $35 $97 $55
Museums and sights $9 $20 $9 $217 $26
Nightlife $73 $64 $117 $77 $54
Gym $15 $69 $37 $42 $31
Yoga $54 $65 $163 $54 $40
Massage $20 $51 $75 $101 $32
SIM card options Claro, Tigo Telcel, Movistar Claro, Movistar Telcel, Movistar Tim, Claro, Vivo
Tipping Tip 10% in restaurants 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services 10% in restaurants, round up elsewhere 10-15% for restaurants 10% usually included in restaurants, 10% at bars and cafes with table service is common
Taxi apps EasyTaxi Uber Uber, Tu Chofer N/A Easy Taxi, 99 Taxi, Uber
Tap water Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable
Overall cuisine A blend of indigenous and European traditions with rice, maize, cassava, assorted legumes, and meats Corn, beans, tortillas and chili peppers typically alongside meat and cheese Latin American. Emphasis on rice, beans, coconut, and local fruits and vegetables. Pork and beef are regularly used and influence from the islands gives seafood dishes a prominent spot in Panamanian cuisine. Staple dishes from maize, beans, sweet potato and avocado along with meat, chili peppers and other spices 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 Bandeja paisa, ajiaco, mondongo, empanada, and arepa Enchiladas, torta de chilaquiles, esquites, quesadillas, tlacoyos, tacos, tostadas Sancocho de gallina, carimanola, empanadas, tamales panameรฑos, tostones, ropa vieja Chilaquiles, tacos al pastor, chile rellenos, cochinita pibil, tostadas, pozole Feijoada, bolinho de bacalhau, fried sardines, caldo verde, pao de queijo and brigadeiros.
Eat like a local Street stalls for empanada and arepa with cheese, restaurants for traditional Colombian food Markets, food stalls, menรบ del dรญa (cheap set lunch menus) Fondas (roadside stalls), smaller local restaurants, local markets, food trucks Taco stands, esquite stalls, El Fogon, El Pirata, Dona Mary's 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 153 listings on Happy Cow 279 listings on Happy Cow 7 options on HappyCow 72 listings on Happy Cow 54 options on Happy Cow