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

Austin ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ
Remove
Medellin ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ด
Remove
Mexico City ๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ
Remove
Playa del Carmen ๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ
Remove
Rio de Janeiro ๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ท
Remove
Population 926,426 2,427,000 8,850,000 259,453 6,718,903
Official language(s) English (de facto) Spanish Spanish Spanish Portuguese
Level of English Very high Low Moderate Moderate Low
Main airport Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Josรฉ Marรญa Cรณrdova International Airport (MDE) Mexico City International Airport (MEX) Cancun International Airport (CUN) Galeรฃo International Airport
Most common months to visit March - May, September - November January - April, December March - May, October, November January - May, October - December January - March, December
Currency USD - US Dollar ($) COP - Colombian Peso ($) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) BRL - Brazilian Real (R$)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted in some places Widely accepted (less with AMEX) Accepted almost everywhere Accepted everywhere
Remote worker visa No No Yes Yes No
Average monthly costs $3484 $1293 $1867 $2143 $1833
Rent $1650 $732 $778 $923 $1066
Groceries $243 $87 $281 $127 $95
Dining out $396 $131 $182 $207 $210
Cafe $66 $18 $49 $42 $25
Coworking space $331 $96 $159 $160 $130
Mobile internet $40 $16 $25 $21 $7
Public transportation $110 $21 $11 $17 $33
Taxis $73 $14 $9 $9 $14
Shared bicycles and scooters $96 $0 $24 $49 $16
Sport and cultural events $54 $8 $81 $97 $55
Museums and sights $11 $9 $20 $217 $26
Nightlife $124 $73 $64 $77 $54
Gym $62 $15 $69 $42 $31
Yoga $139 $54 $65 $54 $40
Massage $89 $20 $51 $101 $32
SIM card options AT&T, T-Mobile. Claro, Tigo Telcel, Movistar Telcel, Movistar Tim, Claro, Vivo
Tipping 15-20% at restaurants, 1USD or more per drink at cafes and bars Tip 10% in restaurants 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services 10-15% for restaurants 10% usually included in restaurants, 10% at bars and cafes with table service is common
Taxi apps Uber, Lyft EasyTaxi Uber N/A Easy Taxi, 99 Taxi, Uber
Tap water Drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable
Overall cuisine Emphasis on barbecued meats (beef and pork) as well as corn-based dishes and tex-mex, and rich American-style desserts. 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 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 Frito pie, queso, apple pie, kolaches, BBQ ribs, tacos Bandeja paisa, ajiaco, mondongo, empanada, and arepa Enchiladas, torta de chilaquiles, esquites, quesadillas, tlacoyos, tacos, tostadas 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 Local tex-mex restaurants, lunch BBQ joints, taquerias, food trucks, local breweries Street stalls for empanada and arepa with cheese, restaurants for traditional Colombian food Markets, food stalls, menรบ del dรญa (cheap set lunch menus) 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 30 options on HappyCow 153 listings on Happy Cow 279 listings on Happy Cow 72 listings on Happy Cow 54 options on Happy Cow