Istanbul vs Medellin vs Mexico City vs Rio de Janeiro vs Tbilisi vs Valencia

Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Medellin 🇨🇴
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Mexico City 🇲🇽
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Rio de Janeiro 🇧🇷
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Tbilisi 🇬🇪
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Valencia 🇪🇸
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Population 15,520,000 2,427,000 8,850,000 6,718,903 1,108,700 834,000
Official language(s) Turkish Spanish Spanish Portuguese Georgian Spanish, Valencian
Level of English Low Low Moderate Low Low Moderate
Main airport Istanbul Airport (IST) José María Córdova International Airport (MDE) Mexico City International Airport (MEX) Galeão International Airport Tbilisi International Airport (TBS) Valencia Manises Airport (VLC)
Most common months to visit April - June, September and October January - April, December March - May, October, November January - March, December March - June March - June, September, October
Currency TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) COP - Colombian Peso ($) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) BRL - Brazilian Real (R$) GEL - Georgian Lari (₾) EUR - Euro (€)
Credit cards Accepted in most places Accepted in some places Widely accepted (less with AMEX) Accepted everywhere Accepted everywhere Accepted almost everywhere
Remote worker visa No No Yes No Yes Yes
Average monthly costs $659 $1293 $1867 $1833 $1462 $1976
Rent $354 $732 $778 $1066 $752 $869
Groceries $44 $87 $281 $95 $112 $146
Dining out $81 $131 $182 $210 $169 $292
Cafe $18 $18 $49 $25 $45 $42
Coworking space $49 $96 $159 $130 $125 $152
Mobile internet $3 $16 $25 $7 $4 $16
Public transportation $6 $21 $11 $33 $8 $38
Taxis $6 $14 $9 $14 $14 $42
Shared bicycles and scooters $2 $0 $24 $16 $27 $30
Sport and cultural events $11 $8 $81 $55 $21 $73
Museums and sights $15 $9 $20 $26 $9 $44
Nightlife $22 $73 $64 $54 $53 $66
Gym $9 $15 $69 $31 $33 $34
Yoga $23 $54 $65 $40 $37 $87
Massage $15 $20 $51 $32 $53 $45
SIM card options Turkcell, Turk Telekom Claro, Tigo Telcel, Movistar Tim, Claro, Vivo Magti GSM, Geocell, Beeline Vodafone, Orange
Tipping Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars Tip 10% in restaurants 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services 10% usually included in restaurants, 10% at bars and cafes with table service is common 10% usually included in bill, not expected at bars or cafés. Round up for good service at restaurants, not common at bars
Taxi apps BiTaksi EasyTaxi Uber Easy Taxi, 99 Taxi, Uber Yandex, Bolt Cabify, FreeNow
Tap water Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Drinkable
Overall cuisine A fusion of cultures creates diverse dishes with bulgur, koftes, stews, eggplants and fish 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 Emphasis on rice, beans, pork and beef with a variety of root vegetables and fresh fruits. Fresh seafood is also very common. Cuisine of the Caucasus meets regional diversity in Georgia. Emphasis on spices and meats (poultry, beef, pork and mutton) as well as soups and creams. Mediterranean style using vegetables, seafoods and meats
Local food specialities Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight Bandeja paisa, ajiaco, mondongo, empanada, and arepa Enchiladas, torta de chilaquiles, esquites, quesadillas, tlacoyos, tacos, tostadas Feijoada, bolinho de bacalhau, fried sardines, caldo verde, pao de queijo and brigadeiros. Kachapuri, kuchmachi, khinkali, chikhirtma, kharcho with gomi, jonjoli Paella, fideuà, esgarrat, orxata, bunyols
Eat like a local Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee Street stalls for empanada and arepa with cheese, restaurants for traditional Colombian food Markets, food stalls, menú del día (cheap set lunch menus) 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. Small local restaurants, open bars, terraces and wine bars Tapas bars, markets, menu del dia (cheap set lunches)
Vegetarian / vegan options 59 listings on Happy Cow 153 listings on Happy Cow 279 listings on Happy Cow 54 options on Happy Cow 10 options on Happy Cow 98 listings on Happy Cow