Istanbul vs Medellin vs Panama City vs Playa del Carmen vs Rio de Janeiro vs Valencia

Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Medellin 🇨🇴
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Panama City 🇵🇦
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Playa del Carmen 🇲🇽
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Rio de Janeiro 🇧🇷
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Valencia 🇪🇸
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Population 15,520,000 2,427,000 880,691 259,453 6,718,903 834,000
Official language(s) Turkish Spanish Spanish Spanish Portuguese Spanish, Valencian
Level of English Low Low Low Moderate Low Moderate
Main airport Istanbul Airport (IST) José María Córdova International Airport (MDE) Tocumen International Airport (PTY) Cancun International Airport (CUN) Galeão International Airport Valencia Manises Airport (VLC)
Most common months to visit April - June, September and October January - April, December December - April January - May, October - December January - March, December March - June, September, October
Currency TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) COP - Colombian Peso ($) PAB - Panamanian Balboa (B/.) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) BRL - Brazilian Real (R$) EUR - Euro (€)
Credit cards Accepted in most places Accepted in some places Accepted almost everywhere but not in smaller shops. Accepted almost everywhere Accepted everywhere Accepted almost everywhere
Remote worker visa No No Yes Yes No Yes
Average monthly costs $659 $1293 $2359 $2143 $1833 $1976
Rent $354 $732 $1036 $923 $1066 $869
Groceries $44 $87 $236 $127 $95 $146
Dining out $81 $131 $371 $207 $210 $292
Cafe $18 $18 $43 $42 $25 $42
Coworking space $49 $96 $157 $160 $130 $152
Mobile internet $3 $16 $21 $21 $7 $16
Public transportation $6 $21 $12 $17 $33 $38
Taxis $6 $14 $48 $9 $14 $42
Shared bicycles and scooters $2 $0 $0 $49 $16 $30
Sport and cultural events $11 $8 $35 $97 $55 $73
Museums and sights $15 $9 $9 $217 $26 $44
Nightlife $22 $73 $117 $77 $54 $66
Gym $9 $15 $37 $42 $31 $34
Yoga $23 $54 $163 $54 $40 $87
Massage $15 $20 $75 $101 $32 $45
SIM card options Turkcell, Turk Telekom Claro, Tigo Claro, Movistar Telcel, Movistar Tim, Claro, Vivo Vodafone, Orange
Tipping Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars Tip 10% in restaurants 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 Round up for good service at restaurants, not common at bars
Taxi apps BiTaksi EasyTaxi Uber, Tu Chofer N/A Easy Taxi, 99 Taxi, Uber 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 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. Mediterranean style using vegetables, seafoods and meats
Local food specialities Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight Bandeja paisa, ajiaco, mondongo, empanada, and arepa Sancocho de gallina, carimanola, empanadas, tamales panameños, 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. 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 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. Tapas bars, markets, menu del dia (cheap set lunches)
Vegetarian / vegan options 59 listings on Happy Cow 153 listings on Happy Cow 7 options on HappyCow 72 listings on Happy Cow 54 options on Happy Cow 98 listings on Happy Cow