Austin vs Medellin vs Panama City vs Valencia

Austin ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ
Remove
Medellin ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ด
Remove
Panama City ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฆ
Remove
Valencia ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ
Remove
Population 926,426 2,427,000 880,691 834,000
Official language(s) English (de facto) Spanish Spanish Spanish, Valencian
Level of English Very high Low Low Moderate
Main airport Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Josรฉ Marรญa Cรณrdova International Airport (MDE) Tocumen International Airport (PTY) Valencia Manises Airport (VLC)
Most common months to visit March - May, September - November January - April, December December - April March - June, September, October
Currency USD - US Dollar ($) COP - Colombian Peso ($) PAB - Panamanian Balboa (B/.) EUR - Euro (โ‚ฌ)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted in some places Accepted almost everywhere but not in smaller shops. Accepted almost everywhere
Remote worker visa No No Yes Yes
Average monthly costs $3484 $1293 $2359 $1976
Rent $1650 $732 $1036 $869
Groceries $243 $87 $236 $146
Dining out $396 $131 $371 $292
Cafe $66 $18 $43 $42
Coworking space $331 $96 $157 $152
Mobile internet $40 $16 $21 $16
Public transportation $110 $21 $12 $38
Taxis $73 $14 $48 $42
Shared bicycles and scooters $96 $0 $0 $30
Sport and cultural events $54 $8 $35 $73
Museums and sights $11 $9 $9 $44
Nightlife $124 $73 $117 $66
Gym $62 $15 $37 $34
Yoga $139 $54 $163 $87
Massage $89 $20 $75 $45
SIM card options AT&T, T-Mobile. Claro, Tigo Claro, Movistar Vodafone, Orange
Tipping 15-20% at restaurants, 1USD or more per drink at cafes and bars Tip 10% in restaurants 10% in restaurants, round up elsewhere Round up for good service at restaurants, not common at bars
Taxi apps Uber, Lyft EasyTaxi Uber, Tu Chofer Cabify, FreeNow
Tap water Drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable 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 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. Mediterranean style using vegetables, seafoods and meats
Local food specialities Frito pie, queso, apple pie, kolaches, BBQ ribs, tacos Bandeja paisa, ajiaco, mondongo, empanada, and arepa Sancocho de gallina, carimanola, empanadas, tamales panameรฑos, tostones, ropa vieja Paella, fideuร , esgarrat, orxata, bunyols
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 Fondas (roadside stalls), smaller local restaurants, local markets, food trucks Tapas bars, markets, menu del dia (cheap set lunches)
Vegetarian / vegan options 30 options on HappyCow 153 listings on Happy Cow 7 options on HappyCow 98 listings on Happy Cow