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Medellin 🇨🇴
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Panama City 🇵🇦
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Playa del Carmen 🇲🇽
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Valencia 🇪🇸
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| Population | 2,427,000 | 880,691 | 259,453 | 834,000 |
| Official language(s) | Spanish | Spanish | Spanish | Spanish, Valencian |
| Level of English | Low | Low | Moderate | Moderate |
| Main airport | José María Córdova International Airport (MDE) | Tocumen International Airport (PTY) | Cancun International Airport (CUN) | Valencia Manises Airport (VLC) |
| Most common months to visit | January - April, December | December - April | January - May, October - December | March - June, September, October |
| Currency | COP - Colombian Peso ($) | PAB - Panamanian Balboa (B/.) | MXN - Mexican Peso ($) | EUR - Euro (€) |
| Credit cards | Accepted in some places | Accepted almost everywhere but not in smaller shops. | Accepted almost everywhere | Accepted almost everywhere |
| Remote worker visa | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Average monthly costs | $1293 | $2359 | $2143 | $1976 |
| Rent | $732 | $1036 | $923 | $869 |
| Groceries | $87 | $236 | $127 | $146 |
| Dining out | $131 | $371 | $207 | $292 |
| Cafe | $18 | $43 | $42 | $42 |
| Coworking space | $96 | $157 | $160 | $152 |
| Mobile internet | $16 | $21 | $21 | $16 |
| Public transportation | $21 | $12 | $17 | $38 |
| Taxis | $14 | $48 | $9 | $42 |
| Shared bicycles and scooters | $0 | $0 | $49 | $30 |
| Sport and cultural events | $8 | $35 | $97 | $73 |
| Museums and sights | $9 | $9 | $217 | $44 |
| Nightlife | $73 | $117 | $77 | $66 |
| Gym | $15 | $37 | $42 | $34 |
| Yoga | $54 | $163 | $54 | $87 |
| Massage | $20 | $75 | $101 | $45 |
| SIM card options | Claro, Tigo | Claro, Movistar | Telcel, Movistar | Vodafone, Orange |
| Tipping | Tip 10% in restaurants | 10% in restaurants, round up elsewhere | 10-15% for restaurants | Round up for good service at restaurants, not common at bars |
| Taxi apps | EasyTaxi | Uber, Tu Chofer | N/A | Cabify, FreeNow |
| Tap water | Not drinkable | Not drinkable | Not drinkable | Drinkable |
| Overall cuisine | 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 | Mediterranean style using vegetables, seafoods and meats |
| Local food specialities | 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 | Paella, fideuà, esgarrat, orxata, bunyols |
| Eat like a local | 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 | Tapas bars, markets, menu del dia (cheap set lunches) |
| Vegetarian / vegan options | 153 listings on Happy Cow | 7 options on HappyCow | 72 listings on Happy Cow | 98 listings on Happy Cow |