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Cape Town 🇿🇦
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Mexico City 🇲🇽
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Playa del Carmen 🇲🇽
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Porto 🇵🇹
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Ubud 🇮🇩
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| Population | 4,617,560 | 8,850,000 | 259,453 | 237,559 | 112,490 |
| Official language(s) | Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English | Spanish | Spanish | Portuguese | Indonesian and Balinese |
| Level of English | Very high | Moderate | Moderate | Very High | Low |
| Main airport | Cape Town International Airport (CPT) | Mexico City International Airport (MEX) | Cancun International Airport (CUN) | Francisco Sá Carneiro International Airport (OPO) | Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPA) |
| Most common months to visit | March - May, September - November | March - May, October, November | January - May, October - December | May - September | May - October |
| Currency | ZAR - South African Rand (R) | MXN - Mexican Peso ($) | MXN - Mexican Peso ($) | EUR - Euro (€) | IDR - Indonesian Rupiah (Rp) |
| Credit cards | Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops | Widely accepted (less with AMEX) | Accepted almost everywhere | Accepted everywhere | Accepted in some places |
| Remote worker visa | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Average monthly costs | $1549 | $1867 | $2143 | $1759 | $1363 |
| Rent | $618 | $778 | $923 | $717 | $658 |
| Groceries | $129 | $281 | $127 | $148 | $150 |
| Dining out | $269 | $182 | $207 | $280 | $10 |
| Cafe | $32 | $49 | $42 | $45 | $28 |
| Coworking space | $151 | $159 | $160 | $96 | $106 |
| Mobile internet | $27 | $25 | $21 | $21 | $3 |
| Public transportation | $55 | $11 | $17 | $95 | $53 |
| Taxis | $21 | $9 | $9 | $25 | $13 |
| Shared bicycles and scooters | $49 | $24 | $49 | $10 | $33 |
| Sport and cultural events | $19 | $81 | $97 | $45 | $14 |
| Museums and sights | $15 | $20 | $217 | $24 | $9 |
| Nightlife | $43 | $64 | $77 | $66 | $118 |
| Gym | $36 | $69 | $42 | $56 | $72 |
| Yoga | $56 | $65 | $54 | $82 | $87 |
| Massage | $30 | $51 | $101 | $48 | $10 |
| SIM card options | MTN, Vodacom | Telcel, Movistar | Telcel, Movistar | Vodafone, MEO, NOS | Telkomsel, XL Axiata |
| Tipping | 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere | 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services | 10-15% for restaurants | 5-10% at restaurants if happy with service, not expected at cafes or bars | Tip 5 - 10% in restaurants if service charge is not included in the bill |
| Taxi apps | Uber, Bolt | Uber | N/A | Uber, MyTaxi, Cabify | Grab, GoJek |
| Tap water | Not drinkable | Not drinkable | Not drinkable | Drinkable | Not drinkable |
| Overall cuisine | South African cuisine has been shaped by a long history of Dutch, Malay, British and Indian settlements, making the food diverse and strong in flavor. There is a strong emphasis on game in all of its different forms, as well as spicy sauces and sautéed vegetables and dry-cured meats. Creamy desserts and liqueurs compliment large and flavorful meals. | 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 | A variety of meats often mixed with fresh legumes and vegetables. Emphasis on rich seafood dishes and creamy desserts. | Balinese foods revolve on the complex flavors from certain ingredients like fresh vegetables, meat, coconut milk, and time-tested spices mixture. |
| Local food specialities | Bitlong and droewors, boerewors, Cape Malay curry, bobotie, melkert, gatsby, bunny chow | Enchiladas, torta de chilaquiles, esquites, quesadillas, tlacoyos, tacos, tostadas | Chilaquiles, tacos al pastor, chile rellenos, cochinita pibil, tostadas, pozole | Bacalhau, Alheira de Mirandela, Francesinha, queido da serra da estrela, tripas a moda do Oporto, pasteis de chaves, tarte de amendoa | Satay, nasi goreng, gado-gado, martabak, bubur sumsum |
| Eat like a local | Cape Malay shacks, food trucks, street food joints, local grills, small bakeries and food markets | Markets, food stalls, menú del día (cheap set lunch menus) | Taco stands, esquite stalls, El Fogon, El Pirata, Dona Mary's | Local taverns, terraces, markets, tascas, churrascarias and local sports bars | Warung for authentic babi guling and bebek betutu, cafes for kopi luwak, street stalls for pisang goreng, nasi campur, and sate lilit |
| Vegetarian / vegan options | 24 options on HappyCow | 279 listings on Happy Cow | 72 listings on Happy Cow | 46 options on Happy Cow | 255 listings on Happy Cow |