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Mexico City 🇲🇽
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Panama City 🇵🇦
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Playa del Carmen 🇲🇽
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Seoul 🇰🇷
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| Population | 8,850,000 | 880,691 | 259,453 | 9,963,452 |
| Official language(s) | Spanish | Spanish | Spanish | Korean |
| Level of English | Moderate | Low | Moderate | Moderate |
| Main airport | Mexico City International Airport (MEX) | Tocumen International Airport (PTY) | Cancun International Airport (CUN) | Incheon International Airport (ICN) |
| Most common months to visit | March - May, October, November | December - April | January - May, October - December | March - May, September - November |
| Currency | MXN - Mexican Peso ($) | PAB - Panamanian Balboa (B/.) | MXN - Mexican Peso ($) | KRW - South Korean won (₩) |
| Credit cards | Widely accepted (less with AMEX) | Accepted almost everywhere but not in smaller shops. | Accepted almost everywhere | Accepted everywhere |
| Remote worker visa | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Average monthly costs | $1867 | $2359 | $2143 | $2184 |
| Rent | $778 | $1036 | $923 | $797 |
| Groceries | $281 | $236 | $127 | $356 |
| Dining out | $182 | $371 | $207 | $211 |
| Cafe | $49 | $43 | $42 | $69 |
| Coworking space | $159 | $157 | $160 | $222 |
| Mobile internet | $25 | $21 | $21 | $40 |
| Public transportation | $11 | $12 | $17 | $40 |
| Taxis | $9 | $48 | $9 | $41 |
| Shared bicycles and scooters | $24 | $0 | $49 | $13 |
| Sport and cultural events | $81 | $35 | $97 | $39 |
| Museums and sights | $20 | $9 | $217 | $6 |
| Nightlife | $64 | $117 | $77 | $93 |
| Gym | $69 | $37 | $42 | $69 |
| Yoga | $65 | $163 | $54 | $112 |
| Massage | $51 | $75 | $101 | $75 |
| SIM card options | Telcel, Movistar | Claro, Movistar | Telcel, Movistar | KT, SK Telecom, LG Uplus |
| Tipping | 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services | 10% in restaurants, round up elsewhere | 10-15% for restaurants | Not customary or expected |
| Taxi apps | Uber | Uber, Tu Chofer | N/A | Uber, Kakao |
| Tap water | Not drinkable | Not drinkable | Not drinkable | Drinkable |
| Overall cuisine | Corn, beans, tortillas and chili peppers typically alongside meat and cheese | 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, vegetables, spices and meats. Main dishes are coupled with diverse side dishes and desserts. Strong driking culture. |
| Local food specialities | Enchiladas, torta de chilaquiles, esquites, quesadillas, tlacoyos, tacos, tostadas | Sancocho de gallina, carimanola, empanadas, tamales panameños, tostones, ropa vieja | Chilaquiles, tacos al pastor, chile rellenos, cochinita pibil, tostadas, pozole | Kimchi, bulgogi, chap chae, mandu, sam gae tang, bossam |
| Eat like a local | Markets, food stalls, menú del día (cheap set lunch menus) | Fondas (roadside stalls), smaller local restaurants, local markets, food trucks | Taco stands, esquite stalls, El Fogon, El Pirata, Dona Mary's | Smaller, local eateries (sikdang), street stalls and local markets |
| Vegetarian / vegan options | 279 listings on Happy Cow | 7 options on HappyCow | 72 listings on Happy Cow | 57 options on Happy Cow |