Austin vs Panama City vs Playa del Carmen vs Porto vs Valencia

Austin ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ
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Panama City ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฆ
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Playa del Carmen ๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ
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Porto ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น
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Valencia ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ
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Population 926,426 880,691 259,453 237,559 834,000
Official language(s) English (de facto) Spanish Spanish Portuguese Spanish, Valencian
Level of English Very high Low Moderate Very High Moderate
Main airport Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Tocumen International Airport (PTY) Cancun International Airport (CUN) Francisco Sรก Carneiro International Airport (OPO) Valencia Manises Airport (VLC)
Most common months to visit March - May, September - November December - April January - May, October - December May - September March - June, September, October
Currency USD - US Dollar ($) PAB - Panamanian Balboa (B/.) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) EUR - Euro (โ‚ฌ) EUR - Euro (โ‚ฌ)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted almost everywhere but not in smaller shops. Accepted almost everywhere Accepted everywhere Accepted almost everywhere
Remote worker visa No Yes Yes Yes Yes
Average monthly costs $3484 $2359 $2143 $1759 $1976
Rent $1650 $1036 $923 $717 $869
Groceries $243 $236 $127 $148 $146
Dining out $396 $371 $207 $280 $292
Cafe $66 $43 $42 $45 $42
Coworking space $331 $157 $160 $96 $152
Mobile internet $40 $21 $21 $21 $16
Public transportation $110 $12 $17 $95 $38
Taxis $73 $48 $9 $25 $42
Shared bicycles and scooters $96 $0 $49 $10 $30
Sport and cultural events $54 $35 $97 $45 $73
Museums and sights $11 $9 $217 $24 $44
Nightlife $124 $117 $77 $66 $66
Gym $62 $37 $42 $56 $34
Yoga $139 $163 $54 $82 $87
Massage $89 $75 $101 $48 $45
SIM card options AT&T, T-Mobile. Claro, Movistar Telcel, Movistar Vodafone, MEO, NOS Vodafone, Orange
Tipping 15-20% at restaurants, 1USD or more per drink at cafes and bars 10% in restaurants, round up elsewhere 10-15% for restaurants 5-10% at restaurants if happy with service, not expected at cafes or bars Round up for good service at restaurants, not common at bars
Taxi apps Uber, Lyft Uber, Tu Chofer N/A Uber, MyTaxi, Cabify Cabify, FreeNow
Tap water Drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable 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. 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 A variety of meats often mixed with fresh legumes and vegetables. Emphasis on rich seafood dishes and creamy desserts. Mediterranean style using vegetables, seafoods and meats
Local food specialities Frito pie, queso, apple pie, kolaches, BBQ ribs, tacos Sancocho de gallina, carimanola, empanadas, tamales panameรฑos, tostones, ropa vieja 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 Paella, fideuร , esgarrat, orxata, bunyols
Eat like a local Local tex-mex restaurants, lunch BBQ joints, taquerias, food trucks, local breweries Fondas (roadside stalls), smaller local restaurants, local markets, food trucks Taco stands, esquite stalls, El Fogon, El Pirata, Dona Mary's Local taverns, terraces, markets, tascas, churrascarias and local sports bars Tapas bars, markets, menu del dia (cheap set lunches)
Vegetarian / vegan options 30 options on HappyCow 7 options on HappyCow 72 listings on Happy Cow 46 options on Happy Cow 98 listings on Happy Cow