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Panama City ๐ต๐ฆ
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Playa del Carmen ๐ฒ๐ฝ
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Sofia ๐ง๐ฌ
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| Population | 880,691 | 259,453 | 1,270,169 |
| Official language(s) | Spanish | Spanish | Bulgarian |
| Level of English | Low | Moderate | High |
| Main airport | Tocumen International Airport (PTY) | Cancun International Airport (CUN) | Sofia International Airport (SOF) |
| Most common months to visit | December - April | January - May, October - December | April-June, September-October |
| Currency | PAB - Panamanian Balboa (B/.) | MXN - Mexican Peso ($) | BGN - Bulgarian Lev (ะปะฒ) |
| Credit cards | Accepted almost everywhere but not in smaller shops. | Accepted almost everywhere | Accepted everywhere |
| Remote worker visa | Yes | Yes | No |
| Average monthly costs | $2359 | $2143 | $1289 |
| Rent | $1036 | $923 | $567 |
| Groceries | $236 | $127 | $10 |
| Dining out | $371 | $207 | $227 |
| Cafe | $43 | $42 | $27 |
| Coworking space | $157 | $160 | $140 |
| Mobile internet | $21 | $21 | $10 |
| Public transportation | $12 | $17 | $30 |
| Taxis | $48 | $9 | $12 |
| Shared bicycles and scooters | $0 | $49 | $40 |
| Sport and cultural events | $35 | $97 | $18 |
| Museums and sights | $9 | $217 | $12 |
| Nightlife | $117 | $77 | $82 |
| Gym | $37 | $42 | $23 |
| Yoga | $163 | $54 | $62 |
| Massage | $75 | $101 | $29 |
| SIM card options | Claro, Movistar | Telcel, Movistar | A1, Telenor, Vivacom |
| Tipping | 10% in restaurants, round up elsewhere | 10-15% for restaurants | 10% in restaurants, 1-2 BGN at bars and cafรฉs |
| Taxi apps | Uber, Tu Chofer | N/A | TaxiMe, TaxiStars |
| Tap water | Not drinkable | Not drinkable | Not drinkable |
| Overall cuisine | 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 | Vegetables and mild spices are often mixed with dairy products to create rich chicken and pork products. Seafood dishes also popular in some regions of the country, making them popular in the capital. |
| Local food specialities | Sancocho de gallina, carimanola, empanadas, tamales panameรฑos, tostones, ropa vieja | Chilaquiles, tacos al pastor, chile rellenos, cochinita pibil, tostadas, pozole | Kebapche, Bulgarian musaka, lyutenitsa, shkember chorba, kyufte, kavarma, banitsa and tarator |
| Eat like a local | Fondas (roadside stalls), smaller local restaurants, local markets, food trucks | Taco stands, esquite stalls, El Fogon, El Pirata, Dona Mary's | Taverns, local BBQ restaurants, local markets and smaller eateries in residential and university areas. |
| Vegetarian / vegan options | 7 options on HappyCow | 72 listings on Happy Cow | 20 options on HappyCow |