Panama City vs Playa del Carmen vs Sofia vs Valencia

Panama City ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฆ
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Playa del Carmen ๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ
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Sofia ๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ฌ
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Valencia ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ
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Population 880,691 259,453 1,270,169 834,000
Official language(s) Spanish Spanish Bulgarian Spanish, Valencian
Level of English Low Moderate High Moderate
Main airport Tocumen International Airport (PTY) Cancun International Airport (CUN) Sofia International Airport (SOF) Valencia Manises Airport (VLC)
Most common months to visit December - April January - May, October - December April-June, September-October March - June, September, October
Currency PAB - Panamanian Balboa (B/.) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) BGN - Bulgarian Lev (ะปะฒ) EUR - Euro (โ‚ฌ)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere but not in smaller shops. Accepted almost everywhere Accepted everywhere Accepted almost everywhere
Remote worker visa Yes Yes No Yes
Average monthly costs $2359 $2143 $1289 $1976
Rent $1036 $923 $567 $869
Groceries $236 $127 $10 $146
Dining out $371 $207 $227 $292
Cafe $43 $42 $27 $42
Coworking space $157 $160 $140 $152
Mobile internet $21 $21 $10 $16
Public transportation $12 $17 $30 $38
Taxis $48 $9 $12 $42
Shared bicycles and scooters $0 $49 $40 $30
Sport and cultural events $35 $97 $18 $73
Museums and sights $9 $217 $12 $44
Nightlife $117 $77 $82 $66
Gym $37 $42 $23 $34
Yoga $163 $54 $62 $87
Massage $75 $101 $29 $45
SIM card options Claro, Movistar Telcel, Movistar A1, Telenor, Vivacom Vodafone, Orange
Tipping 10% in restaurants, round up elsewhere 10-15% for restaurants 10% in restaurants, 1-2 BGN at bars and cafรฉs Round up for good service at restaurants, not common at bars
Taxi apps Uber, Tu Chofer N/A TaxiMe, TaxiStars Cabify, FreeNow
Tap water Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable 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. Mediterranean style using vegetables, seafoods and meats
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 Paella, fideuร , esgarrat, orxata, bunyols
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. Tapas bars, markets, menu del dia (cheap set lunches)
Vegetarian / vegan options 7 options on HappyCow 72 listings on Happy Cow 20 options on HappyCow 98 listings on Happy Cow