Istanbul vs Playa del Carmen vs Prague vs Sofia vs Tbilisi

Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Playa del Carmen 🇲🇽
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Prague 🇨🇿
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Sofia 🇧🇬
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Tbilisi 🇬🇪
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Population 15,520,000 259,453 1,305,737 1,270,169 1,108,700
Official language(s) Turkish Spanish Czech Bulgarian Georgian
Level of English Low Moderate High High Low
Main airport Istanbul Airport (IST) Cancun International Airport (CUN) Václav Havel Airport Prague (PRG) Sofia International Airport (SOF) Tbilisi International Airport (TBS)
Most common months to visit April - June, September and October January - May, October - December June - October April-June, September-October March - June
Currency TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) CZK - Czech Koruna (Kč) BGN - Bulgarian Lev (лв) GEL - Georgian Lari (₾)
Credit cards Accepted in most places Accepted almost everywhere Accepted most places (some places are cash only) Accepted everywhere Accepted everywhere
Remote worker visa No Yes Yes No Yes
Average monthly costs $659 $2143 $1806 $1289 $1462
Rent $354 $923 $780 $567 $752
Groceries $44 $127 $158 $10 $112
Dining out $81 $207 $240 $227 $169
Cafe $18 $42 $53 $27 $45
Coworking space $49 $160 $175 $140 $125
Mobile internet $3 $21 $24 $10 $4
Public transportation $6 $17 $61 $30 $8
Taxis $6 $9 $33 $12 $14
Shared bicycles and scooters $2 $49 $19 $40 $27
Sport and cultural events $11 $97 $19 $18 $21
Museums and sights $15 $217 $35 $12 $9
Nightlife $22 $77 $50 $82 $53
Gym $9 $42 $56 $23 $33
Yoga $23 $54 $66 $62 $37
Massage $15 $101 $37 $29 $53
SIM card options Turkcell, Turk Telekom Telcel, Movistar Vodafone, T-Mobile A1, Telenor, Vivacom Magti GSM, Geocell, Beeline
Tipping Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars 10-15% for restaurants 10% at restaurants and bars, round up elsewhere 10% in restaurants, 1-2 BGN at bars and cafés 10% usually included in bill, not expected at bars or cafés.
Taxi apps BiTaksi N/A Uber, Liftago TaxiMe, TaxiStars Yandex, Bolt
Tap water Not drinkable Not drinkable Drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable
Overall cuisine A fusion of cultures creates diverse dishes with bulgur, koftes, stews, eggplants and fish Staple dishes from maize, beans, sweet potato and avocado along with meat, chili peppers and other spices Thick soups are often combined with stewed vegetables and baked meats to produce rich dishes. Gravies and creams are popular in Czech cuisine, as is beer! 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. Cuisine of the Caucasus meets regional diversity in Georgia. Emphasis on spices and meats (poultry, beef, pork and mutton) as well as soups and creams.
Local food specialities Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight Chilaquiles, tacos al pastor, chile rellenos, cochinita pibil, tostadas, pozole Vepřo knedlo zelo, Česnečka, Guláš, Svíčková na smetaně, Ovocné Knedlíky. Kebapche, Bulgarian musaka, lyutenitsa, shkember chorba, kyufte, kavarma, banitsa and tarator Kachapuri, kuchmachi, khinkali, chikhirtma, kharcho with gomi, jonjoli
Eat like a local Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee Taco stands, esquite stalls, El Fogon, El Pirata, Dona Mary's Pubs and taverns, street food stalls, local cafés Taverns, local BBQ restaurants, local markets and smaller eateries in residential and university areas. Small local restaurants, open bars, terraces and wine bars
Vegetarian / vegan options 59 listings on Happy Cow 72 listings on Happy Cow 112 options on HappyCow 20 options on HappyCow 10 options on Happy Cow