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Panama City 🇵🇦
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Playa del Carmen 🇲🇽
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| Population | 880,691 | 259,453 |
| Official language(s) | Spanish | Spanish |
| Level of English | Low | Moderate |
| Main airport | Tocumen International Airport (PTY) | Cancun International Airport (CUN) |
| Most common months to visit | December - April | January - May, October - December |
| Currency | PAB - Panamanian Balboa (B/.) | MXN - Mexican Peso ($) |
| Credit cards | Accepted almost everywhere but not in smaller shops. | Accepted almost everywhere |
| Remote worker visa | Yes | Yes |
| Average monthly costs | $2359 | $2143 |
| Rent | $1036 | $923 |
| Groceries | $236 | $127 |
| Dining out | $371 | $207 |
| Cafe | $43 | $42 |
| Coworking space | $157 | $160 |
| Mobile internet | $21 | $21 |
| Public transportation | $12 | $17 |
| Taxis | $48 | $9 |
| Shared bicycles and scooters | $0 | $49 |
| Sport and cultural events | $35 | $97 |
| Museums and sights | $9 | $217 |
| Nightlife | $117 | $77 |
| Gym | $37 | $42 |
| Yoga | $163 | $54 |
| Massage | $75 | $101 |
| SIM card options | Claro, Movistar | Telcel, Movistar |
| Tipping | 10% in restaurants, round up elsewhere | 10-15% for restaurants |
| Taxi apps | Uber, Tu Chofer | N/A |
| Tap water | 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 |
| Local food specialities | Sancocho de gallina, carimanola, empanadas, tamales panameños, tostones, ropa vieja | Chilaquiles, tacos al pastor, chile rellenos, cochinita pibil, tostadas, pozole |
| 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 |
| Vegetarian / vegan options | 7 options on HappyCow | 72 listings on Happy Cow |