North America with Kids: Mexico, Canada, the USA and Hawai'i Compared

🌲 Our North America Story

Before Louie and Leo, Marty and I spent two years travelling the world. North America gave us some of our favourite stories from that trip.

Marty actually got there first. On his first big solo trip, he landed in New York and travelled through California and Hawai’i, just before he reached Australia and met me. He also lived in Vancouver during his solo travels, working as a dishwasher in a restaurant.

So when we arrived in Vancouver together, I had my own tour guide. We cycled around Stanley Park and explored the neighbourhoods Marty remembered. 🚲 If your family likes to get around on two wheels, Vancouver features in our guide to the best cycling cities for families.

From there we caught a bus inland to Nelson and spent the summer in Winlaw, a small community in the Kootenays. We lived with a local family through a work exchange. Their market stalls and music festivals became our whole summer, and that family taught us more than we realised at the time. The full story is in our guide to volunteering abroad with kids.

We also eloped in Las Vegas. Yes, really. 💍

Then there was Hawai’i, where we spent three months on the Big Island. Our Hawai’i guide tells that story. It ended with a stressful hour at Honolulu airport, after our flight was booked one day past the 90-day limit. We explain what went wrong in how to stay longer without a digital nomad visa.

Bigger than you

The wildlife surprised me most. Deer would dance past us like it was nothing. Elk stood in the middle of the road, and they are big.

I grew up in Queensland with snakes and spiders, yet these felt more intimidating. They’re animals bigger than you, and then there’s the thought of bears walking around at night. 🐻

North America now, as a family

Today Louie is 9 and Leo is 2. Louie followed every match of the 2026 World Cup, played across the USA, Canada and Mexico. We’d love to take the boys back to Canada, show them everything, and visit the family we stayed with in Winlaw.

The honest hurdle for us is time. The West Coast is 9 hours behind Marty’s Dutch working hours, the same problem that steered us towards Asia rather than Latin America.

Quick note on what’s what: our memories come from a couples’ trip about 12 years ago. Everything about visas, costs and family life today is researched and was checked on 28-09-2026.

The short answer:

• Mexico is the lowest-cost option here, but there’s no digital nomad visa and safety varies by state.
• Canada usually lets visitors stay up to six months and work remotely for foreign employers. Budget for high rents.
• The USA and Hawai’i give most Australian and EU visitors 90 days in total, and side trips to Canada or Mexico don’t reset it.

🗺️ Mexico, Canada, the USA and Hawai’i at a Glance

These four places sit on the same continent, but the rules for families are very different. Here’s how they compare on the things that shape a longer stay.

Checked 28-09-2026. Rules change, so always check current details with official sources before you book: the US Visa Waiver Program, visiting Canada and Mexico’s immigration institute (INM). Costs are estimates from our cost comparison of 50 destinations.

⚖️ The Honest Trade-offs

North America looks easy on paper: familiar shops, good roads, English in most places. In practice, a few things catch families out.

The shared 90-day clock

The US Visa Waiver Program gives most Australian and EU visitors 90 days. A side trip to Canada, Mexico or the Caribbean generally counts towards that same total, so it won’t reset your stay. We learnt how strict this is the hard way.

Healthcare costs

Medical care in the USA is expensive, even for small things like an ear infection. Check that your health insurance covers the USA properly, because many nomad policies exclude it or charge more for it.

Time zones

Families working European hours will find the West Coast tough, at 9 hours behind the Netherlands. Mexico City is a little easier. If your work follows Australian hours, the West Coast overlaps better with early morning or evening calls.

The budget

Outside Mexico, North America is expensive for families, especially rent. Our cost comparison shows how Mexico City stacks up against bases in Asia and Europe. Canada, the USA and Hawai’i aren’t in it yet, so check current rental listings for the area you’re considering.

School and study permits

Canada allows remote work for foreign employers on a visitor stay, but children attending a local school usually need a study permit. Most visiting families homeschool or worldschool instead. Our worldschooling legal guide covers the rules by country, and our international schooling guide explains the alternatives.

Wildlife

Bears, elk and moose are part of life in western Canada and parts of the USA. It’s exciting, and a little unnerving. Store food properly, keep your distance, and follow the local bear safety advice for any trail you walk.

Safety in Mexico

Safety varies a lot between Mexican states and cities. Check your government’s travel advice for the exact area, not just the country.

🧭 Which Place Fits Your Family?

There’s no single answer, but your priorities usually point one way.

• For outdoor learning and wildlife: British Columbia. Budget for high rents.
• For a lower budget and Spanish immersion: Mexico. Plan a residency route if you want to stay longer than a visitor stay.
• For one big road trip: the western USA, within your 90 days.
• For ocean life: Hawai’i, if your budget allows.
• For European working hours: look at the Caribbean or Central and South America, where the gap is smaller.

Not sure where to start? Our worldschooling hubs directory lists family communities across North America, and our month-by-month travel guide shows when each region is at its best. For neighbourhoods, schools and more detail on each country, read our full North America guide.

❓ FAQs: North America with Kids

Can we work remotely in the USA on an ESTA?

The Visa Waiver Program is designed for tourism and short business visits, and it doesn’t clearly address remote work. Read the official guidance and get advice if you’re unsure.

Does going to Canada or Mexico reset our 90 days in the USA?

Generally no. Time spent in Canada, Mexico or the Caribbean during a US trip counts towards the same 90 days.

How long can our family stay in Canada as visitors?

Usually up to six months. The border officer decides, and Australian and EU travellers need an eTA to fly in.

Does Mexico have a digital nomad visa?

No. Visitors can stay up to 180 days at the officer’s discretion. Longer stays need temporary residency, with income thresholds that vary by consulate.

Can our kids go to school in Canada while we visit?

Usually only with a study permit. Most visiting families homeschool or worldschool instead.

Is North America expensive for families?

Canada, the USA and Hawai’i are among the most expensive places we cover. Mexico is cheaper, at about €3,600 a month in Mexico City before school fees (our estimate).

Is Hawai’i part of North America?

Geographically it sits in the Pacific, but it’s a US state, so US entry rules apply.

Is it safe to hike with kids in bear country?

Plenty of families do it every year. Stick to busy trails, make noise, store food properly and follow the local advice.

🌲 Our Takeaways

North America isn’t the easy option. It’s expensive outside Mexico, the US border rules are strict, and the time zones are hard work for European hours.

But it gave Marty and me a wedding, a summer in Winlaw and more wildlife than I knew what to do with. One day we’d love to watch Louie’s face when an elk wanders onto the road, and see if Leo is as brave as he thinks he is. 🦌

If North America is on your list too, go in with a clear visa plan, proper insurance and a realistic budget. Then leave room for the markets, the music and the family you might end up staying with.