Sustainable Destinations for Nomad Families: 10 Greener Bases and the Catch With Each
We’re Not Perfect, and That’s the Point
Let’s start with the honest bit. I’m Australian, and being from Australia, it’s hard not to fly. Home is a long way from almost everywhere.
So this isn’t a guide from a family with a spotless footprint. It’s a guide from a family trying to make better choices where we can.
Here’s what that looks like for Marty, Louie, Leo and me day to day. We don’t own a car. We get around by bike, we cook vegetarian, and we try to buy local, usually at markets. When a train or ferry can replace a flight, we take it.
Louie fell in love with trains on our trips to Berlin (more in our Europe guide for nomad families). We reached Helsinki on the overnight ferry from Stockholm. 🚆
Where you live matters too. Some places make greener habits easy, with bike lanes, good public transport and fresh local food. Others make them hard work.
This guide covers 10 sustainable destinations for nomad families: what makes each one greener, who it suits, and the catch. We’ve marked the ones we’ve actually been to.
What Makes a Destination Greener?
We looked for places where low-impact family life is realistic every day, not just on holiday. That means:
- Getting around without a car: cycling, walking or reliable public transport.
- Clean energy: a high share of renewable electricity, or a serious city climate plan.
- Nature close by: parks, forests or coastline you can reach without a long drive.
- Protecting what’s there: conservation fees, protected areas and limits on overtourism.
Some places make it much harder. During our month in Da Nang, plastic bags came with almost everything we bought, and honestly it felt a bit scary. In the Netherlands, shops stopped handing out free plastic bags back in 2016, so we’d forgotten how normal they still are in many countries.
No city is perfectly green, either. Every destination below has a catch, and we’ve listed it.
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1. Copenhagen, Denmark
🔎 Researched, not visited yet
Copenhagen is the city other cities copy when they build bike lanes. Families ride cargo bikes to school, and in summer they swim in the clean harbour baths.
Why It’s Greener
Cycling is simply the normal way to get around. By 2022, the city had cut its emissions by around 80 percent, but it dropped its goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2025.
Even so, few European capitals make car-free family life this easy. Our guide to cycling cities for families explains why.
Who It Suits
Families who want to live without a car in a safe, orderly city. Den Blå Planet, Denmark’s national aquarium, and the harbour swimming spots are big hits with kids.
The Catch
It’s one of the most expensive cities in Europe, and rentals are hard to find. Winters are long and dark.
Visas
EU families like ours can live in Denmark freely. Denmark has no digital nomad visa, so non-EU families are limited to Schengen visitor rules. More in our Denmark guide.
2. Costa Rica
🔎 Researched, not visited yet
Costa Rica built its reputation on rainforests, wildlife and protecting both.
Why It’s Greener
In a normal year, well over 95 percent of the country’s electricity comes from renewables, mostly hydropower. The state electricity provider ICE reported 98.6 percent for 2025.
The catch is that it depends on rain. In 2024, an El Niño drought pushed the renewable share down to between 86 and 91 percent, and fossil fuel plants were switched back on. Costa Rica’s national plan aims for net zero emissions by 2050.
Who It Suits
Nature-first families. Sloths, toucans and the Monteverde cloud forest make outdoor learning easy. Our Costa Rica guide compares the regions and real costs.
The Catch
Most families need a car outside the main towns. Costs are higher than many people expect, and the rainy season is very wet.
Visas
The Stay for Remote Workers requires income of at least US$3,000 a month, or US$4,000 if your family joins you. It lasts one year and can be extended once, as long as you spent at least 180 days in the country in the first year. Check current details with Costa Rica’s immigration department.
3. Lisbon, Portugal
🔎 Researched. We’ve been to Portugal, but not Lisbon itself
Portugal is where Louie took his very first flight, and that story is in our Portugal guide. Lisbon itself is still on our list.
Why It’s Greener
Lisbon was European Green Capital in 2020. Portugal produces a large share of its electricity from wind, water and sun.
Trams, the metro and trains get you around the city, and the Cascais line runs out to the beaches.
Who It Suits
Families who want a mild climate, a big international community and life without a car. Neighbourhoods and costs are in our Lisbon guide.
The Catch
Rent. Housing costs in Lisbon have climbed sharply, and the steep cobbled hills are hard work with a pram.
Visas
Portugal’s D8 digital nomad visa requires about €3,680 a month (four times the minimum wage), plus about €460 for a spouse and €276 per child. EU families don’t need it. Our Portugal visa guide explains the maths, and you can check current details on Portugal’s official visa portal.
4. Bali, Indonesia
🔎 Researched, not visited yet
When we looked into Bali, we found beautiful accommodation for a great price, which isn’t always possible elsewhere. It also has one of the strongest eco-building and plant-based food scenes in Asia.
Why It’s Greener
You’ll find bamboo schools and homes, organic cafés, and the subak rice terrace system, a centuries-old way of sharing water between farms.
Bali also charges international tourists a levy that helps protect its culture and environment. Check the current amount before you travel.
Who It Suits
Families looking for outdoor learning and an established worldschooling community, especially around Ubud. Our guide to living in Bali covers where families base themselves.
The Catch
Bali has a serious plastic waste problem, heavy traffic, and growing pressure on water and land from tourism. The green side and the strain sit side by side.
Visas
Indonesia’s E33G Remote Worker Visa is designed for people employed by companies outside Indonesia. Family options aren’t clearly confirmed on official pages, so check current details on Indonesia’s official eVisa site before you plan.
5. Vancouver, Canada
📍 We’ve been here: as a couple, before the kids
Marty had lived in Vancouver on his solo travels, so when we arrived together I had my own tour guide. We cycled around Stanley Park, and it’s still one of my favourite city rides. 🚲 The rest of that trip is in our North America guide.
Why It’s Greener
Vancouver has separated bike lanes, the SkyTrain and ferries, with mountains and ocean within reach of the city centre.
Who It Suits
Outdoor families who want city life and wilderness in the same week. The wider province is in our British Columbia guide.
The Catch
Rents are very high. The West Coast is also 9 hours behind the Netherlands, which is a real problem for Marty’s working hours.
Visas
Canada has no digital nomad visa. Visitors can usually stay up to six months and work remotely for employers or clients outside Canada. Most visitors need an eTA to fly in, and children attending a local school need a study permit. Check current details with the Government of Canada.
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6. Chiang Mai, Thailand
🔎 Researched. We arrive around Christmas 2026
We’re heading to Chiang Mai with Louie and Leo at the end of this year. We’ll update this section once we’ve lived it.
Why It’s Greener
The walkable old city is full of markets and vegetarian food, and there are organic farms close by. Ethical sanctuaries like Elephant Nature Park don’t offer elephant riding.
Who It Suits
Families who want a lower-cost base with a big worldschooling and nomad community.
The Catch
Burning season. From roughly February to April, air quality in Chiang Mai can be very poor, and many families leave. Our Chiang Mai guide explains when to go.
Visas
Thailand’s rules have changed a lot, and “easy visa runs” are no longer a safe plan. Our Thailand visa guide covers the current options, including the Destination Thailand Visa.
7. Ljubljana, Slovenia
📍 We’ve been here: as a couple, before the kids
Marty and I spent time in Ljubljana and at Lake Bled before the boys came along. The swan boat story is in our Slovenia guide. What stayed with us most in Ljubljana was the car-free centre.
Why It’s Greener
Ljubljana was European Green Capital in 2016. The old town has been pedestrianised since 2007.
Inside the pedestrian zone, small electric vehicles called Kavalirs give free rides, mainly for older and less mobile people.
Who It Suits
Families who want a small, calm, bike-friendly capital with mountains and lakes close by.
The Catch
The expat community is small, rentals are limited, and Slovene takes effort.
Visas
Since 21-11-2025, Slovenia has offered a digital nomad residence permit of up to one year, and family members can join straight away. It requires about €3,360 a month (twice the average net salary) and can’t be extended. Check current details with the Slovenian government.
8. Wellington, New Zealand
🔎 Researched. Marty visited on his solo travels
Our New Zealand chapter was nine months at Milford Sound, and that story is in our New Zealand guide. Marty passed through Wellington on his solo travels, and it’s high on our list as a family.
Why It’s Greener
Wellington is a compact, walkable harbour city. Zealandia, a fenced urban eco-sanctuary, is bringing native birds back into the city.
Who It Suits
Families who value nature, museums and a strong local culture.
The Catch
The wind is real, and costs are high. Since September 2024, Te Papa, the national museum, has charged international visitors aged 16 and over NZ$35. Entry stays free for New Zealanders and for children under 16.
Visas
New Zealand has no digital nomad visa, but since 27-01-2025 visitors can work remotely for overseas employers. Australians can live and work there. EU visitors need an NZeTA and the tourism levy. Check current details with Immigration New Zealand.
9. Madeira, Portugal
🔎 Researched. We’ve been to mainland Portugal, not Madeira
Madeira is a volcanic island of levadas (old irrigation channels turned walking trails) and ancient forest, and it’s actively managing the pressure from visitors.
Why It’s Greener
The Laurisilva forest is UNESCO World Heritage listed. Since 2025, non-residents over 12 pay a fee on official hiking trails, which goes towards trail maintenance and conservation.
The fee is now €4.50 in most cases. Everyone, including children, must also book a 30-minute entry slot through the regional SIMplifica portal.
Who It Suits
Hiking families who want a mild climate and European infrastructure. Madeira also features in our guide to underrated islands for nomad families.
The Catch
Steep, winding roads usually mean you’ll need a car. Funchal and the popular trails get busy, so check current trail fees and slots before you go.
Visas
The rules are the same as mainland Portugal. See our Portugal visa guide.
10. Helsinki, Finland
📍 We’ve been here: with Louie, and with Leo on the way
We arrived in Helsinki the slow way, on the overnight ferry from Stockholm. Louie was with us, and Leo was still growing in my belly. 🤰
A Dutch friend of ours had moved to Helsinki, so we stayed in the centre and had our own local guide to show us around.
Why It’s Greener
Helsinki aims to be carbon neutral by 2030. Trams, the metro and ferries make car-free life easy, and there’s forest and sea within the city limits.
Who It Suits
Families who love nature, calm and very good public services.
The Catch
Winters are long and dark, and costs are high. Finland’s free public schools are for residents, not families on a short stay.
Visas
EU families like ours can live in Finland freely. Finland doesn’t offer a digital nomad visa, so non-EU families are limited to Schengen visitor rules.
The Flight Problem: The Elephant in the Room
Here’s the uncomfortable truth. For most nomad families, flights make up a bigger share of our footprint than anything a destination does. A bike-friendly city can’t cancel out a long-haul flight.
We can’t avoid flying completely. These habits help, though:
- Stay longer. One flight and three months in a place beats three flights and a month in each. Slow travel is the greenest habit we know.
- Go overland when you can. Trains, night trains and ferries often work better with kids than airports do.
- Fly direct. Take-off and landing burn the most fuel.
- Keep the daily habits. Going car-free, eating vegetarian and buying local still count.
Want to see your own numbers? These free tools give you a rough estimate:
- ICAO Carbon Emissions Calculator: the UN aviation body’s flight calculator. Enter your airports and cabin class.
- Carbon Footprint Calculator: covers household energy, travel and lifestyle.
- ClimateHero: a short quiz that helps you set reduction goals.
For practical habits on the road, read our guide to sustainable family travel.
Sustainable Destinations: FAQs
What is the most sustainable destination for nomad families?
There’s no single answer. Copenhagen and Ljubljana make car-free family life easy, and Costa Rica leads on renewable electricity in most years. Staying longer in one place usually matters more than which city you choose.
Is Costa Rica really powered by 100% renewable energy?
Not quite. In most years, well over 95 percent of its electricity is renewable, and ICE reported 98.6 percent for 2025. During the 2024 drought, the share dropped to between 86 and 91 percent.
Did Copenhagen become carbon neutral by 2025?
No. The city dropped that goal in 2022, after cutting its emissions by around 80 percent. It’s still one of the easiest cities in Europe to live in without a car.
Can we work remotely on a tourist visa in these countries?
Not always. Permission to enter a country doesn’t automatically mean permission to work there. Canada and New Zealand allow visitors to work remotely for overseas employers, while Costa Rica, Portugal, Slovenia and Indonesia have specific remote work permits. Check each country’s official immigration site before you plan a long stay.
Are sustainable cities more expensive for families?
Often, yes. Copenhagen, Helsinki, Vancouver and Wellington are all costly. Chiang Mai and Bali are cheaper, but each comes with its own environmental trade-offs. Our cost of living comparison for 50 destinations can help you plan.
How can nomad families reduce their flight footprint?
Stay longer in each place, travel overland where you can, and fly direct. A flight calculator like ICAO’s shows the impact before you book.
Our Takeaways: Greener, Not Perfect
No destination will make your family sustainable on its own. What a good one does is make the better choice the easy one: the bike instead of the car, the market instead of the supermarket, the train instead of the plane.
For us, that looks like no car, lots of cycling, vegetarian meals and staying long enough to find our local market. It’s not perfect. Being Australian, we’ll always fly more than we’d like.
So pick a base that fits your family’s budget, visa options and values. Then stay a while. That’s the greenest thing most of us can do. 🌍
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