Useful links for Florida
In brief
Practical official tools for Canadians in Florida — visiting or buying. Always verify on the official site. Not legal, tax, or medical advice.
Coming from Canada
1. Border and stay
- I-94 (CBP) — admission date and travel history
- Travel advice — United States (travel.gc.ca)
- Our guides: I-94 for Canadians · 30-day registration
2. Health
3. Phone
- Fizz Canada+USA — Canada–US plan
- Fongo — keep a Canadian number on Wi‑Fi (not for 911; bank SMS sometimes missing)
- Airalo US eSIM — data for short trips
- Our guide: Phone in Florida
4. Money
- Wise — FX and USD account
- Exchange rates — Bank of Canada
- Our guide: Paying in US dollars
5. Driving, tolls, breakdown
- SunPass — cheaper tolls
- Toll-By-Plate — plate billing
- ParkMobile — parking
- FL511 — traffic (not roadside help)
Highway breakdown / emergency
- Emergency (injuries, danger): 911
- Disabled vehicle / incident: *FHP (*347) — free via participating Florida cell carriers
- If *347 does not connect (common with a Canadian SIM, Fizz, or eSIM), call the regional FHP centre:
- Miami-Dade: 1-800-240-0453
- Broward / Palm Beach / Turnpike: 561-357-4000
- Tampa: 1-866-369-4613
- Orlando: 407-737-2200
- Fort Myers: 1-866-833-2715
- Save these numbers before you leave: *347 may not work on a Canadian SIM.
- Limited free help (tire, fuel, boost): Road Rangers via *347 (coverage varies)
- Official: Star FHP (FLHSMV)
- Our guides: Driving to Florida · Driver licence
6. Weather and hurricanes
7. Everyday
- Publix — grocery (app and deals)
- Costco — Canadian membership works in US warehouses
- Sam's Club — US Costco equivalent (separate membership)
- Florida Lottery — in person only
Leave without forgetting anything
The complete checklist: more than 65 items to tick off, from 2 months before you leave until you're back. 6-page PDF, 2026 rules.
See the checklist ($9)Buying
1. Property search
- Zillow
- Realtor.com
- Redfin
- Our guide: Buying a Florida condo
2. Property taxes
- Miami-Dade Property Appraiser
- Broward County Property Appraiser
- Palm Beach County Property Appraiser
3. Tax rules
- IRS Form 8840 (PDF)
- Our guides: Form 8840 · Renting out a condo — taxes
4. Where to live
The complete guide: buying a condo in Florida (2026)
The market region by region, the 12-step process, 20 questions for the association, every cost, financing, estate planning and resale. 20-page PDF.
See the guide ($39)External links go to third-party sites. Always verify information on the official site. Escale Floride is not affiliated with the governments named here. Affiliate links, if any, are disclosed.