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Legality of prostitution in North America varies by country. Most countries only legalized prostitution, with the act of exchanging money for sexual services legal. The level of enforcement varies by country. One country, the United States, is unique as legality of prostitution is not the responsibility of the federal government, but rather state, territorial, and federal district's responsibility.
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Canada
Prostitution was traditionally legal as there were no laws prohibiting the exchange of sex for money or other consideration. On 20 December 2013, the Supreme Court of Canada found the laws prohibiting brothels, public communication for the purpose of prostitution, and living on the profits of prostitution to be unconstitutional. The ruling gave the Canadian parliament 12 months to rewrite the prostitution laws with a stay of effect so that the current laws remain in force. Amending legislation came into effect on 6 December 2014, which made the purchase of sexual services illegal, using the Swedish approach.
United States
Prostitution laws in the United States are determined at the state level. The practice is illegal in all but one of its 50 states and is illegal in all U.S. territories.
Nevada is the only U.S. jurisdiction which allows some legal prostitution in some of its counties. Currently 8 out of Nevada's 16 counties have active brothels. Prostitution outside these brothels is illegal throughout the state; prostitution is illegal in the major metropolitan areas (Las Vegas, Reno, and Carson City). Prostitution is heavily regulated by the state of Nevada. See Prostitution in Nevada.
Mexico
Prostitution has been regulated since 1885. Today it is decriminalized under governmental supervision, but the laws vary by state. 13 of the 31 states of Mexico regulate prostitution. Prostitution involving minors under 18 is illegal, but such activities are common. Some Mexican cities have enacted tolerance zones (zonas de tolerancia) which allow regulated prostitution and function as red light districts. In most parts of the country, pimping is illegal, although pimp-worker relationships still occur, sometimes under female pimps called madrotas. The government provides shelter for former prostitutes.
Belize
Prostitution is legal in Belize, but associated activities such as operating a brothel, loitering for the purposes of prostitution and soliciting sex are illegal.
Costa Rica
Prostitution is not illegal but many of the activities surrounding it are illegal, as the law forbids promoting or facilitating the prostitution of another, and therefore pimping, brothels, or prostitution rings are illegal. Prostitution is common and is practiced openly throughout the country, particularly in popular tourism destinations. Websites list detailed locations and hotels that allow prostitutes. These online fraternities provide forums for sex tourists to compare experiences and act as a guide for future sex tourists.
El Salvador
Prostitution itself is legal but not inducing, facilitating, promoting or giving incentives to a person to work as a prostitute (operating brothels or prostitution rings). The prostitution of children (those under 18) is also illegal. Prostitution is common in San Salvador.
Guatemala
Prostitution itself is legal but procuring is prohibited (brothels or prostitution rings are illegal).
Honduras
Prostition itself is legal but not facilitating and promoting the prostitution of another (brothels and prostitution rings). Honduras, like many Latin American countries, has to deal with child sex tourism.
Nicaragua
Prostitution itself is legal, but it is heavily discouraged by the law (brothels and other forms of procurement are illegal).
Panama
Prostitution is legal and regulated. Prostitutes are required to register and carry identification cards.
Cuba
Jineterismo is a category of illegal or semi-legal economic activities related to tourism in Cuba.
Dominican Republic
Prostitution is legal, but a third party may not derive financial gain from prostitution (brothels or similar establishments are illegal). However, the government usually does not enforce prostitution laws.
Dutch Caribbean
There are legal brothels in Bonaire, Sint Maarten, and Curacao, the largest of which is Le Mirage.
Haiti
Prostitution is illegal, but the country used to be a premier destination in the 1970s for sex tourism for adults. Since the 1940s, prostitution rings made up of Dominican women have circulated about the capital and today, are found in the suburb of Pétion-Ville. A premium is placed on Dominican women due to their lighter skin and mixed race appearance.
Puerto Rico
Prostitution in Puerto Rico has always been seen as taboo and illegal. However, due to the declining economy, the Puerto Rican government considered legalizing prostitution in 2014.