6 Best VPNs for Costa Rica in 2024

Regardless of your location, be it Costa Rica or abroad, chances are you’ve come across region-locked online content. This is especially common with streaming services and news sites. In order to get around these geographic restrictions, you need to change your IP address. You can do this quickly and easily by using a Virtual Private Network (VPN).

Connecting to a VPN server makes it look as if you’re browsing from another location. For example, connecting to a server in Costa Rica while in the US gives you a Costa Rican IP address. This lets you access geo-blocked content which is ideal for Costa Ricans who are traveling abroad but want to access home streaming services and websites. Using a VPN also provides a greater level of online privacy, particularly useful when you’re traveling overseas and using public wi-fi.

This article will explain how to use a VPN, answer some common VPN questions, and talk in detail about all the best VPNs for Costa Rica. First, here’s a quick summary of each:

Best VPNs for Costa Rica:

1. NordVPN: The best VPN for Costa Rica. 5,000+ servers worldwide, unlimited bandwidth for streaming Costa Rican TV abroad. No-logs service with 24/7 support and Double VPN servers. 30-day money-back guarantee.
   TIP In our testing we found that the cheapest NordVPN plan (Standard) works perfectly for Costa Rica.
2. Surfshark: The best budget VPN for Costa Rica. Unlimited simultaneous connections as well as unlimited bandwidth. 24/7 support and user-friendly apps. Strong security with Double VPN servers.
3. IPVanish: Fast speeds for streaming and allows unlimited simultaneous connections. 24/7 support and keeps you secure with its zero-logs policy.
4. ExpressVPN: Fast and reliable servers. Unlocks Costa Rican TV and works with Netflix. Secure with high-end encryption and offers 24/7 live chat support.
5. CyberGhost: A beginner-friendly VPN for Costa Rica. Unlimited bandwidth and works with Netflix. Strict no-logs policy and seven simultaneous connections.
6. PrivateVPN: Fast servers in Costa Rica. User-friendly apps and remote help and installation. Works with Netflix and BBC iPlayer. True no-logs policy.

Criteria for the best Costa Rica VPNs

When it comes to VPNs, there are many factors to consider. To save you some time, we found the best VPNs for Costa Rica by ensuring they met the following requirements:

• Servers across dozens of countries including Costa Rica
• Fast speeds and unlimited bandwidth for browsing and streaming
• High level of security with encryption and a no-logs policy
• User-friendly apps for desktop and mobile platforms
• Multiple simultaneous connections per account
• Customer support available via live chat and email
• Good value for money, including discounts and money-back guarantees

This is just an overview, but you can read more bout how we test and rank our VPNs below.

The best VPNs for Costa Rica- At a glance

We’ve compared the most important features for the top VPNs here. Prefer to read the in-depth reviews? Start with NordVPN – our #1 choice for Costa Rica.

Best VPNs for Costa Rica

Here’s our list of the best VPNs for Costa Rica:

1. NordVPN

Nov 2024

NordVPN is our top choice VPN for Costa Rica. It’s one of the largest VPN providers around. It has approximately 5,000 servers in nearly 60 countries, including Costa Rica. Unlimited bandwidth is available, so you can browse and stream without having to worry about buffering or lag. This VPN is an excellent option for unlocking websites and services around the world. It works with Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+, allowing you to watch your home streaming libraries while traveling.

With NordVPN, you’ll have the choice of various specialty options. For example, NordVPN offers P2P-optimized servers. There are even Double VPN and Onion Over VPN servers for improved privacy protection. This is a no-logs service with 256-bit AES encryption, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and a kill switch. You can use NordVPN to connect up to six devices at once while 24/7 support is also available.

Connect to servers in Costa Rica and abroad with NordVPN’s apps for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, and Android TV. You can also use Chrome, Edge, and Firefox browser extensions. However, use with routers requires manual installation.

BEST VPN FOR COSTA RICA:NordVPN has a large network of over 5,000 servers. Offers unlimited bandwidth and allows up to six simultaneous connections. No-logs service with 24/7 support and highly secure with encryption and Double VPN servers. Thanks to its 30-day money-back guarantee, you can try NordVPN risk-free.

Read our full NordVPN review.

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2. Surfshark

Surfshark is an excellent budget choice VPN for Costa Rica. It lets you connect as many devices as you want simultaneously — great if you’re planning on sharing your VPN with family. With it, you’ll be able to access over 3,000 servers in 100 countries, including Costa Rica and the USA. Speeds are consistently high enough for uninterrupted browsing and streaming. You can use Surfshark to access your home Netflix while abroad. In fact, it works with more than 30 Netflix libraries.

This VPN service has plenty of security features to protect your privacy. For starters, there’s 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch feature, and DNS leak protection. Surfshark operates a strict no-logs policy while its CleanWeb feature blocks ads, trackers, and malware. Plus you’ll have access to MultiHop servers for an extra layer of security. If you do have problems, there’s 24/7 support via live chat and email

With a Surfshark subscription, you’ll be able to download apps for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, and Amazon Fire TV. You’ll also find browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox. Surfshark can be used with routers, but manual setup is necessary.

EXCELLENT BUDGET VPN:Surfshark works with stubborn services both in Costa Rica and abroad. Unlimited bandwidth and unlimited simultaneous connections. Includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full Surfshark review.

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3. IPVanish

IPVanish has fast and reliable servers in San Jose, Costa Rica, and approximately 2,000 servers in around 75 other countries. Speeds are more than fast enough for browsing and streaming 1080p video, and IPVanish offers unlimited bandwidth with absolutely no throttling. When it comes to connecting multiple devices, IPVanish allows unlimited simultaneous connections per account.

This service has a zero-logs policy and keeps you safe online through its use of 256-bit AES encryption. Further security features include DNS leak protection and a kill switch which cuts your internet traffic should the VPN connection drop. Live chat support is available 24/7 should you have any questions. Unlike most VPN providers, IPVanish owns and operates all of its servers, reducing the risk of third party interference.

IPVanish provides apps for desktop (Windows and Mac) as well as mobile (Android and iOS). There’s also an app for Amazon Fire TV, while routers can be configured manually.

UNLIMITED CONNECTIONS:IPVanish has reliable servers in Costa Rica and abroad. Live chat support is available 24/7. Keeps your data secure with encryption and a zero-logs policy. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full IPVanish review.

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4. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN has over 3,000 servers in 94 countries including Costa Rica. Aside from having an extensive server network, it offers very fast speeds and unlimited bandwidth. This makes it highly suitable for unrestricted streaming and torrenting. When it comes to unblocking geo-restricted content, ExpressVPN is very strong. You’ll be able to use it with Costa Rica TV and streaming services such as Netflix.

This is a highly secure service that offers 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch, and DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC leak protection. ExpressVPN is headquartered in the British Virgin Islands where there are no data retention requirements. Besides, it doesn’t store any identifying data. Live chat and email support is available 24/7. With an ExpressVPN account you can have up to five simultaneous connections.

You can access ExpressVPN servers via the apps for Windows, Android, Mac, iOS, and Linux. Browser extensions are offered for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge. Furthermore, custom firmware is available for routers.

FAST AND SECURE:ExpressVPN has over 3,000 servers in 94 countries including Costa Rica. Works with Netflix and Costa Rica TV channels such as Canal 13. Easy to use, includes 24/7 support, and has 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full ExpressVPN review.

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5. CyberGhost

CyberGhost has the largest server network of any VPN on this list, plus about two dozen servers in Costa Rica, making it easy for you to access any region-locked content from the country. This VPN has a huge network of more than 9,000 servers located in around 90 countries. Another advantage of CyberGhost is its high-speed connections and unlimited bandwidth, allowing for lag and buffer-free streaming.

If you have multiple internet-connected devices, you’ll be happy to learn CyberGhost allows seven simultaneous connections. Better still, thanks to this VPN’s strong focus on security, you can rest easy knowing that your online activities are private. It includes 256-bit AES encryption, DNS leak protection, and an automatic kill switch. A strict no-logs policy ensures your personal information only stays with you.

CyberGhost has apps for the following platforms: Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, Amazon Fire TV, and Android TV. Browser extensions are offered for Chrome and Firefox. Manual configuration is required for use with routers.

OVER 9,000 SERVERS:CyberGhost has servers in 90+ countries including Costa Rica. Very fast speeds and unlimited bandwidth. Lets you connect seven devices at once. Also offers 24/7 support and has a strict no-logs policy. 45-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full CyberGhost review.

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6. PrivateVPN

PrivateVPN offers very fast servers which let you browse and stream without interruption. With no bandwidth limits, you’re unlikely to experience lag or buffering while streaming. This VPN has servers in several dozen countries, including San Jose, Costa Rica. Aside from accessing Costa Rica TV, PrivateVPN works consistently with streaming services, including Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and HBO Max. It also lets you secure up to 10 devices at the same time.

This VPN service has live chat support and even the option of remote help and installation. PrivateVPN states that it has a zero data-logging policy and doesn’t know what its users are doing online. It has a high level of security with features including 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch, and DNS leak protection. There’s also a stealth mode for bypassing even the strictest online blocking.

With PrivateVPN, you’ll have access to its apps for Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, and Fire TV. Manual configuration is required for use with compatible routers.

CONSISTENT UNBLOCKING:PrivateVPN works with Netflix, BBC iPlayer and more. Fast servers in dozens of countries such as Costa Rica. Connect 10 devices simultaneously. Includes encryption. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full PrivateVPN review.

How to use a VPN in Costa Rica

While you shouldn’t have any issues using a VPN in Costa Rica, we’ve provided some step-by-step instructions to make the process even smoother:

Here’s how to set up a VPN in Costa Rica:

1. First, you’ll need to sign up with a VPN service. We particularly recommend NordVPN.
2. The next step is to download and install the appropriate VPN app (or browser extension) for your device.
3. Open the VPN app and connect to a server in Costa Rica. This will give you a Costa Rican IP address.
4. You now have a new IP address which should allow you to unblock geo-restricted content abroad.
5. Still having trouble? You may need to clear your browser’s cache and cookies. Alternatively, contact your VPN’s customer support for further assistance.

Methodology: how we choose the best VPNs for Costa Rica

Check out the criteria we use to select the best VPNs for Costa Rica:

1. Server locations: It’s important that our VPNs have a decent number of server locations spanning the globe. Even if a VPN provider doesn’t have servers in Costa Rica, we search for VPNs that have servers nearby to ensure you can access the sites and services that matter to you. 
2. Unlocking ability: Services like BBC iPlayer, HBO Max, and Hulu prevent users from accessing their home media libraries when they’re outside of the country. Before including them on our lists, we test VPNs to ensure they can bypass the geo-restrictions of these popular streaming platforms.
3. Speed: We conduct speed tests for all the VPNs we choose to ensure you don’t experience endless lag or choppy streams. The tests we perform are across multiple server locations to check speeds are consistent in servers nearby and servers further away from your physical location.
4. Privacy and security: We expect several privacy standards from all of our VPNs, including 256-bit encryption at a minimum, to ensure your connection remains watertight. Even better if there is leak protection, a kill switch, and malware blocking. We’ve studied over 140 VPN logging policies to find those that best protect your privacy.
5. Available apps: Many users like to connect on various devices, so we check VPNs to see if their apps are available across major platforms like desktops and smartphones. This includes IOS, Android, Mac, PC, and others.
6. Customer support: 24/7 customer support is our preference with VPNs to ensure you have help available when needed. Most VPNs we choose have live chat, but some offer this in addition to a ticketing solution and email support.
7. Value: Some VPNs offer unlimited device limits, while some cap the number of concurrent connections. We select VPNs that offer a minimum of 5+ connections per account. We also only select VPNs that offer a money-back guarantee to ensure your complete satisfaction.

Want to know more about how we test VPNs? Check out our VPN testing methodology guide.

Best VPNs for Costa Rica: FAQs