Increasingly, online services are using geo-restriction measures to prevent users in other countries from gaining access. Most commonly, this involves checking to see if your IP address comes from a specific region. However, by connecting to a VPN, you’re assigned a temporary, country-specific IP address and can trick these services into letting you use them abroad. By choosing a VPN server in Panama, you’ll be able to use Panamanian services no matter where you actually are.
Most people assume that their online activities are private, but in reality, numerous organizations can, and do, monitor what you do online. Your Internet Service Provider (ISP), employer or university network administrator, and even the government can see what you get up to on the internet. VPNs prevent this kind of snooping by encrypting your network traffic, making it unreadable without the correct decryption key.
How to get an IP address for Panama with a VPN
Here’s how to get a Panama IP address with a VPN in just a few steps:
- First, sign up to one of the services below (we recommend ExpressVPN).
- Next, download and install the app. Make sure to get the appropriate app for your device as there will be a few different versions available.
- Connect to one of your VPN’s Panamanian servers.
- Try accessing a geo-blocked site. It should load almost immediately and you should be free to browse.
- If you’re having problems, clearing your cache and cookies then reloading the page usually fixes the issue.
There is plenty of detail below on each of the operators we feature in this post, but if you are not going to read to the end, here’s a summary list of the best VPNs for getting an IP address from Panama:
- ExpressVPN: Our top choice for getting an IP address for Panama! A huge network of servers can unblock just about anything from almost anywhere. Apps are private and secure. Includes 30-day money-back guarantee.
- Surfshark: Servers in 14 Latin American countries, including Panama. Fast speeds. highly reliable and secure. No logs policy. Works to stream US TV platforms.
- PrivateVPN: Up-and-coming low-cost provider that is gaining a solid reputation for privacy and for unblocking streaming sites.
- Private Internet Access: Provides servers in 90+ countries, Panama included. Good speeds and operates a comprehensive no-logs policy.
- VyprVPN: Known for their high security and privacy standards. Apps are easy to use.
- Ivacy: Low-cost provider that keeps up with the bigger players in terms of privacy and security.
If you’d like to watch an event live, we strongly recommend testing your VPN with the steps above well in advance. This way, you’ll have plenty of time to seek help from the customer support team if anything doesn’t work as expected, and are less likely to miss any of the broadcast.
PREMIUM PROTECTION FOR FREE: Only need a VPN for a short time? Perhaps you’re going abroad on vacation or only want to watch one specific event? In these cases, you can simply sign up for ExpressVPN and make use of its 30-day money-back guarantee. While upfront payment is required, you can cancel at any point to claim a full refund, effectively giving you risk-free, short-term coverage.
Deciding which VPN to use is often difficult, in part because there are so many services to choose from.
To simplify things, when researching which VPNs are best at getting a Panamanian IP address, we only considered those that fit all of the criteria below:
Criteria for selecting the best VPNs to get a Panama IP address
- Offers at least one server in Panama, though preferably more
- Protects users with 256-bit encryption and a suite of additional security features
- Logs no personally identifiable information
- Provides reliable, high-speed connections
- Has apps for all the most common operating systems
The best VPNs for getting an IP address from Panama
Here’s a list of the best VPNs for getting an IP address from Panama:
1. ExpressVPN
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.ExpressVPN.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
ExpressVPN currently offers access to more than 2,000 servers in 94 countries (including Panama). Its connections are reliable and its speeds are high enough to stream live, high-definition video without interruption. Additionally, ExpressVPN excels at bypassing regional restrictions, meaning you can use it to unblock platforms like Telemetro from anywhere in the world.
Your activities are kept private at all times using a combination of 256-bit encryption, a kill switch (desktop versions only), and protection against DNS and IPv6 leaks. While ExpressVPN doesn’t log any information that could identify you, it allows users to sign up using Bitcoin and a disposable email address for a second layer of anonymity. Live chat is available 24/7 should you run into any problems.
ExpressVPN has apps for Linux, MacOS, Windows, iOS, and Android. Further, it comes with custom firmware for select routers to make installation as easy as possible.
Pros:
- High speeds are great for downloading and streaming
- Strong privacy and security features
- Large server network
- Excellent unblocking ability
- 24/7 support via chat
Cons:
- More expensive than other providers
Our score:
BEST VPN FOR PANAMA:ExpressVPN is our #1 choice for getting an IP address from Panama as it’s fast, puts your privacy first, and can unblock several Panamanian services abroad. You can even try it risk-free as it includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our review of ExpressVPN.
2. Surfshark
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.Surfshark.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
Surfshark is a provider based in Panama that was launched in 2019. It is a highly subscribed VPN that is praised by consumers worldwide due to its secure apps, and reliable performance. Apps are available for all devices and they provide watertight AES encryption, split tunneling, a kill-switch, obfuscation, and DNS leak protection.
It also has a solid no logs policy, which means it never has any records of what its users do. For added security, it has diskless servers that run in RAM. This means it can pull the plug on any server, should it be raided by the government.
Servers are available in 65+ countries and it has over 3000 servers in total. This includes servers in Panama to let you get an IP address there to access home services there from abroad (or to use them privately while in Panama). To top things off, this VPN works with Netflix US, iPlayer, and other popular international services.
Pros:
- Connect an unlimited number of devices
- Super fast Wireguard protocol
- Works with Netflix US
- Servers in Panama and 14 Latin American countries
- Strong privacy and security features
Cons:
- Some servers are faster than others
Our score:
FAST AND SECURE:Surfshark is perfect for people with many devices or families. Allows unlimited connections. Fast WireGuard protocol. Servers in 65+ countries, including Panama. Easy to use. Many advanced features, including a kill switch, obfuscation, split tunneling, and malware filtering.
Check out our full review of Surfshark.
3. PrivateVPN
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.PrivateVPN.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
PrivateVPN has a smaller network than some similar services; it has 200+ servers covering 63+ countries, including one server in Panama. However, it offers better-than-average speeds, making it ideal for those looking to stream Panamanian TV abroad. This service can unblock various popular platforms including Netflix US (and many other Netflix libraries), Telemetro, and TVMAX from wherever you are in the world. With six simultaneous connections permitted, PrivateVPN lets you protect all of your devices at once.
256-bit encryption, a kill switch (Windows only), and IPv6, DNS, and WebRTC leak protection are all enabled by default. PrivateVPN boasts a strict no-logs policy and the ability to pay with Bitcoin, guaranteeing your privacy even in the face of governmental pressure. You can reach customer support 22 hours per day (except 1PM-3PM PST), and staff are even able to remotely install the software for you.
PrivateVPN apps are available for Windows, Android, MacOS, and iOS devices. It works on Linux-based systems and select wireless routers but must be manually installed.
Pros:
- Very fast, reliable connections
- No-logs policy
- Strong encryption
- Good unblocking capabilities
Cons:
- Fewer servers than most
Our score:
FAST, FLAWLESS STREAMING:PrivateVPN offers very high speeds and strong security, and can unblock numerous popular platforms, meaning it’s great for streaming Panamanian TV online. It includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Here’s our full review of PrivateVPN.
4. Private Internet Access
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
- FireTV
Website: www.PrivateInternetAccess.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
Private Internet Access has servers in more countries than most VPNs on the market, and this includes servers in Panama. In our most recent speed tests, PIA averaged 117 Mbps which is more than fast enough for 4K streaming. We were able to successfully access Netflix US and UK as well as BBC iPlayer with this VPN. It’s also worth knowing that PIA lets you connect unlimited devices at once.
Your security is taken seriously by PIA as evidenced by its use of 256-bit AES encryption. It also offers a kill switch, DNS leak protection, and even an ad blocker. We’re also impressed by the fact that PIA doesn’t keep any logs (not even the connection logs that many other VPNs keep). If you need any help then you can always take advantage of the live chat and email support.
To get an IP address for Panama, you’ll want to download a PIA app for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, or Amazon Fire TV. Note that you also have the option of using a browser extension (available for Chrome and Firefox). PIA is compatible with select routers but manual setup is required.
Pros:
- Servers in over 90 countries including Panama
- Good, consistent speeds for streaming and torrenting
- No limit to the number of devices you can connect
- High level of security with extras including an ad blocker
Cons:
- Doesn’t work in China
- Apps feel a little cluttered
Our score:
SERVERS IN 90+ COUNTRIES:Private Internet Access has a global network of servers which includes servers in Panama. Good speeds for streaming and worked with Netflix US in testing. Ad blocker included. 30-day money-back guarantee.
Here’s our full Private Internet Access review.
5. VyprVPN
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.VyprVPN.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
VyprVPN has more than 700 servers spread across 64 countries, including Panama. It’s a high-speed service, and enables you to bypass geo-blocking on services like Mall TV and Telemetro with ease. Base subscriptions allow you to use VyprVPN on up to three devices at once, while premium plans increase this to five.
This service takes your security and privacy seriously and it shows. There’s 256-bit encryption, a kill switch (in desktop apps), and DNS leak protection included. VyprVPN has its own protocol, called Chameleon, which obfuscates your traffic, concealing the fact that you’re even using a VPN at all. While this VPN used to log personal information, this is no longer the case and VyprVPN is completely log-free. You can reach customer support 24/7 via live chat.
This provider offers apps for Windows, MacOS, Android, iOS, and Blackphone. Manual configuration is required for use with Linux systems and select internet routers.
Pros:
- Strong focus on security
- No logs
- High speeds
Cons:
- Does not allow Bitcoin payments
- Cheaper options on this page
Our score:
RISK-FREE TRIAL:VyprVPN is a strong choice for Panama: it’s a fast, security-focused service with excellent unblocking ability. What’s more, it comes with a three-day free trial so you have nothing to lose.
Here is our full review for VyprVPN.
6. Ivacy
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
- FireTV
Website: www.Ivacy.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 Days
Ivacy currently has more than 1,000 servers across over 50 countries (with one in Panama). Not only can this VPN unblock Panamanian services including Telemetro abroad, but it’s also fast enough to stream live HD video with no noticeable lag or buffering. Ivacy allows up to five simultaneous connections, meaning you can protect your most commonly-used devices with one account.
This VPN keeps your traffic secure with 256-bit encryption, perfect forward secrecy, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and a kill switch (Windows only). Ivacy keeps no logs whatsoever, but it also accepts bitcoin payments so you can sign up almost completely anonymously. If you need help, you can reach support 24/7 over live chat.
Ivacy has Windows, MacOS, Android, and iOS apps. It can be manually installed on Linux devices and select routers.
Pros:
- Security-oriented
- Keeps no logs
- Fast connections
Cons:
- Live chat struggles to answer some technical questions
Our score:
STRONG LOW-COST VPN:Ivacy makes it easy to get a Panamanian IP address, but also offers high speeds, numerous security features, and no logging whatsoever. It comes with a 7-day free trial.
Here is our full review of Ivacy.
Can I get a Panamanian IP address with a free VPN?
Although you might be tempted to use a free VPN, we advise against it. These services almost never have enough servers to cater to their massive user bases, which leads to extremely slow speeds. This is a particular problem if you like to stream since, in addition to videos buffering frequently (sometimes endlessly), free VPNs often struggle to bypass relatively simple geo-restriction measures. Further, Panamanian servers are rare, even among paid services, so there’s no guarantee you’ll even be able to use your chosen service at all.
How can a service that doesn’t charge users afford to pay for international server networks? The answer is simple: you generate income for them in other ways. You don’t even have to click on the large, intrusive ads that these VPNs inject to be profitable since some services use tracking cookies to keep track of your activities. Once enough information has been collected, it’s sold to the highest bidder, most commonly without your knowledge or express consent.
You might even be using an unsafe VPN without realizing it. In the past, we’ve seen industry leaders use shady business tactics, with one, in particular, facilitating a botnet with its users’ bandwidth. Recent analysis of free VPN apps painted a startling picture: of 283 apps, almost 40% contained malware, 66% were vulnerable to DNS leaks, and 18% never encrypted user traffic at all.
To protect yourself and your data, we recommend using a reputable VPN with a user-first privacy policy.
See also: Best VPNs for Panama
Will a VPN let me live stream TV from Panama?
The most common form of geographic restriction is a simple IP address check. If your IP address comes from a supported country, you’re permitted access, but if not, you aren’t. However, once you connect to a VPN server, it’s very difficult for sites and services to tell whether you’re actually in your chosen country or not. As a result, you can use a Panamanian server to stream content flawlessly on services like Mall TV, FETV, Telemetro, and TVMax. If you’re abroad, you’ll be able to access any websites that are available in Panama.
It’s worth noting that some services have more advanced geo-blocking and some of these aren’t as easy to use abroad. You might have to pay with a card linked to a Panamanian address or provide a Panamanian phone number, for instance. Panamanians in other countries temporarily should still be able to sign up, but this kind of blocking is especially difficult for foreign users to bypass.
Why else might I need an IP address for Panama?
These days, numerous online services make use of automated alerts to let you know when someone accesses (or tries to access) your account from another country. In an attempt to keep you safe, some even impose temporary locks. The problem is that these systems can’t tell the difference between a hacking attempt and someone trying to use the service on vacation. The simplest way to avoid these issues is to connect to a VPN server in your home country (for instance, Panama) before attempting to log in.
When on vacation, you’re likely to rely on public wifi more often. However, these often aren’t as secure as they should be, and as such, are a popular target for hackers. Additionally, certain websites might be blocked and your activities are usually monitored by the hotspot owner. VPNs not only prevent anyone from seeing what you do online, but they also allow you to bypass web-filtering and access whatever you like, wherever, and whenever, you choose.
Internet restrictions in Panama
Although Panama’s constitution ensures its citizens have freedom of speech and the government doesn’t block any websites, this country has a troubled history with online privacy. There have been numerous instances of journalists facing retaliatory lawsuits after covering government officials in a negative light, and in 2012, a swiftly-defeated bill aimed to make this a crime in itself.
The government has also shown a willingness to cut off internet access when it suits. This last occured in 2012, while indigenous people were protesting mining on their land. Two entire provinces were affected, with protestors unable to use the internet or phone networks for five days.