Some Colombian sites are restrictive unless they detect a Colombian IP address. That’s not a problem when you’re in the country. However, as soon as you travel abroad, you’re limited from accessing some (or all) of the content and resources on these platforms.
Your foreign location may also be an issue for your local bank, like Banco de Bogotá, Bancolombia, and Davivienda. If you’re unlucky, they may flag your transactions and deny your log-in requests.
Thankfully, all of these issues go away with a quality VPN for Colombia. How to get a Colombian IP address, you wonder? This article covers all the details, from start to finish. As a bonus, we’ll streamline your VPN choice with a list of the best options to consider.
Get a Colombian IP Address: Step-By-Step Instructions
Let’s dive right into it. Obtaining an IP address in Colombia is easier than you’d think. All you really need is a subscription to a VPN with servers there. Here’s what to do:
1. Choose a Reliable VPN with servers in Colombia
Select a good VPN service with at least one server in Colombia. In addition, you want a provider with excellent speeds, unblocking capabilities, torrenting support (if you need that), and robust privacy and security functionality.
ExpressVPN is our #1 choice because it excels in these aspects and more.
Get a Colombian IP address with ExpressVPN
2. Register an Account
Visit the official VPN website to create a new account. Head to the pricing page and choose a premium subscription that fits your budget and preferences. Go on to pay for it using one of the available payment channels.
You may want to take advantage of a generous 49% discount on ExpressVPN’s yearly subscription plan, which comes with three extra months for free.
3. Download the VPN Client
Most VPNs support various devices with applications for the major platforms. After subscribing, go to the appropriate page and download the app for your device.
According to our analysis, ExpressVPN is an excellent VPN for iPhone, Windows, macOS and Linux.
Follow the installation wizard’s instructions to install it. It’s a simple process, but many services provide helpful guides should you need some assistance.
4. Connect to a Colombian Server
Launch your newly installed VPN app and sign in using your account credentials, which could be your email or username and password, or an activation code.
Navigate to the server menu and select one located in Colombia. Click the prominent Connect button on the home screen and wait a few minutes for the VPN to establish a connection.
You’re set to go if you used a reputable provider like those discussed below. However, if you’re unsure of the quality of your VPN, move on to the next step.
5. Verify that You Actually have a Colombian IP address
Check to confirm that the VPN has changed your IP address to one assigned to a Colombian server. An online IP address checker tool helps you to do this.
If your IP address and location match on both the VPN and checker tool, you’re home-free and ready to access previously blocked content.
Why You Need a VPN to Get a Colombian IP Address
Whether you’re taking a short trip to relax or relocating abroad, traveling outside Colombia may mean being deprived of familiar local content. Some location-based websites and online services will restrict your access to some of their resources when they detect your foreign IP address.
Why is this the case? It’s largely down to licensing agreements (which dictate where content can be viewed) and the geo-restrictions that enforce them.
There are no such restrictions that exist while you’re in the gateway to South America, so you can fire up home and region-based platforms any time, like Netflix Colombia, Canal Capital, Acorn TV, and Caracol Play.
But you can’t enjoy them when you’re away from the country, whether or not you have an active subscription. Plus, banking sites may also be restricted when you try to use them from abroad.
That’s where a VPN comes in. When you connect to a provider’s server in Colombia, it reroutes your online traffic through a secure tunnel to the server. The result? The technology disguises your real location and tricks the sites and online services into recreating the experience of being in Colombia.
The 3 Best VPNs for Getting an IP Address in Colombia
VPN services are not all on the same level. So, we carried out extensive assessments of dozens of providers to identify the top providers for obtaining a Colombian IP address.
Based on our results, here are the three best options you should be looking at.
1. ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN isn’t only the top choice for acquiring an IP address in Colombia; it’s arguably the best VPN on the market, period.
The provider operates out of the British Virgin Islands. It has a network comprising more than 3,000 across 105 countries, including Colombia.
They are 10 Gbps servers, which means blazing-fast connection speeds, even if you connect from a distance. As a result, you’re less likely to encounter pesky buffering and lags, whether you’re browsing, playing online games, downloading, or streaming.
Speaking of which, we rank ExpressVPN as the best VPN for streaming. It effortlessly bypasses geo-restrictions on websites and global services like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Disney Plus, and more. The resistance is even weaker on local Colombian platforms, so you can tune in from elsewhere.
What’s more, it prioritizes online privacy and security. Military-grade encryption comes alongside DNS and WebRTC leak protection, a kill switch, RAM-only servers, and advanced features like an ad blocker and parental controls. What’s more, it maintains a strict no-logs policy.
ExpressVPN is easy to configure and use and supports a wide range of platforms. You can connect up to eight devices simultaneously to get the most out of your subscription.
On top of that, you can try the VPN out completely risk-free, backed by its 30-day money-back guarantee.
2. CyberGhost
ExpressVPN’s most significant drawback is its rather expensive pricing. CyberGhost fits the bill if you’re looking for a cheaper alternative with much under the hood.
The VPN offers a massive network with upwards of 11,800 servers across 100 countries. Fifty-two of those are in Colombia, so you have plenty of options to get your Colombian IP address and enjoy smooth connections.
Like ExpressVPN, there are performance-friendly 10 Gbps servers. It’s not as fast, but you can expect speedy connections that work well for bandwidth-intensive activities like downloading and marathon streaming.
What’s more, CyberGhost has optimized servers for gaming, torrenting, and streaming. The latter category is useful for bypassing geo-blocks on major streaming services. However, the VPN’s regular servers will do if you just want to watch the news or your favorite shows on Canal 1 and other local platforms.
Based in Bucharest, CyberGhost operates under Romania’s data privacy-friendly jurisdiction. Building on that, it offers RAM-based servers that wipe clean after each reboot and a strict logless policy that has undergone independent testing.
As for security, it’s packed with standard and advanced tools like AES 256-bit encryption, DNS leak protection, and a kill switch. CyberGhost’s Wi-Fi protection feature comes in handy whenever you use an unprotected public network.
The VPN supports most commonly used operating systems and devices, including streaming boxes, gaming consoles, and smart TVs. A single subscription covers up to seven devices at the same time.
If you’re looking to give CyberGhost a go in order to get a Colombian IP address, its extensive 45-day money-back guarantee (on six-month and longer plans) gives you more than enough time to make up your mind.
3. NordVPN
Privacy-focused NordVPN is another excellent option for snagging a Colombian IP address from elsewhere.
It comes with an impressive collection comprising over 6,300 servers distributed across 111 countries, the widest spread on this list. You get one location in Colombia, as well as several nearby locations.
NordVPN’s servers are fast and reliable. You can count on stable connections, even while streaming up to 4K videos. The best speed results come from using NordLynx, its proprietary protocol built around WireGuard.
You can access Netflix Colombia, RCN TV, Caracol TV, Canal 1, and other home-based platforms, even if you’re halfway across the world. Popular streaming services like Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, Disney Plus, and Hulu have tougher geo-restrictions. Still, NordVPN also brushes past them hassle-free, so you can enjoy all the content you love.
NordVPN’s claim of a no-logs operation has been audited many times, with each verification confirming that it doesn’t log or track personally identifiable information. Its commitment to online security is just as solid, with a solid arsenal of features like bank-level encryption, Threat protection, a kill switch, IP/DNS leak protection, and more.
A premium NordVPN plan allows you up to 10 simultaneous device connections. Combine that with the VPN’s wide compatibility, as it’s suitable for large households.
A 30-day money-back guarantee backs your subscription. If you’re not impressed by the service by that time, you may request a full refund.
Can You Use a Free VPN to Obtain a Colombian IP address?
Free VPNs provide you with much-needed online privacy and security at no cost. What’s not to love? In fact, it’s more complicated than that, as they’re typically plagued with many limitations and even privacy concerns.
To begin with, free providers often have limited server networks, and finding a trusty option with servers in Colombia can be a challenge. Even if you find one, those servers are likely to be constantly overcrowded, resulting in slow connection speeds and frequent interruptions.
Plus, free VPNs usually impose data caps and bandwidth restrictions that limit your online activities. This can be particularly frustrating when you’re trying to stream Colombian TV channels or carry out other bandwidth-intensive tasks.
Even worse, many cost-free providers depend on personalized ads to generate revenue — and that means extensive logging. And because many of them have subpar features and even loopholes, you’re vulnerable to hackers and other cyber threats.
We recommend sticking to paid providers if pricing is a significant concern, especially budget-friendly options like CyberGhost.
Conclusion
Away from Colombia and looking for access to content there? Obtaining a Colombian IP address is the most reliable solution. It’s simple and only requires a top-notch VPN service with servers hosted there. We’ve discussed the steps to follow above and a number of quality providers to choose from.
Our top choice is ExpressVPN, a comprehensive solution that meets all the standards. Grab the opportunity to save 49% on its annual plan and enjoy an extra three months as a bonus.
