Internet access is largely unrestricted in Colombia. According to a Freedom House report, the government does not limit bandwidth or impose control over infrastructure unless an emergency requires it. Still, you should use a VPN in Colombia, whether you live there, are an expatriate, or are visiting.
While it doesn’t impose restrictions, the government constantly monitors online activities. Besides, you may lose access to some of your usual services and subscriptions when you’re outside the country. The best VPNs for Colombia have you covered in these situations.
This article will shortly review the options you should check out, highlighting what makes them tick. And then, we’ll go on to discuss why you need a VPN in Colombia.
The Best VPNs for Colombia — Our 5 Picks for 2024
We’ve tested dozens of VPN providers to arrive at our top picks for Colombia. Each option offers a combination of abilities that make them ideal for citizens and visitors alike. Later on, we’ll break down the method we employed to arrive at this list.
Let’s get down to it.
1. ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is not the cheapest provider in the market. Still, when you consider the blazing-fast speeds, array of features, and all-round performance, it makes sense that it is so popular.
According to our numerous tests, this is the best VPN to use in Colombia. It has a network size comprising 3,000+ RAM-based servers dotted across 160 locations in 105 countries. Because that includes Colombia, you can connect to a nearby server when you’re in the country or obtain a Colombia IP address from abroad. Other neighboring locations include Ecuador, Chile, and Venezuela.
ExpressVPN also tops our fastest VPN list, which is no surprise as it consistently delivers, even when connected to faraway servers. Part of that is down to its proprietary Lightway protocol, which beats OpenVPN hands down and goes neck-and-neck with WireGuard.
In order words, there’s little chance of experiencing buffering or lags when you use ExpressVPN for browsing, downloading, or streaming.
It’s just as effective for bypassing geo-blocks on websites and streaming platforms. With ExpressVPN, you can easily watch Netflix US, BBC iPlayer, and more.
What’s more, you needn’t worry about online pirates or government surveillance in Colombia. ExpressVPN packs the essentials, including military-grade encryption, a kill switch, and leak protection. And when you use this VPN, it handles your DNS requests directly, so there’s no exposure to third parties.
Moreover, ExpressVPN’s strict no-logs policy has undergone independent auditing, so you know it does not store activity logs.
If you’re looking to try it out, a 30-day money-back guarantee grants you the option of getting a full refund.
2. CyberGhost
CyberGhost has a massive network with 10,000+ servers globally, spread across 100 countries. While that’s impressive, what makes it one of the best VPNs for Colombia is having 52 of those located in the country — no other provider is touching that.
They are 10 Gbps servers, meaning better coverage and fewer network congestion chances. In essence, connecting to one of the VPN’s Colombian servers when you’re in the country will not significantly impact your original speed. That is unless you’re being throttled by an ISP, in which case you’ll enjoy better speeds.
CyberGhost supports streaming, gaming, and torrenting, offering specialized servers for those activities. There are labels for several platforms and devices, so you can scroll through and pick the perfect option.
But the VPN is excellent at bypassing geo-restrictions, even on its regular servers. It will grant you access to exclusive content libraries on Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Prime Video, and many others. And when you travel, you can latch on to any home server to enjoy your local content.
CyberGhost offers a bunch of standard and advanced features to keep you under the radar. It uses AES 256-bit encryption to protect your data. That’s the algorithm used by US government agencies and is virtually unbreakable. Plus, the VPN automatically detects and protects you on new Wi-Fi networks, giving hackers and other malicious actors a hard time.
The provider also has an automatic kill switch and a strict no-logs policy, so Colombian authorities cannot get a hold of any breadcrumbs. And as an even safer alternative to regular servers, its NoSpy servers are in-house and managed by the CyberGhost.
For any subscription plans six months or longer, CyberGhost offers a generous 45-day money-back guarantee.
3. NordVPN
NordVPN makes this list as it recently rolled out servers in Colombia. They are part of its huge network made up of 5,700+ options in 60 countries. Not too far away, there are server locations in Brazil, Costa Rica, and Mexico.
Because the best VPNs have thousands of servers, they rarely own or manage the data centers they are housed in. NordVPN is one of the few providers taking steps to change that with colocated servers, which make up a significant chunk of its total.
Speaking of exclusives, it’s the only VPN that can stand side-by-side with ExpressVPN in terms of performance. NordVPN provides lightning-fast connection speeds, which is excellent if you’re interested in data-intensive tasks like streaming and torrenting, with specialty servers for the latter. You’ll get the best results when connected to NordLynx, its version of WireGuard.
The VPN effortlessly unblocks geo-restrictions on websites and streaming platforms. You can watch videos on Netflix and a host of other platforms when you’re in Colombia. You’ll just as easily enjoy local content from outside the country. SmartPlay, seamlessly integrated into all its apps, facilitates this.
NordVPN places major emphasis on data privacy and security. Your traffic is kept undecipherable and masked by bank-level encryption, a strict logless policy, an automatic kill switch, and IP/DNS leak protection.
It also comes with obfuscated servers, Double VPN, malware protection, and built-in Tor support for extra security (this feature is called Onion over VPN).
NordVPN has a 30-day refund policy, so you have enough time to make up your mind.
4. Surfshark
Surfshark presents an excellent low-cost option if you’re trying to avoid breaking the bank for a Colombia VPN.
The VPN has over 3,200 servers spanning 100 countries. We like that global spread, especially as it has locations in Colombia and other South American countries for reliable connections.
You can generally expect fast speeds when you use Surfshark. That said, it is not beyond some congestion here and there. Simply switching a server is usually enough to clear that up.
If you’re a fan of peer-to-peer sharing, you’re in luck, as it supports the activity on all servers. But just to be sure, optimized servers come along for faster downloads and seeding.
As for streaming, the VPN reaches past geo-blocks to grant you access to regional content on major platforms. It will also unblock any local website or TV channel. We could stream videos on Señal Colombia and other platforms without breaking a sweat.
Surfshark’s cheap price tag doesn’t mean it skimps on privacy. The provider offers industry-standard features, including AES 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, leak protection, and a no-logs policy.
If you need more peace of mind, it comes with obfuscation and MultiHop features. Surfshark is one of the only providers that lets you choose entry and exit servers for the latter.
There’s great value for money. However, if you’re unconvinced after purchase, a 30-day refund policy means you can request your money back.
5. Private Internet Access
Private Internet Access earns a spot here thanks to budget-friendly pricing, a mammoth network, and its impressive arsenal of security and privacy features.
The provider has close to 30,000 servers in its collection. That’s more than the other VPNs on this list combined. It’s an expansive spread, too, with locations in 91 countries, including Colombia.
Large network sizes usually translate to impressive speeds, but this is not the fastest VPN you can use in Colombia. That said, it certainly isn’t sluggish. We were able to stream content online in high definition with little to no buffering or lags. Besides, each server has a latency label, so you can avoid the slower ones.
PIA’s unblocking ability is average for a top VPN, so expect mixed results. It unblocks some Netflix libraries and a few other major streamers. On the other hand, you’ll have zero issues unblocking websites and services in Colombia. For the best outcomes, connect to its streaming-optimized servers.
Where the VPN shines is in keeping your private information safe and private. PIA’s US headquarters is the elephant in the room. However, it has proved that its no-log policy is airtight — in court, no less. More than that, it also has an independent audit carried out by Deloitte to show for it.
The provider is stacked with other features, including a kill switch, obfuscation, and MultiHop. You even get to choose your encryption algorithm between AES 128-bit and 256-bit.
Private Internet Access has a 30-day money-back guarantee to let you check it out risk-free.
Why You Need a VPN for Colombia
VPNs are becoming increasingly popular in Colombia. Let’s explore some of the compelling reasons why this is the case.
Enhanced Online Security
Like in many countries, internet security is a critical concern in Colombia. Cybercrime, data breaches, and identity theft are prevalent. Public Wi-Fi networks, like those found in cafes, airports, and hotels, are notorious for being insecure, making them hotbeds for cybercriminals.
A VPN encrypts your internet traffic and routes it through a secure server. Consequently, intercepting your data is way more challenging for malicious entities. This layer of security protects your personal information, financial details, and browsing history from prying eyes.
Bypassing Geo-restrictions
Using VPNs for Colombia is a game-changer for providing access to a broader range of content and breaking down barriers imposed by geographical restrictions.
Here’s how. Popular streaming services like Netflix and Prime Video offer different content libraries based on geographic location. Connecting to a VPN server in a different country unlocks a wealth of shows, movies, and documentaries previously unavailable in Colombia. It’s also a great way to watch the Vuelta live on a free channel that would not normally be accessible in Colombia.
On the flip side, some websites, streaming services, or content libraries are only accessible within Colombia. So, following your favorite content on RCN TV or Caracol TV becomes challenging when you travel abroad. A VPN with servers in the country grants you a Colombian IP address, so you don’t miss out on anything.
Bandwidth Throttling
In Colombia, like in many other countries, Internet service providers (ISPs) can deliberately throttle specific activities or services. They may do this to manage network congestion or prioritize some types of traffic over others. Either way, it slows down your connection significantly.
Because ISPs often throttle bandwidth based on the type of traffic they detect, your VPN-encrypted traffic is tougher to identify. The ISP does not know what websites or services you’re accessing, reducing the chances of being targeted.
Internet Surveillance
Colombians face “unprecedented levels” of monitoring and surveillance on the Internet, with journalists, activists, and protesting citizens targeted. In addition, Colombian law requires ISPs to monitor and collect data on online activities deemed illegal.
While these measures are sometimes necessary, they may encroach on privacy rights. Good thing a VPN masks your IP address, making it significantly harder to track and monitor your digital footprint.
How We Ranked the Best VPNs for Colombia
VPNs are important tools for maintaining privacy and security. However, they are not all created equal. While there are many options, simply downloading the first option that pops up in a search is not the best option.
To arrive at this selection, we extensively tested dozens of VPNs and ranked them based on their performance on our criteria. Here are some of the metrics we considered.
Privacy and Security
We placed utmost importance on the privacy and security features of each VPN. This includes evaluating the strength of encryption protocols, whether they maintain a strict, audited no-logs policy, and other standard and advanced features.
Server Network
The size and distribution of a VPN’s server network are crucial for ensuring reliable and consistent performance. So, a large number of servers in various locations around the world factored into our ranking. And because accessing local content from abroad is important, we only considered providers with servers in Colombia.
Speed and Performance
A fast and stable connection is essential for seamless browsing, streaming, and downloading. VPNs that maintained minimal speed loss while offering consistent performance scored well in this category.
Ease of Use
A user-friendly interface and intuitive setup process can significantly impact the overall VPN experience. We assessed each service for ease of use, examining factors such as installation, server selection, and quality customer support.
Device Compatibility
The best VPNs for Colombia should offer broad compatibility with various devices and operating systems. We considered whether each provider supports popular platforms like Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Linux. Additionally, VPNs that allow multiple simultaneous connections on a single account got extra points.
Money-Back Guarantee
A money-back guarantee demonstrates a VPN provider’s confidence in their service. Every VPN in this list offers at least 30 days so users can try the service out risk-free.
Conclusion
Living in Colombia or traveling in for business or pleasure? A VPN makes sure that thoughts of your online safety and privacy don’t weigh you down. In addition, the tool helps you access unlimited local or international content that would ordinarily be blocked.
ExpressVPN tops the best VPNs for Colombia ranking due to its excellent functionality, impressive server network, and super-fast speeds.
