With Cuba’s rugged mountains, picturesque beaches, and colorful culture, it is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful Caribbean islands. Unfortunately, Internet censorship and surveillance are rife since the state oversees communications infrastructure. You need a good VPN for Cuba whether you live on the island or are planning a trip there.
A government-owned monopoly is the only active Internet Service Provider. Plus, a long-standing United States sanction blocks Cuban access to many websites and online services.
The thing is, not many VPNs are good enough to bypass the Internet restrictions in the country. Good thing we have tested dozens of providers and narrowed them down to those that can. This article will discuss the best VPNs to use when you’re in Cuba. Let’s get down to it.
The Best VPNs for Cuba — Our 5 Favorite Picks of 2024
Choosing a VPN for Cuba is not the easiest task, considering many providers lack the necessary features and performance required. Below, we’ll discuss the five best options to use in the country.
As an aside, note that Internet connections are usually slow in Cuba. When we refer to a VPN’s performance, we are considering baseline speeds that are decent to begin with.
1. ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is the best Cuba VPN due to its strong security features, reliable performance, and broad server network.
The VPN’s British Virgin Islands base contrasts starkly with Cuba regarding data privacy. ExpressVPN builds on that with its RAM-based servers and strict no-logs policy. If you use this service, you can be sure it will not store your activity logs, thanks to independent audits.
ExpressVPN also scrambles your data with military-grade encryption. This prevents authorities, the state-owned ISP, and other actors from figuring it out. Plus, an automatic kill switch and DNS leak protection eliminate the risk of exposure to prying eyes.
To make absolutely sure, there are advanced features like obfuscation, which disguises your traffic as regular data. It tricks snooping authorities into thinking you’re using a regular Internet connection.
Being in Cuba does not mean you cannot enjoy your favorite content. ExpressVPN lets you access websites, videos, and services unrestricted. It unblocks regional catalogs on Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and more. And because it offers blazing-fast speeds, there’s little perceivable impact on performance when browsing or streaming.
The provider comes with 3,000+ servers in 94 countries. There are locations near Cuba, including Mexico, the Bahamas, and Tampa.
You can take advantage of a 49% discount on the yearly subscription plan. On top of that, there’s a 30-day money-back guarantee.
2. CyberGhost
CyberGhost is headquartered in Romania, a country that takes data protection seriously. The VPN is just as serious about keeping your personal information away from the grasp of third parties.
It uses AES 256-bit encryption to prevent authorities and online pirates from snooping about your business. That’s the same encryption standard the US government uses and is virtually unbreakable. There’s also an audited no-logs policy and an automatic kill switch to prevent accidental leakages.
When CyberGhost detects a new hotspot, its automatic Wi-Fi protection kicks in. Wi-Fi Auto-Protect remembers networks and lets you set a reaction for each known network. On top of that, the provider offers self-managed NoSpy servers that are perfect for the hyper-paranoid.
Speaking of servers, CyberGhost’s collection is massive, with 9,400+ in 91 countries, including nearby Bahamas and Mexico. They are fast, so you should have a smooth experience if your regular connection is not snail-slow. There are streaming, torrenting, and gaming servers to optimize those activities.
CyberGhost effectively gets past restrictions to offer you access to blocked websites and services. So, you can stream on Netflix and several other popular platforms from Cuba.
There’s a 45-day money-back guarantee for trying out CyberGhost, more than ample time to make a decision.
3. NordVPN
For good reason, NordVPN is one of the most popular VPNs for Cuba. The Panama-based service comes with a hoard of tools to prevent monitoring and breeze past censorship.
As expected, there’s bank-level encryption for bulletproof security and a kill switch. NordVPN offers two versions of the kill switch, one allowing you to specify apps it works on and the other system-wide. The VPN has a strict logless policy that has undergone independent audits to prove it is watertight.
If you’re really worried about prying eyes, other active measures come along. For instance, NordVPN offers built-in support for the Tor network. This allows you to use your VPN service in combination with Tor. It also has a Double VPN feature, which provides an extra layer of encryption, effectively doubling your privacy.
It’s important to note that while these features work, they will slow down your Internet connection speeds even further.
NordVPN has an impressive network of 5,700+ servers in 60 countries, including close-by locations in Florida and Mexico. Those servers are pretty fast on a regular Internet connection, so you can expect to browse and stream without buffering.
As for geo-blocks, NordVPN unblocks access very easily. You can view content on Netflix, Hulu, and a bunch of other websites and streaming platforms hassle-free.
The VPN has a 30-day refund policy, so you can ask for your money back if you’re unsatisfied with the service.
4. Surfshark
The affordable Surfshark VPN is one of the best in the business to help you handle privacy when you’re in Cuba.
AES 256-bit encryption renders your data indecipherable to authorities, the ISP, and cyber criminals trying to look in. And despite being a young provider, the VPN has conducted multiple independent audits. The first was of its entire infrastructure and the other of its no-logs policy, which Deloitte declared it passed.
So Surfshark will not store your data — and with its leak protection and kill switch, it will not expose it either.
VPNs are not explicitly illegal in Cuba, but their use may raise eyebrows. That’s why we like its NoBorders feature, which lets you use the provider in restrictive regions like Cuba. Camouflage Mode (obfuscation) and MultiHop are other features that can come in handy.
Surfshark has 3,200+ servers in 100 countries, a pretty good haul. Nearby locations include Florida, the Bahamas, Mexico, and Puerto Rico. Don’t expect ExpressVPN-levels of speed, but it’s good enough for reliable performance when the Internet connection is stable.
Surfshark comfortably bypasses geo-restrictions too. From Netflix to Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, and more, you’ll have access to those platforms that air content you enjoy.
A 30-day money-back guarantee lets you check this VPN out risk-free. If you choose not to continue using it, you get a refund on request.
To find out more, check out our Surfshark VPN review or pit it against the best VPN for Cuba in our ExpressVPN vs Surfshark comparison.
5. Private Internet Access
PIA’s base is in the United States. We’re not fans of this, considering the US’s involvement with the 5 Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance. But there’s plenty of reason to consider it a quality Cuba VPN, regardless.
For one, it’s the only provider on this list with a choice between encryption levels. AES 256-bit is the industry standard and is virtually impenetrable. However, AES 128-bit (also never been cracked) has lower latency, which is great, considering the poor Internet speeds in Cuba. Plus, its no-logs policy has undergone a fire test in court and by independent auditors.
Private Internet Access’ array of security and privacy features includes an advanced kill switch, MultiHop, and obfuscation. Because it’s big on transparency, all apps are open-source, so users can inspect them.
There’s more to like. PIA’s monster of a server network comprises over 30,000 servers in 84 countries and is always growing. The VPN has not managed to sneak any into Cuba, but there are nearby server locations in Florida, Mexico, and the Bahamas you can connect to.
While performance is not always reliable, we found that changing servers helps. In addition, you can switch from OpenVPN to WireGuard to increase connection speeds.
Unblocking streaming platforms is also touch-and-go. It may not be as smooth as on ExpressVPN or CyberGhost, but again, switching servers could have you streaming on popular platforms.
Private Internet Access offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, with a full refund if you’re not happy with what you get.
To find out more, check out our full PIA review.
Why You Need a VPN in Cuba
“Never travel to Cuba without a VPN on your devices” is an advice privacy experts regularly share. Sure, the tool can be useful wherever you are, but it is especially needed in restrictive countries. Here’s why.
Internet Censorship and Surveillance
Online censorship in Cuba is a significant concern that affects how citizens access and interact with content. Authorities actively filter and block access to websites critical of the government, encourage opposition ideologies, or provide information deemed harmful. And that includes social media platforms and news outlets.
What’s more, Internet users in Cuba are subject to monitoring by authorities. If you’re traveling there, it’s safe to assume that attempts will be made to monitor emails, chat messages, and browsing history.
Thankfully, by encrypting and routing it through remote servers, a VPN masks the origin of your traffic. This makes it difficult for authorities to monitor what you do online, since the Internet service provider doesn’t know your browsing history.
Enhanced Privacy
You need a NAUTA card to access Wi-Fi at public hotspots, hotels, resorts, and airports. Many Cubans and visitors connect to the Internet through this means. But there’s a lurking danger, as public networks are prone to attacks from hackers and other malicious entities.
That is, until you use a VPN, which removes that vulnerability and prevents online pirates from intercepting your data.
In addition, ETECSA, the country’s only ISP, observes browsing habits and can potentially share this information with authorities. With a VPN, the ISP can only see that you’re using one. It cannot monitor the specific content you’re viewing.
Access to Global Content
Due to strict government regulations and US sanctions, access to many international websites, services, and streaming platforms is blocked or restricted in Cuba.
While Facebook and Twitter are accessible, content posted there is monitored. Other platforms like Instagram, WhatsApp, and Telegram have faced intermittent restrictions. That also applies to popular streaming platforms like Netflix, Hulu, and Prime Video. In addition, it’s quite challenging to use popular app stores like Apple Store and Play Store.
A premium Cuba VPN bypasses all these restrictions and blocks, providing unlimited access to the services. You can also use such a service to unblock TV channels in order to watch a live stream of Formula 1, Australian Open, and many other programs (movies, series, shows, etc.).
Journalistic Freedom
Cuba ranks #171 out of 180 countries in the RSF’s World Press Index. While independent media exists in the country, there’s also heavy government interference, and journalists are often forced to self-censor.
A VPN allows independent journalists to be “invisible,” protecting them from potential repercussions. On top of that, it provides readers access to press outlets that may be restricted or monitored.
How We Ranked the Best VPN for Cuba
More than in many other countries, it is important to get it right with a VPN for Cuba. Restrictive regulations mean that hopping on a mediocre provider could potentially land you in trouble.
That’s why we put dozens of VPNs through thorough tests based on the metrics below. ExpressVPN, the best VPN for Cuba, and four others performed best on those tests. Here are the criteria we used.
Privacy and security: This is the main reason for using a VPN in Cuba, as you want to browse anonymously, keeping your personal information safe from authorities, ISP, and malicious actors. The VPNs on this list come with high-level standard and advanced features to ensure that.
Extensive server network: We only considered providers with a large number of servers located all over the world. Normally, we would only choose those with servers in Cuba, but no VPN has managed that. The providers on this list have servers in neighboring locations, such as Florida, Tampa, and the Bahamas.
Speed and performance: Internet speeds are generally pretty slow in Cuba. Combined with how a VPN can affect your internet connection, you want one with minimal impact on performance. You can carry out online activities with the providers listed with little to no lag or buffering.
Unblocking geo-restrictions: With a VPN that bypasses geo-blocks and government restrictions, you can enjoy unlimited content in Cuba or anywhere else. You can also access blocked websites and other services.
User-friendly apps: Intuitive interfaces and cross-platform compatibility make setting up and using a VPN on multiple devices simple, even for beginners.
Money-back guarantee: Sometimes, VPNs fail to deliver on their claims. The VPNs on this list offer the option of a refund if you are unhappy.
Conclusion
Internet freedom remains a pipe dream for people in Cuba. Whether you live in the North American country or are traveling there, you need a VPN for unrestricted access and to evade monitoring. A good VPN also lets you view and enjoy content on blocked online services.
ExpressVPN is the best VPN for Cuba. It masks your IP address, effectively removing you from any crosshairs. On top of that, you get a massive network of servers, access to popular streaming platforms, and speedy, reliable connections.
Best VPN for Cuba — FAQs
Are VPNs legal in Cuba?
Cuban authorities have been known to temporarily block VPN websites. There’s also a regulation against “anonymizing and encryption tools,” a tag that describes a VPN.
However, this regulation has never been clearly spelled out, and there is no outright ban on VPNs in Cuba today. The tools have grown increasingly popular as more people rely on them for unrestricted and unmonitored access.
Can I use a free VPN in Cuba?
You may, but we don’t recommend using a free VPN in Cuba. Limitations, such as fewer server options, poor speeds, and inadequate security and privacy features, plague them.
A free VPN is better than nothing. However, you should consider paying a premium subscription for top-notch service that guarantees your privacy. Cheap VPNs like CyberGhost offer affordable long-term prices without compromising quality.
