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

Connecting to a VPN server can make it look as if you’re browsing from another location than you really are. For example, if you connect to a server in Costa Rica while in the US, it will give you a Costa Rican IP address allowing you to access geo-blocked content from this country. This is ideal for Costa Ricans who are traveling abroad but want to access their home streaming services and websites. Using a VPN also provides you with a greater level of online privacy and anonymity, again, this is handy for travelers, especially when using public wifi.

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:

  • 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.
  • Surfshark: The best budget VPN for Costa Rica. Unlimited simultaneous connections as well as unlimited bandwidth. Offers 24/7 support and user-friendly apps. Strong security with Double VPN servers.
  • 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.
  • CyberGhost: An excellent beginner-friendly VPN for Costa Rica. Unlimited bandwidth and works with Netflix. Has a strict no-logs policy and allows seven simultaneous connections.
  • IPVanish: Good speeds for streaming and lets you connect as many devices as you want at once. Provides 24/7 support and keeps you secure with its zero-logs policy.
  • PrivateVPN: Fast servers in Costa Rica. User-friendly apps and live chat support. Works with Netflix and BBC iPlayer. Secures your data with high-end encryption.
  • AtlasVPN: Servers in 40+ locations worldwide. Unlimited connection limit, 24/7 support. Wireguard support and malware blocking is included.

Best VPNs for Costa Rica

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:

There are no hidden terms—just contact support within 30 days if you decide NordVPN isn’t right for you and you’ll get a full refund. Start your NordVPN trial here.

  • 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

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.

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

1. NordVPN

                    Jan 2023

Apps Available:

  • PC
  • Mac
  • IOS
  • Android
  • Linux
  • Background
  • FireTV

Website: www.NordVPN.com

Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS

If you decide to connect to a server outside Costa Rica, 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 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. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Pros:

  • Over 5,000 servers for unblocking content worldwide
  • Unlimited bandwidth for streaming Costa Rica TV abroad
  • Strict no-logs policy and Double VPN servers for your security
  • Includes 24/7 support via live chat and email
  • Connect up to six devices at once per account

Cons:

  • Streaming servers aren’t labeled

Our score:

Read our full NordVPN review.

2. Surfshark

  • PC
  • Mac
  • IOS
  • Android
  • Linux

Website: www.Surfshark.com

Surfshark is an excellent budget choice VPN for Costa Rica. It lets you connect as many devices as you want simultaneously. This is great if you’re planning on sharing your VPN with your family. With it, you’ll be able to access over 3,000 servers in around 95 countries, including Costa Rica and the United States. Speeds are consistently high enough for uninterrupted browsing and streaming. You can use Surfshark to access your home Netflix while abroad, plus you’ll have access to MultiHop servers for an extra layer of security.

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. It’s a particularly beginner-friendly VPN, providing a variety of apps and browser extensions that are simple to navigate. If you do have problems, there’s 24/7 support via live chat and email

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

  • Customer support could be improved

Read our full Surfshark review.

3. ExpressVPN

Website: www.ExpressVPN.com

ExpressVPN has over 3,000 servers in an impressive 94+ countries worldwide. This includes Costa Rica. Aside from having a large server network, it offers very fast speeds as well as unlimited bandwidth. This makes it highly suitable for streaming and torrenting (which you can do without restriction). When it comes to unblocking geo-restricted content, ExpressVPN is very strong. For instance, you’ll be able to use it with Costa Rica TV and streaming services such as Netflix and BBC iPlayer, allowing you to watch your home streaming libraries while traveling.

With an ExpressVPN account, you’ll have access to a variety of user-friendly apps and browser extensions. You can use these to connect up to five devices simultaneously. 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 and, accordingly, doesn’t store any data that could identify you. Live chat and email support are available 24/7.

You can access ExpressVPN servers via the apps for Windows, Android, Mac, iOS, and Linux. Browser extensions are offered for Chrome and Firefox. 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 30-day money-back guarantee.

  • Impressive network of servers in around 94 countries, Costa Rica included

  • Fast speeds and unlimited bandwidth for lag-free streaming

  • Unblocks Costa Rica TV channels and works with Netflix

  • Excellent, beginner-friendly apps for desktop and mobile

  • Live chat and email support is available 24/7

  • One of the more expensive VPNs on the market

  • Streaming servers aren’t labeled

Read our full ExpressVPN review.

4. CyberGhost

Website: www.Cyberghost.com

Money-back guarantee: 45 DAYS

CyberGhost has more servers than any other VPN on this list, plus about a 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 6,000 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, even at high resolutions.

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

OVER 6,000 SERVERS:CyberGhost has servers in round 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.

  • Huge network of over 6,000 servers in around 90 countries

  • Very fast speeds for streaming without lag or buffering

  • Works with Costa Rica TV channels as well as Netflix US

  • Secures your data with encryption and a strict no-logs policy

  • Use it to connect up to seven devices simultaneously

  • Maybe less suitable for power users

  • Doesn’t work reliably in China or the UAE

Read our full CyberGhost review.

5. IPVanish

Website: www.IPVanish.com

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, while each IPVanish plan includes SugarSync cloud storage.

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.

  • Fast and reliable servers in San Jose, Costa Rica

  • Allows unlimited simultaneous connections per account

  • Protects privacy with its zero-logs policy

  • Live chat support is available 24/7

  • Headquartered in US — a Five Eyes alliance member

  • Doesn’t offer browser extensions

Read our full IPVanish review.

6. PrivateVPN

Website: www.PrivateVPN.com

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 and can connect up to 10 devices at once. This VPN has servers in several dozen countries, including San Jose, Costa Rica. Aside from accessing Costa Rica TV, such as Canal 13, PrivateVPN works consistently with streaming services, including Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and HBO.

If it’s your first VPN, you’ll appreciate how easy PrivateVPN is to use. You can contact live chat support 22 hours per day while there’s also 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. This VPN 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, and iOS. 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.

  • Very fast speeds for browsing and streaming

  • Works with streaming services such as Netflix and BBC iPlayer

  • Beginner-friendly desktop and mobile apps

  • Use it to connect up to 10 devices at once

  • Only offers a total of 150 servers

  • Live chat support isn’t available 24/7

Read our full PrivateVPN review.

7. AtlasVPN

  • PC
  • Mac
  • IOS
  • Android
  • Background
  • FireTV

Website: www.atlasvpn.com

AtlasVPN is a smart choice for accessing your favorite content in Costa Rica. While AtlasVPN has a smaller server network than its competitors, with 750+ servers in 40+ locations, it has servers in Central America which are ideal for people in Costa Rica.

AtlasVPN doesn’t collect logs and is based in Panama, meaning it doesn’t need to adhere to surveillance laws. It offers 256-bit encryption, malware and adware blocking, a breach monitor, and a tracker blocking tool.

Apps are available on desktops and smartphones, and simultaneous connections are unlimited. Try AtlasVPN for 30 days and get a full refund if you’re not 100% satisfied.

NO CONNECTION LIMIT:AtlasVPN has servers in 40+, locations, including servers in Central America that are ideal for Costa Rica. Supports Wireguard and includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.

  • Great unblocking ability

  • 256-bit AES encryption

  • Supports WireGuard

  • Small network of server versus other VPNs

  • Canceling is tricky

Read our full AtlasVPN 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:

  • First, you’ll need to sign up with a VPN service. We particularly recommend Nord VPN.
  • The next step is to download and install the appropriate VPN app (or browser extension) for your device.
  • Open the VPN app and connect to a server in Costa Rica. This will give you a Costa Rican IP address.
  • You now have a new IP address which should allow you to unblock geo-restricted content abroad.
  • 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:

  • Server locations: It’s important that our VPNs have a decent number of server locations spanning the globe. Even if a 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.
  • Unlocking ability: Services like Netflix, Prime Video, and Disney Plus 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.
  • Speed: We test 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.

Another reason to use a VPN in Costa Rica is to avoid the bandwidth throttling of ISPs. With unlimited bandwidth, you’ll be able to browse and stream without restriction. Or it may be that you want to use a VPN in Costa Rica for reasons related to security and online privacy. For instance, maybe you want to access your online banking service but don’t trust the public wifi hotspot you’re using. By using a different IP address that isn’t tied to your identity and physical location, you can browse the web anonymously. In addition, the best VPNs for Costa Rica use encryption and offer a no-logs policy making it much harder for your data to fall into the wrong hands.

However, it’s not just performance that’s cause for concern but security too. For example, does the VPN encrypt your data and protect you from leaks? It’s important to know that some free VPNs make money by logging and selling your data, including your browsing history.

All in all, we don’t recommend free VPNs because they’re simply too slow, poor at unblocking, and generally lacking security. You’re much better off choosing a low-cost reputable VPN provider.

However, the fastest VPNs offer unlimited bandwidth and use fast protocols such as WireGuard. If you’re already suffering from ISP throttling, you may even find that a VPN improves your connection. By sticking with the best VPNs for Costa Rica, you shouldn’t notice a difference in speed and can continue to stream, torrent, and play online games as normal.