The best way to access all your online services and apps securely in Cuba is with a VPN. Although many claim to work in the country, most are very slow or don’t work at all. After testing over 40 VPNs, I have listed the fastest and most reliable performers. For the best experience online with uninterrupted sessions and top privacy, I recommend ExpressVPN. It comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee so you can buy ExpressVPN in confidence whether you’re traveling in Cuba or live there. Get ExpressVPN for Cuba
Quick Guide: Best VPNs for Cuba in 2023
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The Best VPNs for Cuba — Updated 2023
1. ExpressVPN — #1 VPN for Cuba With Top-Notch Security to Keep You Safe Online
Key Features: ExpressVPN is the best VPN to counter the vulnerability of public WiFi in Cuba reliably and consistently. It hides your traffic with military-grade AES-256 bit encryption, which is impossible to intercept to get to your private information. It also comes with a kill switch that shuts down your internet connection if the VPN disconnects. This prevents your real IP address and location from being exposed while in Cuba, thus keeping you anonymous. When I tested ExpressVPN for DNS leaks, I didn’t find any that could have exposed my online activities. The VPN’s no-log policy secures your privacy by not storing any information that’s transmitted through the network. When in a country like Cuba, it’s comforting to know that ExpressVPN’s TrustedServer technology makes sure all data is deleted with every reboot, since its servers are RAM-based. Plus, ExpressVPN is based in the British Virgin Islands where there are no data retention laws. When it comes to streaming shows and downloading files, ExpressVPN has the highest speeds among all the VPNs. Thanks to its 3000+ servers in over 160 locations, including Miami and The Bahamas, you won’t have to worry about overcrowded servers and slow speeds. If you’re unsure which server to choose, the Smart Location feature automatically connects you to the server with the fastest speed. If you frequently use your phone on the go in Cuba, ExpressVPN has its very own Lightway protocol. It makes your online activities faster and more secure, without draining your phone battery. ExpressVPN has unlimited bandwidth and zero caps on data for consistent speed. Enjoy a buffer-free experience, especially when doing multiple high-bandwidth activities at the same time in Cuba. Cubans and travelers to Cuba will find the US servers extremely useful. The servers in Miami are able to access Zoom, Facebook, MailChimp, and Google App stores. Popular streaming channels such as Netflix US, Disney+, ESPN 2, Hulu, and Telesur are also accessible with ExpressVPN. It’s compatible with a variety of operating systems including Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and more. At any given time, you can connect up to 5 devices simultaneously in Cuba. If your device doesn’t connect to VPNs, hook up the smartTV or console to ExpressVPN’s MediaStreamer DNS address to stream or access international content. Installing ExpressVPN and getting online is so easy and quick, it took me less than 5 minutes. This is a premium VPN that delivers more than what it says and the price reflects that. Granted, it’s the most expensive choice on this list, but with all the extra features, I think it’s worth the price. You can get the best deal at $6.67 monthly with the 1-year + 3 months plan. If you choose to give ExpressVPN a try in Cuba, it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. ExpressVPN also accepts Bitcoin for an added layer of anonymity. Get ExpressVPN for Cuba
2. CyberGhost — Optimized Servers for Uninterrupted Online Streaming, Gaming, and Torrenting in Cuba
Key Features: CyberGhost is a great VPN for Cuba thanks to its optimized servers worldwide. They make streaming, torrenting, and online gaming super-fast and reliable. These servers are indicated on the left-hand panel in the extended view when you sign in. Select your online activity and the server location, and you’re off to a buffer-free experience. My tests showed that CyberGhost’s optimized servers were faster than its regular servers by 12%. There are servers in the US are optimized for streaming shows on HBO Max, Netflix, Sling TV, Hulu, NBC, and more without lags. The optimized servers in the US, Bahamas, Venezuela, and Panama provide high speeds for P2P downloads. Just be sure not to download copyright-protected materials or other files that are illegal in Cuba as my team and I do not condone using VPNs to break any laws. For maximum security, CyberGhost uses AES-256 bit encryption, has a kill switch, and DNS leak protection. I also recommend taking advantage of CyberGhost’s automatic WiFi protection in Cuba. I always set the app to automatically start a VPN connection every time my device detects a new WiFi network in public places. This secures me and my smartphone when random and risky public WiFi connections are made. The VPN also supports multiple security protocols to secure your connection in Cuba, including IKEv2, OpenVPN, and the modern WireGuard. WireGuard offers faster speeds than OpenVPN and reconnects quickly when you’re switching networks. But it does all of this while tightening security and using fewer resources. In fact, WireGuard is one of the safest VPN protocols out there. If you use several devices in Cuba, CyberGhost allows up to 7 connections at the same time. And it’s compatible with a wide range of operating systems including Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS. Since the app on each device is used almost the same way, you only need to master it on one, even if you’re a complete beginner. This is neither the most expensive nor the cheapest VPN on this list, but the best plan can save you money. Try CyberGhost at $2.19 per month with the 2-year + 2 months subscription and you’ll get a 45-day money-back guarantee. Unfortunately, its monthly plan is the most expensive on this list and only comes with a 14-day money-back guarantee. However, you can give CyberGhost a try risk-free in Cuba and request a refund if you change your mind. Get CyberGhost for Cuba
3. Private Internet Access (PIA) — Get Online Right Away With Intuitive and Easy-To-Use Apps
Key Features: PIA is easy to use for complete VPN beginners in Cuba. Whether you’re looking to install it on Windows, Mac, iOS, or Android, the user interface is intuitive enough to access international news and content right away. But there are also advanced features and customization options for seasoned users to personalize their VPN experience. With a single subscription to PIA, you can connect up to 10 devices simultaneously. Help is not far away if you run into connection problems or other issues in Cuba. There’s 24/7 live chat and email support. My queries were resolved by a helpful agent within an hour of communicating via live chat. One of the things I like about PIA is that it has options for several security features. I usually use AES 256-bit encryption whenever I travel for more security. But if speed is your main concern, you can switch to AES 128-bit. I also pair the encryption with WireGuard protocol for higher security, but you can choose OpenVPN, IKeV2, or L2TP, depending on your needs in Cuba. PIA also has a kill switch and a no-log policy. Its perfect forward secrecy system changes your private keys regularly to prevent data theft should there be a breach. For frequent internet browsers, PIA has MACE that blocks ads, ad trackers, and malicious websites. I had a less annoying online experience with MACE as websites loaded faster due to fewer ads. It also didn’t load suspicious websites, which is useful when you’re accessing unfamiliar sites in Cuba. However, MACE didn’t block Facebook or YouTube ads. If you’re looking for a reasonably cheap VPN, you can subscribe to PIA for a monthly cost of $2.19 with the 2-year + 2 months plan. There’s also a 30-day money-back guarantee to try PIA risk-free in Cuba. If you no longer need it after 30 days, ask for a refund, you’ll be asked no questions. PIA also accepts several major cryptocurrencies if you don’t have a credit card or PayPal account. Get PIA for Cuba
4. PrivateVPN — Protect Your Online Security and Privacy in Cuba at an Affordable Price
Key Features: PrivateVPN has the cheapest VPN plans for Cuba on this list. It’s affordable for Cubans and travelers to Cuba at just $2.00/month with the 3-year plan. If you don’t need a VPN after visiting Cuba or are just looking for a cheap short-term subscription, PrivateVPN also offers an affordable monthly plan. It accepts several types of payments such as credit cards, PayPal, and Bitcoin. Although it’s the cheapest, PrivateVPN has many solid features to protect your privacy and security in Cuba. This includes AES 256-bit encryption, an automatic kill switch, and a no-log policy. It also has DNS and IP leak protection. During my tests, my IP address and DNS requests remained hidden. The Perfect Forward Secrecy system kept my information safe from hackers. Torrenting public domain files is possible from Cuba with any of PrivateVPN’s servers. It’s compatible with all major P2P clients and comes with a SOCKS5 proxy to provide faster speeds while keeping IP addresses private during downloads. PrivateVPN also offers a port forwarding option for every account to speed up file transfers. Even though PrivateVPN has a small server network, they are High Quality Network servers. This means the internet capacity is purchased directly from the IP transit provider to reduce latency and increase speed while you’re on the net in Cuba. My speed tests showed that PrivateVPN is fast enough to perform bandwidth-heavy activities without lags, although it didn’t come close to ExpressVPN’s speeds. PrivateVPN is compatible with most devices and operating systems including Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android. Plus, you can use it across 10 devices at the same time in Cuba. It comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee so you can give PrivateVPN a try without risks. Asking for a refund was easy as I got my money back in my account in less than a week. Get PrivateVPN for Cuba
5. IPVanish — Keep All Your Devices Protected at All Times in Cuba With Unlimited Connections
Key Features: IPVanish allows you to connect to an unlimited number of devices in Cuba at the same time. This is great news if you have many devices. Or if you’re in the country for business with a small team that needs to access the internet simultaneously. It also supports all major operating systems such as Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android. If you need help getting started or have questions regarding the VPN, there’s live online chat 24/7 and email support. Like the rest of the VPNs that made it onto this list, IPVanish also prioritizes security in Cuba. It protects your connection with AES 256-bit encryption and has a kill switch to disable the internet when the VPN is disconnected. It also has a verified no-log policy so you can be sure none of your sensitive data is collected or stored when you’re using the internet in Cuba. Furthermore, IPVanish owns its servers and doesn’t outsource them, so there’s less risk of your data falling into the wrong hands. IPVanish’s security protocols include WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2. Many popular apps such as Zoom, Whatsapp, and FaceTime are accessible in Cuba with IPVanish. It can also access streaming services such as Netflix US and Hulu. In terms of speed, I found IPVanish to be consistently fast for streaming, downloading, and video calling both during the weekdays and weekends. The VPN also doesn’t restrict downloading torrents when connected to a server in the US. In fact, it prevents deep packet inspection to keep online activities private. A dedicated SOCKS5 proxy server makes P2P traffic anonymous. I found IPVanish’s in-depth guide to be helpful in torrenting public domain files quickly. In terms of IPVanish’s pricing, you get the most value with the 1 year subscription at $3.99 per month. It also comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee that’s great if you want to give IPVanish a try risk-free in Cuba. While the VPN accepts major debit and credit cards as well as PayPal, it doesn’t accept cryptocurrency payments. Get IPVanish for Cuba IPVanish unblocks: Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, WhatsApp, iTunes, Airbnb, Zoom, PayPal, Telesur, Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, and more
How to Choose the Best VPN for Cuba
Choosing the best VPN for Cuba can be tricky with many areas to focus on and evaluate. The following criteria have helped me in testing the top VPNs on the market and could be helpful to you:
Strong security and privacy features — Look out for AES 256-bit encryption, robust protocols, a kill switch, and a no-log policy so you can be sure your security and privacy are protected when using Cuba’s public WiFi. Global server network — VPNs with servers in Cuba or closest to Cuba such as in Miami and the Bahamas will provide access to common communication apps such as Whatsapp, Zoom, and FaceTime quickly and securely. Fast speeds — Although all VPNs affect speed, the VPNs I have shortlisted here have good connection speeds to stream, download, and play online games without lags. Apps for popular devices — Compatibility issues can be avoided with VPNs that support all major operating systems and devices. The VPNs I have shortlisted also can protect more than one device at a time in Cuba. Customer support — Good VPNs such as the ones on this list have 24/7 live chat assistance and email support so that you’re never vulnerable while using the internet in Cuba.
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3 Easy Steps to Get a VPN in Cuba
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Is using a VPN legal in Cuba?
Yes. Although many apps and sites are either blocked in the country or restricted by the US government, there have been no legal cases against VPN users. Both Cubans and visitors to the country are allowed to use a VPN as long as it’s not used to download copyright-protected materials, bypass geoblocks imposed by streaming services, circumvent US sanctions, or access sites banned by the Cuban government. I have only listed the best VPNs for Cuba here. But please read the terms and conditions of the online services you’re subscribed to and the laws of the land before using a VPN anywhere.
Can I use a proxy in Cuba instead of a VPN?
Yes you can, but it’s risky. Proxies don’t have the same level of security and privacy as a top-quality VPN like ExpressVPN. Proxies don’t have end-to-end encryption, kill switches, DNS leak protection, or no-log policies to keep your online activities and identity hidden in Cuba.
How do I check if my VPN works?
Use our free IP lookup tool to check your IP address before you turn on your VPN. Note the address. Turn on your VPN and check the IP address again. If the two are different, it means your VPN is working. If the IP address stays the same, there could be a leak. Contact your VPN’s support to find out what’s happening.
Is it safe to use a free VPN in Cuba?
I would strongly advise against it because even the best free VPNs may not be able to fully protect your online security in Cuba. Free VPN service providers recover their costs by supporting annoying ads. Or worse, by storing cookies on your device to spy on your internet activities and selling that data without your knowledge. Many free VPNs don’t encrypt your traffic but instead contain malware. And over 80% are vulnerable to IP leaks. Avoid taking these risks in Cuba, especially if you use public WiFi. Instead, choose a premium VPN like CyberGhost for complete privacy and security. It comes with a 45-day money-back guarantee so you can try it risk-free. If you decide it’s not for you after your trip to Cuba, just ask for a refund. Get CyberGhost for Cuba
Get a VPN (That Works) for Cuba Today!
The best way to access all your online services and apps securely in Cuba is with a VPN. Especially if you’re traveling and relying on the public WiFi hotspots in the country to transact online and stay in touch with your family and friends. Based on all my tests, ExpressVPN is the best to keep your sensitive information and personal data secure in Cuba. It protects your privacy with top-notch security, accesses more sites than other VPNs, and maximizes the WiFi speed in the country for a smooth session on the internet. You can try ExpressVPN out for yourself as it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee. This means you can easily request a refund if you’re not satisfied with the service for any reason.
