Best VPN for Cuba in 2021
Cuba is one of the most beautiful countries in the world, but visitors need to seriously brace themselves before going for a holiday there. Having some of the worst internet access in the world due to lack of infrastructure, you might be surprised to find you won’t be able to connect at all. Additionally, the Cuban government censors and limits the information reaching Cuba’s citizens. Carefully observing its internet users, the Cuban government allows freedom of speech as long as it supports the socialist society.
According to Cuban law, individuals could land themselves in jail for 20 years if found guilty of partaking in activities that might be seen to threaten society. Whether you’re just visiting or you are a Cuban citizen, a VPN is a must. This is the only way to remain safe and anonymous at all times on the internet.
For the fastest, most secure connection in Cuba, use Express VPN now.
Top VPNs in Cuba
A VPN will safely encrypt your data by re-routing it to another server in the location of your choice, essentially changing your IP address.
This way you can be sitting in Cuba using the internet, but by connecting to a VPN it will look as though you’re browsing the net from Sweden. Your connection is therefore invisible to any third parties, government officials, or even your ISP.
So, which do you choose when it comes to Cuba? We have the best four options listed below.
#1 ExpressVPN
Because the internet connection in Cuba is already quite slow, you need a VPN connection that is constantly fast. As the fastest VPN out there, ExpressVPN is a perfect choice, with 3,000 servers in 94 countries and around 160 locations.
Supporting many different platforms such as Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux and your router just to name a few, ExpressVPN stands as the best choice for security as well as entertainment.
This is the only VPN that has never had trouble getting around Netflix’s geo-blocks, allowing its users to connect with ease. You can also connect to all your other online streaming platforms like YouTube TV, Hulu, Sling TV, and MLB TV as well as other streaming outlets like iPlayer, ESPN and BBC.
Having headquarters in the British Virgin Islands means that your internet data is beyond the reach of government officials. With inbuilt technology allowing ExpressVPN to overcome government censorship, you can surf the net without looking over your shoulder constantly.
Because the government in Cuba practices constant monitoring of all internet activity, you should know that ExpressVPN has military-grade protection as well as OpenVPN support and DNS protection. The most important feature offered by ExpressVPN for Cuba is the Network Lock which ensures your internet activity stops as soon as your VPN connection drops.
Setting up your ExpressVPN will only take a few moments. All you have to do is head over to their website, sign up and download the application.
You can use three devices simultaneously with the one ExpressVPN subscription, which is handy as you can protect your computer, laptop, and smartphone at the same time.
The interface is simple, having a large on/off button with a list of countries which you can connect to. If you have some trouble you can always check out their troubleshooting page or send them an email.
Chatting to someone online is one of the benefits of choosing ExpressVPN. They are one of the few VPN services that have customer service agents 24/7 all year around.
Here are some more features that we think make ExpressVPN the best VPN for Cuba:
- Unlimited bandwidth
- Ultra-fast streaming speeds
- Compatible with Android TV (Box) and Fire TV
- Apps available for every device
- Hides your streaming activity
- No connection logs
- No activity logs
- P2P possibility
- Ping times that are minimally affected
- ExpressVPN works extremely well in high censorship countries
- Military-grade encryption
- Large international server network
- 30-day money back guarantee
- Outstanding customer service
- 99% uptime guarantee
- Up to three simultaneous connections
ExpressVPN also offers a special deal, get 3 months free and 49% savings with their annual subscription plan!
Want to find out more? Check out the full review here.
#2 Surfshark
These guys have been voted as the best newcomer VPN service for 2019 and it’s pretty simple to see why. Their rapidly growing server count is now up to 800 in 50 countries with no signs of slowing down. Their lightning-fast speeds are also another reason why they have come in at second place.
Many competitors claim to be fast, but their connection goes back and forth in terms of speed, slowing down randomly, to the frustration of their customers.
Having jurisdiction in the British Virgin Islands means that Surfshark, like ExpressVPN, has a strict logging policy. They do not collect incoming or outgoing IP addresses, browsing activity, used bandwidth, downloads or purchasing information, VPN servers you use, the session information or connection timestamps.
One feature that we love is MultiHop that allows you to connect via multiple countries at once, taking your ID protection and footprint masking to a whole new level. Just in case your connection drops, there is a kill switch that will stop your internet activity altogether.
Having a P2P friendly VPN is important in Cuba, which Surfshark definitely is, but on top of that, they have optimized servers which will provide the best performance in terms of downloading speeds.
You can also connect to eight various Netflix libraries including the US, France, UK, Netherlands, Japan, India or Italy in order to watch your favorite movies and television shows.
The interface is one of the best on the market and more user-friendly than most in that it will adjust itself as you resize the window.
Connect or disconnect with just a tap of the button and enjoy desktop notifications which update you on the status of your current virtual location as well as your IP address.
Surfshark’s winning attribute is that you can simultaneously connect as many devices to your subscription as you like, allowing you to keep your family’s devices secure as well.
If you come across potential problems, you have the option of reaching them via email or, like ExpressVPN, Surfshark offers live chat support 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Conversing with one of their friendly staff left us instantly informed as to the query we had.
- Great download speeds
- Zero logging
- Unlimited bandwidth
- Unlimited platform protection
- Unlimited Server Switching
- Some servers work with Netflix
- Strong encryption
- Torrenting allowed
- CleanWeb feature
- Unlimited devices
- Whitelister feature
Want to find out more? Check out the full review here
#3 CyberGhost
With 3,000 servers in as many as 58 countries, CyberGhost offer a solid VPN service for those traveling to or living in Cuba.
This VPN is compatible with platforms like Windows, Mac, iOSm Android, Linux as well as your router. Additionally, you can piggyback off your CyberGhost connection from a different device which is running the app such as your laptop or your smartphone.
Their jurisdiction lies in Romania, which has rendered its law unconstitutional making and European Data Retention Directive laws inapplicable. CyberGhost will only log the bare minimum which they need to keep their service running to the best of its ability.
Found in the CyberGhost logging policy, they explain that your privacy is their top priority,
“We do not log real IP addresses, we do not log assigned servers, we do not log login or logout times, we don’t merge any real data (like purchase data) into account data, we do not log traffic data (e.g. which websites are visited) nor any information sent via a CyberGhost server.
CyberGhost VPN neither observes nor records content like messenger chats, telephone calls, video chats, or other communication forms, nor stores IP addresses (not the ones the users are heading to, and not the ones users have, when logging into the CyberGhost VPN network). Furthermore, it’s not possible to record, which account logged into which server at what time or to connect a real person to a certain CyberGhost VPN account.”
With simple-to-use preset options, CyberGhost has you covered from the start, and with the possibility of seven simultaneous connections, you will have no issues keeping your internet movements secure. There is also a 45-day money back guarantee which you can take advantage of when signing up to their three-year plan.
Having an impressive 43 servers in Miami means that you can have access to your home comforts.
Here are some more reasons as to why CyberGhost was one of the best VPN companies for India:
- Strict No Logs Policy
- High speeds
- Automatic Kill Switch
- Simultaneous connections on up to 7 devices
- Easy to use
- 256-bit AES Encryption
- Unlimited bandwidth and traffic
- OpenVPN, L2TP-IPsec and PPTP protocols
- Apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, Routers
Want to find out more? Check out the full review here
#4 NordVPN
As one of our top recommendations for a VPN for Cuba, Nord has several features that are hard to beat, starting with the number of servers. Having over 5,000 servers in 60 countries means that you will never be at a loss for a connection.
One of the key features offered by NordVPN is the Double VPN. This basically means your internet traffic will be encrypted twice, making your connection twice as secure. Be careful as this is known to slow your connection down a fair amount, which is not something you want to happen in Cuba, where internet speeds are dismal.
Staying safe in this region is paramount and Nord’s CyberSec feature will help you out with this, providing extra malware protection as well as adblocking features.
Advanced obfuscation settings will safeguard your VPN connection in countries with tough censorship laws, which can even get around the Great Firewall of China. Custom DNS settings and two different kill switches mean that even if things go south you know you will be safe.
For beginners, this VPN has a simple interface, making it a good fit for all users. On the other hand, more proficient users can take advantage of the advanced settings on offer which include a kill switch, choosing security protocols, allowing custom DNS, etc. You can connect as many as six devices which is fantastic for protecting your online communications.
Taking your privacy extremely seriously, NordVPN’s privacy policy is very clear.
“We do not store connection time stamps, session information, used bandwidth, traffic logs, IP addresses or other data. From the moment a NordVPN.com user turns on the NordVPN.com software, their internet data becomes encrypted. Any online traffic coming from their user’s device is no longer visible to ISP, third-party snoopers or cybercriminals.”
If you are planning on paying for your NordVPN subscription with PayPal, you might want to consider a different payment method or choose a different service like ExpressVPN who work with PayPal, as NordVPN does not.
Nord’s customer service has been voted as the best in 2018, offering live chat or assistance via email and have a detailed FAQ section in their Help Center. Some more reasons as to why NordVPN is one of the best choices for Cuba include:
- Over 5000 servers in 62 countries
- IP Leak protection
- Double VPN
- CyberSec
- Onion over VPN
- Simultaneous connections on up to 6 devices
- Automatic Kill Switch
- 30-day money back guarantee
- Set-up and installation takes just minutes
- 24-hour customer support
Want to find out more? Check out the full review here.
Internet Privacy Laws and Regulations
Cuba is not a free country when it comes to their Internet Freedom Score according to Freedom on the Net 2018. If you are thinking of taking a trip to Cuba, you should know that there is a mere 30% internet coverage rate. Worse still, the internet is still illegal for some Cuban citizens to own. Any sparse internet connection you may get hold of in Cuba will be heavily monitored by the government.
“The backbone structure of the internet in Cuba is entirely controlled by the government, and state authorities have the capability and the legal mandate to restrict connectivity at will. At times of heightened political sensitivity, the government has used its complete control of the cell phone network to selectively obstruct citizens’ communications.
A report published by the Open Observatory of Network Interference (OONI) in August 2017 found that Skype was the only popular communication tool to be blocked, based on tests conducted between May and mid-June 2017.”
There are also state-sponsored thieves who are prying on vulnerable users, which have led to many people in Cuba to get creative.
“Cuban law places strict limits on free speech and outlaws independent media. Although many foreign news websites are accessible from internet access points, websites focused on Cuban news and websites run by Cuban dissidents are often blocked.
Despite connectivity limitations, Cubans have been able to access content through improvisational underground networks and USB flash drives containing content downloaded from the internet. Several independent web-based information sites have also emerged, offering alternative discourses about the Cuban reality.”
All the internet services are provided by the ETSECA in Cuba, which is a state-owned telecommunications company, with the WiFi named Nauta. If you are a tourist hoping to get online, the only way you can do this is head over to the ETSECA office and buy a scratch-off card. There, you will be given both a login and password which can be used to access the public WiFi for around $2 per hour.
Your internet connection is excruciatingly slow, with some of the simplest apps like Facebook Messenger running at 1Mbps, which compared to 18Mbps, the average for the US, is beyond slow. Speaking out against the Cuban government is not something you want to do online or at all for that matter. Journalists in particular often suffer from threats and harassment as well as interrogations.
“Surveillance of ICTs in Cuba is widespread, and dissident bloggers are subject to punishments ranging from fines and searches to confiscation of equipment and detentions. Anonymity and encryption technologies are strictly prohibited in Cuba, and web access points, such as Wi-Fi hotspots, cybercafés, and access centers, are closely monitored and users are required to register with their identification information.”
Cuban Streaming Services
Going overseas to the US might mean that you still want to watch your favorite television shows or keep in touch with what is happening in Cuba. A VPN will allow you to connect to some of your favorite channels including:
The Bottom Line
On the one hand, Cuba is one of the most beautiful holiday destinations in the world, and there is no reason as to why you shouldn’t make the trip over and discover the culture, people and history of the region. Cuba is also home to some of the most breathtaking beaches on the planet.
However, with one of the most restrictive internet environments in the world, Cuba is one place that will require a VPN connection in order to ensure a secure internet connection. With such widespread monitoring going on in the country, it is wise not to make any comments regarding the political climate of Cuba.
Being one of the last five communist countries in the world, the socialist system is alive and well and they do not take well to criticism.
Investing in the right VPN means that you will remain anonymous to Cuban officials and any state-funded third-party snoops. With speed being one of the most important factors in a place like Cuba, ExpressVPN is by far the best choice.
For the fastest connection from anywhere in the world, get Express VPN to bypass content blocks.