5 Best VPNs for Costa Rica in 2025 for Browsing and Security

Finding a reliable VPN for Costa Rica is tricky because many providers lack local servers, leading to slow speeds or blocked access to local sites. Others fall short on privacy, which is a concern as cybercrime in Costa Rica has risen sharply in recent years, and digital protections are still developing.

To help you stay secure and access Costa Rican content smoothly, my team and I tested over 50 VPNs. We looked for services that offer stable speeds, strong encryption, and server coverage both inside Costa Rica and abroad — ideal whether you're browsing locally or trying to reach Costa Rican services while traveling.

Best VPNs for Costa Rica — Full Analysis (Updated 2025)

1. ExpressVPN — Fastest Speeds for Streaming Local Shows in Buffer-Free HD From Costa Rica

Editor’s Choice Editor’s Choice Try Risk-Free for 30 Days
Tested July 2025

Works With:

Sky ESPN+ Dazn FIFA+

Netflix Disney+ APV More

Try ExpressVPN >

www.expressvpn.com

ExpressVPN’s fast speeds made it consistently capable of streaming local sites in HD. While in Costa Rica, I tested ExpressVPN using the Smart Location feature, and my speed only dropped by 4%. At 111 Mbps, compared to my baseline of 115 Mbps, I didn’t notice a difference while.

The Smart Location feature automatically uses the fastest server for local streaming

For privacy, ExpressVPN uses TrustedServer technology that wipes all data on every reboot. It’s based in the British Virgin Islands and has an independently audited no-logs policy. I also ran DNS and IP leak tests on local servers and found no exposure during any session.

I found that its apps are intuitive, so there’s no real learning curve. The design is minimalistic, with a large “Connect” button on the home screen to get a secure connection in Costa Rica right away. Plus, it looks almost the same on all devices, so you don’t have to learn how each interface works from scratch when you switch from mobile to desktop.

The only downside is that ExpressVPN is slightly more expensive than the competition. However, the value it offers is well worth it. You can try it confidently as it comes with a 30-day* money-back guarantee. If you’re unsatisfied, just contact support via 24/7 live chat, give your offer details, and ask for a refund.

Useful Features

• Costa Rica-ready servers. ExpressVPN’s network includes a local server that supports secure streaming, browsing, and online banking without switching to a specialized server.
• Built-in obfuscation. All servers have built-in obfuscation, which disguises your data as regular traffic. This helps you get past network restrictions at work or school that typically block streaming traffic and social media sites.
• 24/7 live chat support. The customer support at ExpressVPN had some of the quickest replies of any I’ve tested. I’ve never waited more than 2-3 minutes using live chat, and they always had thorough answers to my questions about using a VPN in Costa Rica.
• Built-in tracker blocking. The Threat Manager helps reduce tracking by apps and sites, offering added privacy on Costa Rican networks.

2. CyberGhost — Smart Rules to Protect Your Devices Seamlessly on Costa Rica’s Public WiFi

Works With:

Sky ESPN+ Dazn FIFA+

Netflix Disney+ APV More

Try CyberGhost VPN >

www.cyberghostvpn.com

CyberGhost can automatically turn on before your device uses certain networks, keeping your devices safe when you travel in Costa Rica. I set the Smart Rules to connect before using any new WiFi network, preventing unsafe connections while I was sightseeing in San José. Plus, AES 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, and leak protection protect you from data exposure.

You can make different Smart Rules for any app or network

Based in Romania, I felt safe entrusting my online activity in Costa Rica to CyberGhost. It’s one of the most privacy-friendly countries and has no major role in global intelligence sharing. Deloitte has verified its no-logs policy and releases frequent transparency reports about data requests it receives.

The VPN’s most distant servers had the least consistent speeds on this list, with drops sometimes up to 20%. However, in Costa Rica, I got speeds of 112 Mbps while testing CyberGhost’s local server in San Jose. It was only a few percentage points slower than my regular 117 Mbps connection.

While its monthly option is expensive, you can get the best price with CyberGhost’s long-term offers. There’s also a generous 45-day money-back guarantee so you can try it out completely risk-free.

Useful Features

• Content Blocker. Removes most ads and trackers on Costa Rican news and streaming sites, improving page load times and security.
• Optimized servers. CyberGhost offers optimized servers for specific activities. For example, it has a P2P server in Costa Rica for fast and secure torrenting.
• Privacy Guard. Disables background apps and services that often collect data — helpful for reducing unwanted tracking.
• Use a random port to connect. This feature is handy in Costa Rica for using the VPN despite unfair network restrictions. By choosing a port randomly, the VPN can work even on WiFi hotspots with built-in limitations.

3. Private Internet Access — Balance Security and Speed for Different Online Activities in Costa Rica

Works With:

ESPN+ FIFA+ Netflix Disney+

APV More

Try Private Internet Access >

www.privateinternetaccess.com

PIA lets you prioritize speed or security based on your needs. To use my online bank from Costa Rica, I used OpenVPN with 256-bit encryption — this ensured the best possible security for sensitive tasks like banking. For faster connections, I switched to 128-bit encryption and WireGuard protocol for torrenting and other bandwidth-heavy activities.

You can set the MTU packet size to “small” for better reliability on slower networks

PIA’s extensive network provides fast and reliable connections in Costa Rica and abroad. They weren't overcrowded during my tests while in San Jose. I got speeds of 115 Mbps testing PIA’s Costa Rica server — just a 5% drop from when I tested my baseline speed of 121 Mbps, enough to stream in UHD, download games on Steam, and browse simultaneously.

If you’re new to VPNs, PIA’s interface can seem overwhelming. However, its default settings work great for most activities, so you don’t have to mess with them unless you want to. Plus, if you need help, I found that its 24/7 live chat is always available within a few minutes. They were always helpful and quick in answering my questions.

You can try PIA using its 30-day money-back guarantee. This gives you a way to test its features and connection quality in Costa Rica without a long-term commitment.

Useful Features

• MACE blocker. Removes ads and trackers from local news and entertainment sites in Costa Rica, improving page load speed and device performance.
• Connection automation. Set rules to auto-connect the VPN when joining unknown networks — useful for staying protected on public WiFi in cafés or airports.
• Port forwarding. Helps improve P2P download speeds while connected to the Costa Rica server, ideal for safe torrenting.

4. NordVPN — Threat Protection Safeguards You From Online Dangers in Costa Rica

Works With:

Sky ESPN+ Dazn FIFA+

Netflix Disney+ APV More

Try NordVPN >

www.nordvpn.com

NordVPN’s Threat Protection helps protect against malware-infected websites and trackers, which is useful when browsing Costa Rican sites that may not use HTTPS. Its file-scanning feature adds another layer of security, especially when downloading from unfamiliar sources or using open networks like those in hostels or co-working spaces.

Under “Excluded domains” you can add websites that you don’t need protected

I got high speeds above 111 Mbps, which is fast enough for most activities. While in San Jose, my speeds dropped by only 3% when testing NordVPN’s Quick Connect. Streaming local content like Repretel or accessing government portals remained smooth and responsive, with no buffering or lag.

While NordVPN doesn’t have streaming servers, I didn’t have any problem accessing and streaming on Netflix and other platforms. Plus, the special servers you do get are geared towards extra security. NordVPN offers obfuscated, Double VPN, Onion over VPN, and P2P servers, each designed for a specific purpose.

Being dangerously close to ExpressVPN in raw performance, NordVPN is the perfect option if you want a more security-oriented VPN to keep you protected on Costa Rican public networks. It gives you a 30-day refund window so you can try it risk-free. If unsatisfied, you can cancel your purchase in the dashboard and then request a refund by contacting a live chat agent.

Useful Features

• Based in Panama. NordVPN is headquartered in Panama, a country known for its robust privacy laws. If you’re in Costa Rica, this means your data is away from the prying eyes of surveillance agencies.
• NordLynx protocol. Built on WireGuard, this protocol helps maintain fast speeds on local servers while minimizing battery use on mobile.
• Leak protection. DNS and IP leak prevention keeps your location private across all Costa Rica connections — my tests showed no data leaks during usage.

5. Surfshark — Rotating IP Protects You From Trackers While Browsing in Costa Rica

Works With:

Sky ESPN+ Dazn FIFA+

Netflix Disney+ APV More

Try Surfshark >

www.surfshark.com

Surfshark’s Rotating IP feature changes your IP address every few minutes without interrupting your connection. This makes it harder for websites and trackers to associate your activity with a single identity. I tested this while browsing Costa Rican news sites and switching between login pages — session cookies kept resetting and I didn’t see repeat ads.

Surfshark's Rotating IP features make it hard for snoopers to track you in Costa Rica

It also has Camouflage mode to disguise the VPN as regular traffic, allowing you to use it on limited networks, like some shared WiFi hotspots at local Costa Rican cafes. These often have VPN blockers that don’t let you use essential web services like your online bank.

Surfshark has no cap on simultaneous connections, so you never have to worry about interruptions in Costa Rica from maxing out your logins. Performance held steady even when my team and I used Surfshark on 10 devices simultaneously. I’ve seen VPNs start glitching when you connect too many devices, but Surfshark held up pretty well.

One downside is that Surfshark is based in the Netherlands, part of the 9 Eyes Alliance. However, its no-logs policy has been independently audited by Deloitte. If you want to test how it performs across Costa Rica’s networks, it comes with a 30 money-back refund policy.

Useful Features

• NoBorders mode. Detects restricted networks and adjusts settings automatically. This is helpful in Costa Rican hotels, airports, or schools where VPNs may be blocked.
• GPS spoofing (Android only). Matches your GPS location with your Costa Rica IP, which prevents location mismatches in local mobile apps.
• Invisible on LAN. Hides your device from others on the same WiFi to give you extra privacy on shared networks in public places.

Tips on Choosing the Best VPN for Costa Rica

We tested each VPN to see how well it performs on Costa Rica’s networks — including speed tests on local servers, stability on public WiFi, and access to local sites and services. If you’re comparing options yourself, here’s what to prioritize:

• Costa Rica servers. Make sure the VPN has servers in Costa Rica and globally so you can browse local and international content without issues.
• Obfuscation support. Look for obfuscation or stealth modes that let you connect even on networks that try to block VPNs.
• Stable speeds. A good VPN shouldn’t slow you down much. The best ones keep speeds close to normal on Costa Rican servers.
• Strong privacy setup. Go for a VPN with a no-logs policy and RAM-only servers, especially if you’re often on shared networks.
• Cross-device compatibility. Whether you're on your phone, laptop, or tablet, the VPN should work the same way across all your devices.

FAQs on Using a VPN for Costa Rica

Are VPNs legal in Costa Rica?

Yes, VPNs are completely legal in Costa Rica. You can use a reliable VPN to protect your privacy, secure public WiFi connections, or access your online accounts while traveling. Just keep in mind that using a VPN for illegal activities (like piracy) is still against the law, and streaming platforms may block VPN traffic under their terms of use.

Why do I need a VPN for Costa Rica?

A good VPN keeps your online activity private and secure while you’re in Costa Rica. It hides your IP address, encrypts your data, and helps protect you on public WiFi, like at airports or hotels. It’s also useful if you’re traveling and need to access Costa Rican services like your bank or government portals from abroad without running into location errors.

Which is the best VPN for iPhone in Costa Rica?

Most of the VPNs I’ve picked above have great, feature-rich iOS apps. My top pick is ExpressVPN because of its best all-around performance, super fast speeds, and military-grade security.

Can I use a free VPN for Costa Rica?

You can, but I don’t recommend it. Most free VPNs don’t even have servers in Costa Rica, so you may be unable to use them for local sites and services. Many of their IPs are also blocklisted, so they don’t work with local Costa Rican streaming platforms. Using a premium VPN with a money-back guarantee is much safer.

Free VPNs don’t have the same advanced security features as paid VPNs, and most sell your data to third parties to make money. What’s more, with smaller and less advanced server networks, they tend to suffer from overcrowding and slow speeds.

What Costa Rican TV can I watch using a VPN?

You can use a VPN from this list to securely stream Costa Rican channels like Canal 7, Canal 13, and Extra TV 42 while you’re in the country. Just be aware that some platforms restrict access outside of Costa Rica. Using a VPN to get around those blocks may go against their terms of service, so it’s best to check before trying.

Will a Costa Rica VPN slow my internet down?

A VPN can slightly reduce your speed, but the difference is usually small. The best ones are optimized to keep things running smoothly, even when connected to a secure server. In most cases, you’ll still be able to stream, browse, and use apps in Costa Rica without noticeable lag.

Get the Best VPN for Costa Rica

You don’t want to waste your time struggling with slow connections, servers that don’t work, or being locked out of local apps and sites, especially when traveling or relying on public WiFi in Costa Rica. A good VPN solves these issues, letting you browse securely without worrying if your connection will fail when you need it most.

ExpressVPN handled all of these challenges best, offering reliable servers in Costa Rica, strong speeds, and practical security for real-life scenarios. But no matter which VPN you choose, make sure it aligns with your needs first because your online experience should feel effortless, secure, and reliable every time.