Cuba may have given us exquisite cigars and the amazing Camila Cabello, but even China has nothing on this island nation regarding censorship. Without a VPN, there’s not much you can do, and NordVPN is the best VPN for Cuba.
NordVPN has 7,000+ servers in 150 countries (including about 2,500 US servers) for unblocking restricted content on Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and others in Cuba. More importantly, its Obfuscated servers hide the fact that you’re using a VPN from government-controlled ISPs, while its kill switch and AES 256-bit encryption stop IP leaks and snooping.
If NordVPN doesn’t meet your needs, you can try four other Cuba VPN alternatives.
There’s Surfshark (unlimited simultaneous connections at a lower price), CyberGhost (largest server network), ExpressVPN (automatic obfuscation), and PureVPN (best public WiFi protection).
Therefore, if you’re in Cuba or planning to travel to the beautiful island but want to stay in touch with the outside world, this VPN services guide is exactly what you need. Strap in and get ready for the ride.
The 3 Top VPNs for Cuba
Surfshark
Best for groups and families
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- Camouflage Mode obfuscation
- 4,500+ servers in 100 countries
NordVPN
Best for privacy and streaming
- Obfuscated and Double VPN servers
- 7,000+ servers in 150 countries
- Fast NordLynx streaming
CyberGhost
Best for server choice
- 9,400+ servers
- NoSpy servers
- 45-day money-back guarantee
Cuba is a mixed bag as far as internet censorship, and geo-restrictions are concerned.
You have an authoritarian government out to stamp anything foreign, a culture that started with the Cold War. Here are some notable facts about censorship in Cuba to paint a clearer picture of why a VPN is necessary.
- You can be jailed (without trial) for expressing opinions critical of the government.
- The government controls all media and ISPs. So, it sees everything the ISPs see, and there’s no privacy for your online activities.
- Cubans weren’t allowed to own computers until 2008, and public WiFi hotspots started operationally in 2015, still controlled by the government.
On top of all these restrictions, Cuba is subjected to heavy sanctions from the Western world, which means no access to streaming platforms like Netflix, Hulu, or BBC iPlayer. You can’t even use payment services like PayPal or Transferwise.
Therefore, you need a VPN to unlock the internet from within Cuba.
In Cuba and Need a Quick Solution to Deal With Heavy Censorship? Check These VPNs Out
Are you struggling to stream the latest movies on Netflix or watch your favorite team play live from Cuba? Here are the 5 VPNs to use at a glance.
- NordVPN – Best Overall for Privacy and Streaming in Cuba
- Surfshark – Best Value for Money With Unlimited Device Connections
- CyberGhost – Largest Server Network With NoSpy Servers
- ExpressVPN – Fastest Streaming Speeds + Automatic Obfuscation
- PureVPN – Best for Live Streaming + WiFi Protection
All the Cuba VPN services were subjected to a speed test to ascertain their ability to sustain 4K streaming and fast torrenting. I used base internet speeds of 30 Mbps, so keep that in mind when going through the comparisons in the mini-reviews.
The Best VPNs for Bypassing Censorship in Cuba
Ready to see how each VPN fared in the tests and how to bypass heavy censorship without getting into trouble? Here’s the detailed breakdown.
NordVPN - Best Overall for Privacy and Streaming in Cuba
| Location | Global Servers | Connections | Average Speeds | Best Deal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Panama | 7,000+ | Ten | 28 Mbps | Show Offer |
Unblocking Capabilities
NordVPN tops this review because it’s the one VPN here that gets both halves of the Cuba problem right: it hides the fact that you’re using a VPN from a government that treats VPN use as dissent, and it’s fast enough to stream once you’re through.
Its network of 7,000+ servers in 150 countries is second only to CyberGhost’s by raw count, but it covers far more countries than anything else on this list, so you’re never stuck on an overcrowded server.
Like CyberGhost, this VPN provider has specialty servers, and it now allows P2P on all its standard servers for the fastest torrenting speeds.
Thus, you can easily unblock torrenting sites like Pirate Bay or RARBG and download files faster.
Some US streaming platforms you can access from Cuba with NordVPN include Apple TV+, Peacock TV, and Sling TV. This is made possible by NordVPN’s extensive server network of about 2,500 US servers, the biggest US count any VPN on this list publishes. These shared servers make it harder for anyone to track your activities when you access blacklisted online resources.
The feature that matters most in Cuba, though, is NordVPN’s Obfuscated servers. They wrap your VPN traffic to look like regular HTTPS, so a government-controlled ISP that blocks or flags VPN connections sees nothing unusual. Pair them with the Double VPN servers, which encrypt your traffic twice, when you need maximum cover.
Both cost speed (obfuscation especially), so I use them for messaging and posting, then switch back to a regular server for streaming and torrenting.
Privacy From Heavy Surveillance
On top of its Obfuscated and Double VPN servers, NordVPN has a kill switch for IP and DNS leak protection. It kicks into action when the VPN connection drops, stopping the Cuban government or its state-run ISP, ETECSA, from deanonymizing you.
The VPN provider also uses AES 256-bit encryption that scrambles your live traffic to stop third parties like the government, hackers, or your ISP from viewing or monitoring what you do online.
Since every piece of your online traffic goes through your ISP’s servers, you can imagine the danger you’ll be in if you’re critical of the Cuban government without a VPN.
And because most Cubans get online through public WiFi parks, NordVPN’s Threat Protection is a welcome bonus. It blocks malicious sites and trackers before they load, and the Pro version (on the higher-tier plans) also scans downloads for malware.
The strict no-logs policy is another NordVPN advantage to keep your activities far from the wrong hands. No matter what you say online, or the websites you visit, NordVPN won’t store your digital footprint, erasing everything behind you.
Furthermore, since it’s located in Panama, this VPN service isn’t obligated to hand over your usage data to the Cuban government as it’s not within its jurisdiction.
Connection Speeds
NordVPN can give you amazing speeds, depending on the servers and protocols you use. Using the since-retired P2P servers and its exclusive NordLynx protocol, I averaged 28 Mbps, the second fastest after ExpressVPN and level with Surfshark.
Streaming 4K content or downloading huge files within minutes was a walk in the park with this Virtual Private Network. In fact, you’ll bypass speed throttling by the government-controlled ISPs, unlocking true streaming freedom.
The only time it slows down is on the Obfuscated and Double VPN servers, which is the price of the extra cover. Switch back to a regular NordLynx server when you’re done.
Device Compatibility + Customer Support
NordVPN has native apps for Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, and iOS. Most Cubans use these major operating systems, meaning you can avoid internet censorship on the move.
It also allows up to ten simultaneous connections: not unlimited like Surfshark, but three more than CyberGhost and enough for a family or a small activist group.
US dollars · checked Nov 9
Original pricing screenshot
Offers shown in this screenshot may differ from the current deal.
Finally, NordVPN starts at about the same price as ExpressVPN, though Surfshark and PureVPN undercut it.
Don’t let that discourage you. You get a 30-day money-back guarantee on top of NordVPN’s current deal. If you’re paying for relatives on the island, check every NordVPN promo we could verify before sharing the login with them.
Pros
- Obfuscated servers hide your VPN use from government-controlled ISPs
- 7,000+ servers in 150 countries, including about 2,500 in the US
- 28 Mbps for fast streaming/torrenting
- Kill switch for IP leak protection
- Military-grade encryption + Double VPN servers
- Threat Protection blocks malicious sites on public WiFi
Cons
- Obfuscated and Double VPN servers are noticeably slower
- Slightly slower than ExpressVPN
Surfshark - Best Value for Money With Unlimited Device Connections
| Location | Global Servers | Connections | Average Speeds | Best Deal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Netherlands | 4500+ | Unlimited | 28 Mbps | Show Offer |
Unblocking Capabilities
Surfshark is my runner-up, and the VPN I’d point a family or an activist group to: it’s one of the most affordable premium VPNs on this list, and it’s the only one with unlimited simultaneous connections.
Its 4,500+ global servers in 100 countries are fewer than NordVPN’s or CyberGhost’s, and it doesn’t have specialty servers like those two, but it unblocked every streaming site and restricted website I tested.
For those that love catching up with the latest movies and shows from American streaming sites, Surfshark has over 600 US servers, providing you with plenty of unblocking options. The same applies to content from Europe, Africa, and Asia, where the provider has servers spanning 100 countries.
Privacy From Heavy Surveillance
Surfshark comes with AES 256-bit encryption, rendering your traffic useless to anyone trying to see what you’re up to. Without the deciphering keys, all a hacker, ISP, or the government will see is a gibberish text without any valuable information they can use against you.
Additionally, IP leak protection through an advanced kill switch (two for Android users) stops your IP address from being seen when your VPN connection drops. You’ll get re-connected to the internet once the VPN server re-establishes the connection, keeping you extra secure.
Surfshark also answers Cuba’s VPN-hostile network with two features of its own. Camouflage Mode obfuscates your traffic so your ISP can’t tell you’re on a VPN, and NoBorders mode automatically surfaces the servers that work best on restricted networks.
You can rest assured Surfshark won’t give your information to the Cuban government, even when it comes with all the warrants in the world.
Its strict no-logging policy means that nothing related to user activities is saved in any format. Thus, there won’t be anything to hand over, to begin with.
Connection Speeds
Surfshark is fast, and it was no surprise when it registered average speeds of 28 Mbps after testing 5 random servers, matching NordVPN and finishing just 1 Mbps behind ExpressVPN. This can handle 4K streaming, live streaming, torrenting, and sharing huge files without delays or buffering.
Two things contribute to these amazing speeds: the fast protocols (WireGuard and IKEv2), and the VPN keeps upgrading its servers to keep up with the growing user demand as more people turn to VPNs to deal with censorship.
Furthermore, Surfshark can work around speed throttling and any other type of interference from the government-run ISP, ETECSA.
So you can say goodbye to slow speeds or sudden disconnections without warning.
Device Compatibility + Customer Support
The VPN is compatible with Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, and iOS and comes with clean user interfaces that are perfect for newbies.
Surfshark is also the only VPN here that allows you to connect an unlimited number of devices simultaneously.
This is exactly what activist groups, tourists, and travelers need to secure all their devices using the same subscription.
US dollars · checked Nov 9
Original pricing screenshot
Offers shown in this screenshot may differ from the current deal.
The price plans are also among the most affordable for anyone needing a premium VPN in Cuba.
Where Surfshark gives ground to NordVPN is reach and extras. NordVPN has about 50% more servers, covers 50 more countries, and adds Double VPN servers and Threat Protection, all of which count for a lot when the whole internet is being filtered. For a family or an activist group that has to cover a lot of devices on a tight budget, though, Surfshark is the better fit.
Check out these amazing discounts to save more if Surfshark is your preferred choice, and test it under its 30-day money-back guarantee. For activist groups and families sharing one plan, our Surfshark coupon page explains every discount we verified, including referrals.
Pros
- 4,500+ servers in 100 countries for unblocking restricted content
- 28 Mbps for fast streaming/torrenting
- Kill switch for IP leak protection
- Camouflage Mode and NoBorders mode for restrictive networks
- Unlimited simultaneous device connections
- Very affordable price plans
Cons
- Smaller server network than NordVPN and CyberGhost
- No specialty servers like NordVPN and CyberGhost
CyberGhost - Largest Server Network With NoSpy Servers
| Location | Global Servers | Connections | Average Speeds | Best Deal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Romania | 9400+ | Seven | 27 Mbps | Show Offer |
Unblocking Capabilities
One of the major reasons for CyberGhost making this list is its vast server network. It has 9400+ servers, the most of any VPN here, which is ideal for preventing server overcrowding for potential millions of VPN users in a country like Cuba that’s blocked from virtually every online resource in North America, Europe, Africa, and Asia.
These servers unblock streaming platforms like Hulu, Netflix, and Amazon Prime without buffering. The same applies to music platforms like Pandora, iHeartRadio, or Qobuz from Europe.
In fact, activists fighting censorship can upload their content to any global website through the VPN without getting caught by the government.
Another helpful feature that would facilitate private internet access in Cuba is the specialty NoSpy servers owned and operated by CyberGhost.
They make you untraceable online, something activists and government dissidents will truly appreciate.
That said, the feature Cuba demands most is the one CyberGhost is missing: it has no obfuscation. On a network that actively looks for VPN traffic, NordVPN’s Obfuscated servers and Surfshark’s Camouflage Mode disguise your connection, while CyberGhost can’t. It also lacks a proprietary protocol like NordLynx and a Double VPN option, and it was slower than NordVPN, Surfshark, and ExpressVPN in my tests.
Privacy From Heavy Surveillance
CyberGhost keeps you safe from ISP and government surveillance through a reliable kill switch that prevents accidental IP leaks anytime your VPN connection drops. This could save your life, considering what could happen if the government got hold of your real information as a critic.
The AES 256-bit encryption is another buffer that keeps any government snooping out of your business. There’s nothing the Cuban government can do to breach this because, without the deciphering keys, even the most powerful computer ever made wouldn’t leave a scratch.
Furthermore, a public WiFi protection feature works alongside encryption to hide your traffic when using government-controlled WiFi hotspots in public.
Don’t lose sleep over CyberGhost handing over your user data to the Cuban government, either. The VPN provider has a strict no-log policy, storing nothing about you after each session. With its headquarters in Romania, a non-surveillance country, you can rest easy knowing nothing can be traced to you.
Connection Speeds
CyberGhost is fast, largely due to the streaming and torrenting servers that optimize speeds over everything else. I averaged 27 Mbps using random US, UK, and South Africa servers. This is fast enough to handle 4K streaming without buffering and download files quickly without long waiting times, even if it trails the top three by a couple of Mbps.
For the best results, select the WireGuard protocol before connecting to the nearest speed-optimized servers.
Furthermore, CyberGhost’s connection is stable without data caps or bandwidth limitations. No matter how much speed throttling ETECSA applies, you can stream anything you want without being affected.
Device Compatibility + Customer Support
CyberGhost assures Cuban users of flexibility as it’s compatible with Android, iOS, macOS, Windows, and Linux. So you can stay connected from any device, even when you’re on the move.
In addition, you can connect up to 7 simultaneous devices.
That’s short of what NordVPN and Surfshark offer but functional for a small group of users who need a secure way to download torrents, get important information out, or travelers looking to stay safe in the country.
US dollars · checked Nov 9
Original pricing screenshot
Offers shown in this screenshot may differ from the current deal.
This VPN provider isn’t expensive either, and it’s the only one with a 45-day money-back guarantee for long-term plans. Check out CyberGhost’s current deal to save on your purchase.
Pros
- Largest server network to bypass geo-restrictions
- 27 Mbps for fast streaming/torrenting
- Kill switch for IP leak protection
- Military-grade encryption + public WiFi protection
- NoSpy servers for extra anonymity
- 45-day money-back guarantee
Cons
- No obfuscation to hide VPN use from the ISP
- Slower than NordVPN, Surfshark, and ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN - Fastest Streaming Speeds + Automatic Obfuscation
| Location | Global Servers | Connections | Average Test Speeds | Best Deal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BVI | 113 countries | Ten | 29 Mbps | Show Offer |
Unblocking Capabilities
ExpressVPN no longer publishes a server count, but its servers are spread across 113 countries, second only to NordVPN on this list.
These servers can unblock anything you want from Cuba, but the real kicker comes from the automatic obfuscation that works with all protocols and servers without slowing down speeds.
So, you get to stream your favorite shows or download files at high speeds while getting cloaked from heavy surveillance, even the kind that blocks VPNs.
However, you only get 25 servers in the US, which is both bad and good:
It’s bad because the chances of landing on an overcrowded server are high, and, depending on different factors, can affect overall performance.
It’s good because a crowded server means you’re using shared IPs, making it hard for the Cuban government or your ISP to track you in a sea of hundreds of other users.
Privacy From Heavy Surveillance
First, a Network Lock kill switch shuts the internet down when the VPN connection drops. This prevents IP leaks, and the little inconvenience you may get is better than spending months in prison because you said something critical about the government on an exposed IP.
That’s not all.
ExpressVPN has state-of-the-art encryption that uses 256-bit keys to secure your live internet traffic. This keeps you safe and secure on public networks that the Cuban government constantly monitors.
Furthermore, ExpressVPN doesn’t share your data with anyone, thanks to a strict no-log policy. Sensitive information tied to you, like your IP address, browsing history, traffic destination, metadata, and DNS queries, will never see the light of day.
So, browse confidently without looking over your shoulder.
Connection Speeds
ExpressVPN has always been fast, and I registered average speeds of 29 Mbps over random servers worldwide. This is fast enough for speedy downloads and 4K streaming without buffering.
The VPN provider will also help you skirt speed throttling from Cuba’s state-run ISP, ETECSA, giving you the freedom to enjoy the fast internet you pay for.
Besides the constant server speed upgrades, ExpressVPN relies on its in-house Lightway UDP protocol, the fastest in its arsenal, to supply these fantastic speeds. Combine that with the closest servers around Cuba, and you’ll have the best browsing experience in such a restrictive environment.
Device Compatibility + Customer Support
Like all the other alternatives on this list, you can install ExpressVPN directly on Android, iOS, macOS, Windows, and Linux, with up to 10 simultaneous connections on its Basic plan, matching NordVPN and PureVPN. That’s enough to secure every device in your possession and ensure you’re always using encrypted tunnels for all your online activities.
US dollars · checked Nov 9
Original pricing screenshot
Offers shown in this screenshot may differ from the current deal.
Unfortunately, ExpressVPN is costly, well above what you’d pay for PureVPN. The good news is you don’t have to list your kidney on eBay to afford a subscription. We have these sweet discount deals you can take advantage of right now.
Pros
- Servers in 113 countries for unblocking restricted content
- 29 Mbps for fast streaming/torrenting
- Kill switch for IP leak protection
- Military-grade encryption
- Automatic obfuscation
Cons
- Expensive
- Fewer countries than NordVPN
PureVPN - Best for Live Streaming + WiFi Protection
| Location | Global Servers | Connections | Average Speeds | Best Deal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BVI | 6000+ | Ten | 26 Mbps | Show Offer |
Unblocking Capabilities
PureVPN is a secure VPN with one of the largest server networks here, at 6000+ servers; only CyberGhost and NordVPN publish bigger counts. Of these, 1800+ are located in the US, so you can bypass censorship and unblock Hulu, HBO Max, Sling TV, Peacock, Amazon Prime, or Netflix, among many others.
PureVPN also has P2P and streaming servers and is particularly known for being very reliable in live streaming. You can catch NBA action with a US server or keep tabs on your favorite football team from the comfort of your beach house in Havana if you’re a European football fan like me.
Privacy From Heavy Surveillance
PureVPN is equipped with AES 256-bit encryption to ensure all your online activities are safely hidden behind an impenetrable wall that no hacker, ISP, or government agency can breach. If someone were to apply brute force hacking, it would take them billions of years to crack due to the sheer number of possible combinations.
In addition, you get a decent kill switch that takes care of accidental IP leaks whenever your VPN connection is interrupted. This ensures your online identity and any associated information aren’t leaked, holding the fort until the VPN connection is restored.
But where PureVPN truly excels is the Secure WiFi feature that protects you on public WiFi hotspots you may connect to like at Hotel Deauville Habana or Ignacio Agramonte in Havana. Secure WiFi constantly scans any new WiFi you connect to, checking for potential hackers and traffic surveillance.
Otherwise, you may fall victim to hacking, man-in-the-middle, session hijacking, or phishing attacks.
Lastly, PureVPN is based in the British Virgin Islands, like ExpressVPN, which isn’t part of any surveillance alliances. This means the VPN provider can’t be legally compelled to share your browsing history, actual IP address, or the DNS requests your devices send because the Cuban government doesn’t have jurisdiction in the BVI.
Connection Speeds
PureVPN registered 26 Mbps on my speed tests, just a little short of CyberGhost. But this is enough for 4K streaming, torrenting, and watching live events without buffering or lag. Additionally, the VPN doesn’t have data caps, so you don’t have to worry about ISP speed throttling.
It owes its speeds to constantly-upgraded servers to accommodate the growing needs of its clientele. The presence of fast protocols like WireGuard also ensures stable PureVPN connections to sustain prolonged usage without connection drops.
Device Compatibility + Customer Support
PureVPN can be installed on Android, iOS, macOS, Windows, and Linux, so Cuban residents can secure preferred devices to counter government interference. Furthermore, the VPN allows 10 simultaneous device connections, level with NordVPN and ExpressVPN and second only to Surfshark’s unlimited plan, which is sufficient for a large user group.
US dollars · checked Nov 11
Original pricing screenshot
Offers shown in this screenshot may differ from the current deal.
It gets better.
This VPN service provider is one of the cheapest, with a 31-day money-back guarantee, the second longest after CyberGhost. Remember to grab PureVPN’s current deal if this VPN service ticks all your boxes.
Pros
- 6000+ servers for unblocking restricted content
- 26 Mbps for fast streaming/torrenting
- Kill switch for IP leak protection + Secure WiFi
- Military-grade encryption
Cons
- Slowest VPN on this list
How to Bypass Restrictions in Cuba With a VPN?
Ready to give your VPN a test run in Cuba? Here’s how you do it.
- Subscribe to, and install, NordVPN on your device.
- Launch the VPN and connect to a server located outside Cuba. If the connection gets blocked, pick Obfuscated servers from the app’s Specialty servers list and try again.
- Start browsing anything you want.
What Is Banned in Cuba?
There are a lot of websites and online resources banned in Cuba.
Some notable ones include the following.
| SOCIAL MEDIA | FINANCIAL SERVICES | STREAMING |
|---|---|---|
| Snapchat | PayPal | Netflix |
| Telegram | TransferWise | Hulu |
| Signal | Amazon Prime | |
| HBO Max | ||
| Disney+ | ||
| Apple TV+ |
FAQ
Can a Free VPN Work in Cuba?
A free VPN can work in Cuba, but it’s not recommended due to the risks involved. First, most free VPNs don’t adhere to strict no-logging policies and are based in countries that are part of the surveillance alliances, so your user data can be handed to the Cuban government. Free VPNs also have limited server networks, making it hard to unblock any restricted content. Finally, they lack vital security features like obfuscation and public WiFi protection, making them unsafe.
Is Using a VPN in Cuba Punishable by Law?
Using a VPN in Cuba is legal, and no outright law stipulates punishment.
However, you may get into trouble since the Cuban government is heavy on censorship, and using VPNs may be seen as a form of dissent.
Final Word
Internet freedom in Cuba remains elusive for many, and reliable VPNs like NordVPN are among the only effective solutions left for the people.
Why NordVPN? It has Obfuscated servers that hide your VPN use from government-controlled ISPs, 7,000+ servers (2000+ in the US) for unblocking restricted content in Cuba, amazing streaming speeds, IP leak protection, and Double VPN for an extra layer of cover, and it’s compatible with common smartphones and PC devices.
If you’re in Cuba and thinking of getting a subscription, grab these unbeatable deals and enjoy your internet freedom.
