Updated on: April 23, 2024
3 Steps (Quick + Easy) to Getting a Costa Rica IP Address in 2024:
- Step 1. Choose a VPN with servers in Costa Rica. ExpressVPN is my top choice because of its ease of use and fast connection speeds.
- Step 2. Download and install the VPN on your device. Make sure you’re downloading the right version for your device or operating system, then follow a few simple steps to set it up. This should only take a few minutes.
- Step 3. Connect to a server in Costa Rica. Open the VPN, choose Costa Rica from the list of server locations, and click the Connect button. This will automatically hide your location and mask your real IP with a Costa Rica IP.
A virtual private network (VPN) is the most reliable way to get a Costa Rica IP address. Among the several ways I tried to hide my real IP address behind one from Costa Rica, using a VPN was the only one that not only worked every time but could protect my privacy as well.
A VPN is a type of software that masks your real IP address behind another IP. Changing your IP address using a VPN doesn’t require any technical expertise — you only need basic computer skills. But it does require a certain type of VPN.
First of all, you need a VPN that has servers in Costa Rica — and the more servers, the better. But that’s not all: for the best outcome, you need to find a VPN with fast connection speeds, cutting-edge security features, and reliable customer support.
Based on my extensive testing, ExpressVPN is the best option for getting a Costa Rica IP address. But all of the products on my list are good and they each have unique features, so read on to find out which will suit your needs.
GET A COSTA RICA IP ADDRESS WITH EXPRESSVPN
Best VPNs for Getting a Costa Rica IP Address in 2024
- 🥇1. ExpressVPN — Best VPN for getting a Costa Rica IP address in 2024 (very secure + super fast speeds).
- 🥈2. Private Internet Access (PIA) — Excellent VPN for users on a tight budget + intuitive apps for all operating systems).
- 🥉3. NordVPN — Reliable VPN for safe connections (with strong security features + fast speeds).
- 4. Surfshark — Secure, feature-rich VPN with great streaming support and user-friendly apps.
- 5. Proton VPN — Good VPN with speed boosting feature + has top security & privacy features.
🥇 1. ExpressVPN — Best VPN for Getting a Costa Rica IP Address
ExpressVPN is my top choice for getting a Costa Rica IP address. It offers access to servers in 105 countries (which is more than any other VPN on this list), blazing-fast speeds, excellent streaming support, first-rate security features, and much more.
ExpressVPN has the fastest connection speeds of all the VPNs I tested. When I connected to a server in Costa Rica from my location in London, there was no significant decrease in speed compared to my normal average speed. While HD videos took a few seconds to load, once they got going, I didn’t experience any buffering or lags at all.
ExpressVPN is an excellent choice for streaming and also for torrenting, as it works with all major P2P apps and allows torrenting on all its servers. In fact, it’s our top choice for torrenting in 2024.
ExpressVPN’s security features are top-notch, too. In addition to 256-bit AES encryption, a no-logs policy, and a kill switch (which are all now practically standard among premium VPN services), it also offers private encrypted DNS (Domain Name System) on every server. This means your DNS requests will be handled by ExpressVPN, without involving any third parties, so no one will be able to find out which websites you visit or which services you subscribe to.
I was impressed with the range of devices ExpressVPN is compatible with. During my tests, I tried it on my iPhone, MacBook, Smart TV, and PS4. Not only could I connect to the VPN on all 4 devices at once, but it took only seconds for each of the devices to connect to my chosen server.
While ExpressVPN is a bit pricier than the other VPNs on my list, it offers the best user experience. It even comes with a built-in password manager to keep your passwords secure, which is a nice extra. Plans start at $6.67 / month, and if you opt for the yearly plan, you’ll save 49% on subscription costs compared to the 1-month plan. Whichever plan you choose, you can connect up to 8 devices at the same time. Once you subscribe, you’ll have 30 days to test the VPN and get a refund if you’re not completely satisfied.
Read our full ExpressVPN review
🥈 2. Private Internet Access (PIA) — Most Affordable VPN With Servers in Costa Rica
Private Internet Access (PIA) has a massive network of RAM-only servers in 91 countries. Although it doesn’t disclose the exact number of servers on its website, we’re talking about tens of thousands. This network size offers a few benefits, including faster speeds due to less server crowding and a lower chance of getting blocked due to a blacklisted IP address.
When connected to a server in Costa Rica, the connection was fast and stable. As I’ve mentioned, I ran all my tests from London, which is far away from Costa Rica, but I was still able to watch HD video without buffering. Based on speed tests conducted by my colleagues here at SafetyDetectives, I expect PIA’s speeds are even better when you connect from a location closer to Costa Rica, such as the US.
PIA is compatible with a huge range of devices and has dedicated apps for every major OS. You can use it on smartphones, gaming consoles, PCs, routers, and various other devices. It’s good for streaming too, but not as good as ExpressVPN.
Using PIA, you can connect unlimited devices simultaneously on a single subscription, which is great for families with lots of devices to protect. During my research, I was impressed by how quick and easy it was to set up and operate this VPN on all my family’s devices. It’s particularly good for gaming: once you install it on your router, you’ll easily be able to secure your Nintendo Switch, Xbox, Playstation, or access Amazon Luna.
PIA’s no-logs policy ensures that none of your private info is stored within its system. This is particularly important because PIA is based in the US, a country with strict data laws that enable the authorities to request and obtain user data from a VPN provider. But with nothing stored on the servers, there would be nothing for them to obtain even if they tried.
Private Internet Access is one of the most affordable VPNs on the market, with prices starting at $2.03 / month — and it’s by far the cheapest on this list if you buy the longest plan. It has a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can comfortably try it out risk-free.
Read our full Private Internet Access review
🥉 3. NordVPN — Best Range of Security Features
NordVPN offers access to 6,266 servers in 111 countries, including Costa Rica. When I connected to its Costa Rican servers from London, I was impressed by the speeds — websites loaded in a few seconds, and I was able to watch videos without interruptions.
NordVPN is an excellent choice if you’re worried about your online security. It provides several layers of protection to its users, such as full leak protection, RAM-only servers (all information on them gets wiped when the server is switched off), and perfect forward secrecy (creates a new temporary key for every exchange between a client and a server). Its strict no-logs policy has been independently audited by Deloitte, one of the leading auditing firms in the world.
On top of that, NordVPN has double VPN servers, which add an extra layer of encryption by hiding your online activity behind 2 servers rather than just 1. And in addition to standard premium VPN features like split-tunneling and a kill switch, NordVPN also comes with obfuscation (conceals the fact you’re using a VPN), and has its own protocol called NordLynx, which is designed to provide strong security and fast speeds.
Threat Protection is NordVPN’s ad blocker, and it’s one of the best VPN ad blockers on the market. It also blocks connections to shady sites and protects your device from malware-infected downloads. Threat Protection remains active even if you’re not connected to a VPN server, which is really convenient. There’s also Dark Web Monitor, which scans the dark web and alerts you if the login associated with your NordVPN account has been leaked — NordVPN is one of very few VPNs on the market to offer this kind of service.
NordVPN has budget-friendly plans that start at $3.09 / month — this is the price you’ll pay for the Standard plan on a 2-year subscription. If that sounds like too long a commitment to you, you can pick a 1-month or 1-year subscription instead. You can upgrade to the Plus plan if you need a data breach scanner or 1 TB of encrypted cloud storage. All purchases are backed by a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.
4. Surfshark — Good Security & Streaming Support
Surfshark has 3,200+ servers in 100 countries, which makes it simple to pick nearby servers for faster speeds. Of course, in my case, I was testing Costa Rican servers from London, so nearby server locations were not an option — but even then I didn’t experience significant slowdowns.
Surfshark comes with really good security features too, including RAM-only servers, perfect forward secrecy, obfuscation, and Dynamic MultiHop, (a double VPN where you can choose the combination of servers to use). Its CleanWeb is a robust ad blocker that can protect you from annoying and potentially dangerous ads in a similar way to NordVPN’s Threat Protection feature. Finally, its IP Rotator regularly changes your IP address to make it harder for someone to track your location.
You also get pretty good streaming support with Surfshark. And when it comes to torrenting, I found out during my tests that this VPN supports P2P downloads across all of its servers.
Surfshark allows unlimited connections, which makes it a great option if everyone in your family needs a good VPN (Private Internet Access is the only other provider on my list to offer this). There are 3 subscription lengths with Surfshark: 1 month, 1 year, or 2 years. Whichever you choose, you’ll get the same features. Of course, the 2-year plan is the most affordable one, costing just $2.29 / month. Like the other VPNs on this list, Surfshark has a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full Surfshark review
5. Proton VPN — Good Speeds + Great for Privacy
Proton VPN has 4692 servers in 91 countries, including Costa Rica. Now, that might not be as impressive as PIA’s server network, but I was still able to successfully reroute my online traffic through its servers in Costa Rica and access Costa Rican websites without any problems at all.
The speeds Proton VPN offers are pretty good — when connected to a Costa Rican server from London, HD video took a few seconds to load, but once it did, I could watch with no interruptions.
Proton VPN offers some interesting features you won’t find with other VPN providers. For example, it has a helpful feature called VPN Accelerator, which improves your speeds by up to 400% while using distant servers. It worked really well in my tests, doubling my download speeds when it was enabled!
Another impressive thing about Proton VPN is its firm privacy policy. It has a strong history of opposing laws that threaten the security of your data. Like the other VPNs on my list, it uses 256-bit AES encryption for maximum protection of your data, and it has also developed its own Stealth protocol.
Proton VPN’s user interface is easy to navigate, but I did note a few issues. For instance, the kill switch doesn’t turn on by default, and the locations map, which takes up more than half of the main screen, is pretty useless and distracting. I found ExpressVPN’s UI to be sleeker and more intuitive.
Proton VPN is compatible with a wide range of devices, but some apps have fewer features than others. For instance, the Mac version doesn’t have the split-tunneling feature, which enables you to choose which traffic goes through the VPN and which through your default network. So if you have a Mac, especially one that you use for both work and home, I’d suggest going with ExpressVPN instead. That way, you won’t need to manually switch the VPN off every time you need to access a website that doesn’t allow VPN traffic.
Finally, Proton VPN is one of the most affordable VPNs on the market. You can get the VPN Plus plan for as little as $4.99 / month. All plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full Proton VPN review
Comparison of the Best VPNs for Getting a Costa Rica IP Address in 2024
How to Choose the Best VPN for Getting a Costa Rica IP Address
In theory, all VPNs with servers in Costa Rica can provide a Costa Rica IP address. However, some VPNs are simply better than others. Here are the main features I looked for when comparing and testing VPNs.
- Check if the VPN has servers in Costa Rica. The VPN you choose must have servers in Costa Rica. Otherwise, you won’t be able to obtain a Costa Rica IP address through it. All the VPNs on my list include servers in Costa Rica.
- Look for the best connection speeds. Choosing a VPN with excellent connection speeds greatly reduces delays and buffering when streaming or downloading. Though fast connection speeds don’t guarantee anything, they do increase the likelihood of reliable gaming and efficient downloading. ExpressVPN had the fastest speeds of any product on my list.
- Check the encryption. Different VPNs use different types of encryption. The most common is 256-bit AES, which is referred to as military-grade encryption. Some VPNs use 128-bit AES, which is less secure but allows for faster connection speeds. Choosing a VPN with robust encryption will ensure your data doesn’t get intercepted and recorded as it travels.
- Pick a user-friendly VPN. I always prefer VPNs with straightforward setup processes and easy-to-use interfaces. A good VPN is user-friendly and intuitive so that it’s accessible to everyone. During my research, I found that Surfshark had the most detailed setup guides for virtually all devices you can install it on, with printscreens illustrating every step in the process.
- Make sure the VPN is compatible with a wide range of devices. A good VPN should be compatible with most platforms and operating systems. I tested various VPNs on several devices (desktop computer, MacBook, smartphone, and smart TV), and only the top VPNs were compatible with all of them.
- Select a VPN with a multiple-device policy. A good VPN allows simultaneous connections across multiple devices using a single subscription. This feature enables your entire family to utilize the VPN at the same time for various purposes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my VPN work in Costa Rica?
Yes — provided that you choose a good VPN that has servers in Costa Rica, such as ExpressVPN or Private Internet Access (PIA), it will work and hide your real IP address behind one from that country.
Likewise, if you’re physically located in Costa Rica and are trying to connect to servers in other countries, there is no reason for a reliable VPN service not to work in Costa Rica.
Do I need a VPN in Costa Rica?
It depends on your reasons for using a VPN. Costa Rica enjoys a reputation for being a relatively open online environment, so you’re unlikely to face government restrictions or censorship of online content even if you don’t use a VPN.
However, you might still want to use a VPN to protect your privacy, or to, in theory, access Costa Rican streaming platforms when you’re abroad (please note, however, that this is against most streaming services’ Terms of Service and may even be regarded as copyright infringement). Not to mention that the best VPN providers offer many other useful features in their packages.
How do I get a VPN in Costa Rica?
It’s easy — you just need to find a reputable VPN provider with servers in Costa Rica, pick and purchase a subscription plan that suits your needs, and download the app. Voilá, you’re ready to surf the internet with a Costa Rica IP address!
Can I get a Costa Rica IP address with a free VPN?
Free VPNs are an option, but they aren’t the ideal choice. Most free VPNs don’t have servers in Costa Rica, so they can’t give you a Costa Rica IP address. Also, some free VPNs have questionable data protection policies. They may even sell your data to compensate for the free service. This is a huge violation of your online privacy. Lastly, most free VPNs don’t offer fast speeds.
These are issues you aren’t likely to find with most paid VPNs, such as ExpressVPN. Premium VPNs offer similar speeds to your regular connection, even with the distance between you and the VPN server. Plus, their larger server networks offer more locations and less overcrowding. Perhaps most importantly, they tend to be much more secure than free VPNs.
Are VPNs legal in Costa Rica?
Yes, you can legally use a VPN in Costa Rica. I recommend using a premium VPN with an established reputation for protecting users’ privacy, intuitive apps, and an extensive network of servers, such as ExpressVPN.
