Get a Cuban IP Address from Anywhere
If you’ve ever been curious about exploring the Internet in Cuba, you can use a VPN to get a Cuban IP address and spoof your way into the country’s digital borders. With this method, you’ll not only unlock an entire world of Spanish-language content, but signficantly boost your privacy online thanks to powerful VPN encryption. Today, we show you how.
Despite the interconnectedness of our modern world, there are still a number of arbitrary restrictions put in place on the internet. You might, for example, find your connection censored when crossing the border into certain countries, or encounter the Netflix proxy error when watching movies online. Most of these are directly related your IP address, which is a series of numbers that tells websites where you’re currently located.
The good news is that you can bypass most of these limitations by deploying a reliable virtual private network. VPNs encrypt traffic leaving your device, making it possible to surf and stream with full anonymity. You can even use them to get a new IP address from Cuba or any other country in the world, all with just a few clicks. We’ll outline the entire process below, along with a complete guide on how to obtain and use a Cuban IP address from your own device.
Editor's Pick July 2024
Comparison Of The Best VPNs To Get Cuban IP Address
- Yes
- 24/7 Live Chat
- 24/7 Live Chat
- Netflix,
- Disney+,
- Amazon Prime,
- iPlayer,
- YouTube,
- Hulu
- Netflix,
- Disney+,
- Amazon Prime,
- iPlayer
- Netflix,
- Disney+,
- Amazon Prime,
- iPlayer,
- YouTube,
- Hulu
Finding the right VPN to get a Cuban IP address
There are so many unique benefits to using a VPN, we simply can’t list them all here. Two of the core features include selecting non-local IP addresses and basic data encryption, both of which provide online security, anonymity, and a host of other extras. You can use your VPN to securely access movie streams on Fire TV, protect your data on iOS or Android, lock down your PC for the ultimate in privacy, and so much more.
One big question remains, however: how do you know which VPN is best for getting a Cuban IP address? Research is important, and so is building a thorough base of knowledge on what makes a VPN the best in the business. We’ve simplified the process with VPN recommendations in the next section.
Do you need Cuban servers for Cuban IP addresses?
Getting an IP address in another country carries a number of fantastic benefits, including watching movies from other countries, streaming live local channels, and bypassing censorship blockades. To get these IP addresses, all you need is an active account with a strong and reliable VPN. That VPN needs to have servers physically located in the area where you want your IP to be from, however. This means that server network size plays a crucial role in which IP addresses you can use, and which are unavailable on different services.
So, yes, you do need a VPN with servers actually located inside of Cuba in order to get a Cuban IP address. This can present some problems for a number of people, however, as the state of the internet in Cuba is poor, to put it mildly. We combed through the most reliable VPNs to find the ones that do have servers inside the country. Here is our recommendation:
PureVPN has Cuban servers
It’s difficult to find a safe, reliable, and fast VPN that actually offers server access from inside of Cuba. Fortunately, PureVPN is one such VPN. The company delivers fast speeds and incredible privacy features, all with a full array of Cuban IP addresses ready to use on any device.
PureVPN has a full suite of security features that keep you safe from all sorts of online threats, not just privacy- and security-related ones. With PureVPN you’ll have anti-virus protection, malware shields, app blocking functions, and DNS website filters bundled into a single package. Just download the software, turn on the features you need, and you’re secure. It’s one of the best ways to keep your devices safe on the internet!
PureVPN provides plenty of privacy features on top of its added offerings. It begins with a zero-logging policy on traffic and continues with an automatic kill switch, 256-bit AES encryption on all data, and DNS leak protection. And with PureVPN’s self-owned network of 2,000 servers in 140+ different countries, you’re guaranteed a fast connection at all times, as well!
Read our full PureVPN review.
Internet censorship in Cuba – Why you should use a VPN
Cuba isn’t exactly known for its free and open online infrastructure. In fact, we ranked Cuba as one of the worst countries for internet freedoms. This is largely due to the state of the service in the region, but it’s also tied to heavy government censorship.
Although most Cubans now have online access, government restrictions still limit locals from freely accessing all of the free world’s websites. While the local mobile Internet is still limited for residents and travelers inside the country, there are some 500+ Wi-Fi locations around the country plus thousands more wired connections.
Unlike most other countries, Cuba has a constitutional ban on all independent private media. Although the new generation of journalists and entertainers is attempting to sidestep this ban, they are facing a constant threat of potential punishment. The reason the Cuban government is so strict about the content shown to residents is that they want as little political discussion–especially criticism about Cuba–as possible. To this end, they don’t mind sacrificing residents’ Internet freedom in order to exercise more control over the media they get to consume. Websites get blocked, data gets logged and nothing you do on the web while in Cuba is truly private.
All of this means that using public Wi-Fi in Cuba can potentially expose some or all of what you do online. In order to maximize your online safety and stop personal information from getting into the government’s hands, you can use a VPN to mask your location and encrypt your data. A quality service will make sure all your data remains anonymous – and store no logs of what you do online.
State of internet access
The internet in Cuba is best described as sparse and unreliable. It’s illegal for private homes to have their own connection, something that most people in the Western world take for granted. No home routers, no Wi-Fi, no getting home and settling in for a good Netflix binge. Instead, if you want to use the internet in Cuba, you have to take your device to government-owned cafes and provide your name and address before you can log in.
Censorship in Cuba
On top of its shaky internet infrastructure and rigid control systems, Cuba’s internet is also heavy monitored and regulated by the local government. Trying to search for terms deemed unsavory by the ruling party, which includes anti-political messages, results in a pop-up appearing on the user’s screen forbidding access “for state security reasons”. A list of over 40 websites are also banned in Cuba.
RELATED READING: Best VPN for journalists
Beating Cuban censorship
The only good news about the state of the internet in Cuba is that the censorship methods employed aren’t very sophisticated. Part of this is due to the high cost of accessing the internet, which means most Cubans can’t afford to use it. Lax security measures make it easy for visitors to bypass the censorship blockades to access the open and free internet with full anonymity using a good VPN. If you plan on traveling to Cuba, make sure you have your virtual private network installed and ready to go.
READ ALSO: Top cybersecurity travel tips
Best VPNs to use inside Cuba for better online security
While PureVPN is one of the only top-tier VPNs that offers actual access to Cuban IP addresses, there are many other VPN services you can use while in Cuba to keep your data safe. Below are two of the most reliable ones.
1. ExpressVPN
- Unblocking Netflix, iPlayer, Hulu, Amazon Prime
- Reliable and fast connections
- Supports ALL devices
- No logs for personal data
- Live chat support available
- Expensive month-to-month plan
ExpressVPN is of the fastest VPNs around. The company offers a wide range of privacy features to keep you safe each time you connect, including 256-bit AES encryption, a zero-logging policy, and both kill switch and DNS leak protection on its apps. ExpressVPN’s server network also covers over 3,000 locations in 94 different areas, giving you plenty of options for a fast connection!
Using ExpressVPN is surprisingly simple, all thanks to its custom software made for nearly all modern devices, including Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS. Once you create an account, all you need to do is download the app, sign in, and you’re set. ExpressVPN takes care of finding the fastest server to connect you to each time you turn on your device, keeping your data secure each time you log on.
Unfortunately, ExpressVPN doesn’t offer Cuban IP addresses to its users. You’ll find many more nodes located around the Caribbean, however, which means if you live in or are traveling to Cuba, you’ll be able to find a fast and secure connection from a nearby country with ease.
Read our full ExpressVPN review.
2. NordVPN
- Servers optimized for unblocking Netflix
- Most VPN servers with different IP addresses
- Torrenting is explicitly permitted
- “Double” data protection
- Live Chat Support
- Very little
- They can take 30 days to process refunds
NordVPN has the largest server network on the market, giving it some of the best features and fastest speeds around. Users currently have access to over 5,500 servers in 59 countries, along with multiple unique services only NordVPN offers, including protection against DDoS attacks, double encryption, and onion over VPN routing. To use these and many more features, all you have to do is click and connect to the right server, then you’re set.
NordVPN provides a fantastic and thorough zero-logging policy that covers everything from bandwidth to time stamps, traffic to IP addresses. Your activity is never recorded or shared with third parties, which helps keep your privacy intact, even in restrictive, surveillance-heavy countries. Backing these features is 256-bit AES encryption on all data, an automatic kill switch, DNS leak protection, and a host of customizable encryption features.
This provider’s massive server network unfortunately doesn’t include Cuba. If you’re inside the country, though, you can still use NordVPN to keep your data safe and secure.
Read our full NordVPN review.
How to activate a Cuban IP address
Once you’ve gone through the trouble of researching, signing up for, downloading, and installing a VPN, you’re ready to enjoy the fruits of your labor. This can be a pretty quick process to complete, as you’ve already done most of the hard work! Follow the simple guide below to begin.
First, open a web browser on your PC and sign into your VPN account. Download the app for your hardware (Windows, Mac, iOS, Fire TV, etc.). Note that you may be redirected to a mobile apps marketplace if you’re installing the VPN on an Android or iPhone. Otherwise, simply grab the exe file and use that.
Launch the VPN software and sign in using your account credentials. Most apps will automatically connect to the fastest server as soon as you launch, which probably won’t give you the Cuban IP you want. Instead, open the VPN server browser and look through the locations until you find Cuba. Find a fast server there, then click to connect. After a few moments you should see a green light, indicating you’re online and safe, complete with a Cuban IP address.
It’s a good idea to test your IP address to make sure it’s actually working. If there was an error in the installation process, or if you have an IP address leak, you may not have the Cuban IP address you were promised. A quick test will put your mind at ease.
While your VPN is active and connected to an Cuban server, open your web browser and visit ipleak.net. The page will automatically run an IP address lookup. When it’s done, you will see a box near the top that says “Your IP addresses”. Just below it should show Cuba as your country of origin, meaning everything is connected and works just fine.
More secrets to keep your data secure
Installing a VPN goes a long way to keeping your data secure, but it isn’t a one-click solution for all of your online privacy needs. Areas like Cuba that are under restrictive online control pose a number of threats to users inside the borders, especially if you’re a traveler. Get a good VPN first, then use these extra tips to keep yourself safe.
- Always run firewall and anti-virus programs – Viruses slip through most VPNs undetected, and things like key loggers and malware are just as dangerous with a VPN active. Keep your anti-virus and firewall programs online at all times for maximum protection.
- Install secure browser extensions – Ensure browser security by adding both HTTPS Everywhere and Privacy Badger to your device. These extensions force an encrypted connection and disable tracking scripts to lock down your information at all costs.
- Never use free VPNs – No-charge VPN services are everywhere, and they’re known to harvest and sell user information to the highest bidder. Using a free VPN can actively destroy your privacy, so be sure you stick with a trusted paid VPN providers instead.
- Protect yourself on public Wi-Fi – Open networks at cafes may seem convenient, but they can be hotbeds of dangerous activities. Secure your identity first by following our guide on staying safe on public Wi-Fi.
Conclusion
Getting an Cuban IP address isn’t as straightforward as you might think, but with the right tools and our guide above, you can stay safe while living, working, or traveling through the tropical country. What do you plan on using your new Cuban IP address for? Let us know in the comments below!
If you need a VPN for a short while when traveling for example, you can get our top ranked VPN free of charge. NordVPN includes a 30-day money-back guarantee. You will need to pay for the subscription, that’s a fact, but it allows full access for 30 days and then you cancel for a full refund. Their no-questions-asked cancellation policy lives up to its name.
