Whether you’re a resident of this country or just a visitor, you can face the same problems. On paper, Panama has free internet access that doesn’t include censorship and surveillance. However, we decided to question this claim and see if it’s true. Shortly after that, we found that this country has some censorship and harsh copyright laws that will hinder your privacy and security online. For that reason, using a VPN in Panama is always a good decision. Let’s see what are the best choices in 2024.
Why You Should Use a VPN in Panama?
Without a doubt, Panama is a beautiful country and you’ll probably enjoy your vacation there. But, when you want to access the internet, it’s good to have a VPN installed on your phone or computer. Here’s why:
Avoiding Harsh Copyright Laws
The USA has its DMCA thing that prevents you from making a copyright infringement. However, Panama is a country that, in our opinion, has harsher laws even than the USA. The authorities here are encouraged to hunt down those who infringe copyrights and the state even gives them bonuses for doing so.
Simply put, the higher the fine from the company that suffered a copyright infringement, the higher the officials’ reward will be. The country has its own set of laws regarding this issue, which is the worst thing. Even if something you’re doing is legal in other countries, you can get punished if it’s illegal here.
Hear this – they can punish you for data in your Random Access Memory (RAM)! For example, if you’re watching shows on Netflix, HBO Go or Hulu, the government can punish you with a hefty fine. How hefty? Well, approximately $100,00 for the first-timers and up to $200,00 for those caught multiple times.
Using the best VPN in Panama is a MUST if you plan on accessing any type of content. You never know when the government officials will knock on your door and put you in a $100,000+ of debt!
Regaining Freedom of Speech
While the country seems free from the “outside”, there are some censorship issues, especially with the journalists. Accessing social media, for instance, isn’t forbidden here. On the other hand, the government repeatedly tries to silence the press here, disallowing free speech.
If you’re a journalist in this country, it’s better to use one of the VPNs listed below. Sure, you can self-censor your self but even then, you’re not completely safe. Although surveillance isn’t a “tradition” here, you never know if your ISP is breathing behind your neck.
Accessing Geo-Restricted Sites
Finally, if you want to access sites like Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Sling TV or Hotstar, using this service is compulsory. Speaking of Hotstar, you’ll need a provider that offers servers in India also. But, aside from India, a provider should have lots of servers at your disposal, including servers in the USA and the UK.
Needless to say, many gambling sites are blocked here, so you can use this service to access them from anywhere in the world. And if you want to access local Panamanian content from abroad, you’ll need a provider with servers in this country. Scroll down to find out more about them!
Best VPNs with Servers in Panama
Accessing your local bank account or watching shows on FETV from a foreign country is easy as a feather. Here are the best providers with servers in Panama:
- ExpressVPN: ExpressVPN is the best provider on the market, making Panamanians happy to have some of its servers in their homeland. Accessing local content from abroad will be easy, given how good the provider is at bypassing geo-restrictions.
- CyberGhost: It is the largest provider on the planet, boasting 6,200+ servers worldwide, of which 24 of them are in Panama City. Although they allow P2P, these are not physical servers but work great nonetheless.
Getting a provider of your choice is simple. Click on the provider’s name, buy a subscription, get the apps, and enjoy your privacy and security.
Top 3 Best VPN for Panama
What are the best VPNs for people living in Panama that just want an all-around experience? These three are on the menu:
- ExpressVPN
- NordVPN
- CyberGhost
Let’s see why they’re good options for Panamanian residents.
1. ExpressVPN
Those who like insanely fast speeds will love ExpressVPN the moment they install it. It’s very fast but also very secure, which is what you need in this country. Given its location in the BVI, it gives a no-log policy, so they don’t store any important logs about you.
In terms of security, you get military-grade encryption, kill switch, and DNS and IP leak protection. Furthermore, the provider easily unblock Netflix and is available on all major platforms, even routers! Offering 24/7 customer support, fixing any potential issues will be easy.
But, we don’t believe you’ll have many issues with it. ExpressVPN offers a 49% discount and 3 months free for a 12-month plan, which is a killer deal if you ask us!
Enjoy ExpressVPN's Fast Speeds >
2. NordVPN
One of the best VPN options for Panama is here and interestingly, NordVPN is based there, yet it doesn’t have servers in the country.
Nevertheless, this is a safe provider that will keep you anonymous all the time. To make things better, you get an ad-blocked called CyberSec and even Onion Over VPN, allowing you to use Tor with the service.
Speed-wise, NordVPN will not disappoint you. You can watch Netflix in 4K, game without high pings, and enjoy the internet as intended. And if you want to cover the entire household, you can connect it to your router and protect up to 32 devices.
All in all, NordVPN is a fine option for those who don’t want to break the bank, yet still want to enjoy the benefits of a quality VPN while in Panama (or elsewhere).
Get a Huge Discount on NordVPN >
3. CyberGhost
CyberGhost is a great solution for ambitious cybersecurity enthusiasts. It offers tons of servers around the globe, accompanied by dedicated servers for streaming and torrenting. You can enjoy these activities effortlessly, given how fast the provider is.
Given its Romanian jurisdiction, you’ll be far away from the notorious 5 Eyes. This gives a no-log policy, making it impossible for anyone to track you online. However, the main thing about CyberGhost is its ease of use and the price.
It’s VERY cheap, especially its 3-year plan. You don’t have to empty your wallet to enjoy these features, which CyberGhost always proves.
Why You Should Avoid Free VPNs?
Our experience says that free VPNs are not the best options. They’re very slow and offer bandwidth limitations. Usually, you’ll get 500 MB to 2 GB or in some instances, you can get up to 10 GB. This isn’t even enough for z z qa whole season of your favorite show!
Speaking of shows, free providers usually can’t unblock Netflix and other popular sites, making them unreliable. Given that they’re offering services for free, they earn revenue either by selling your data to third parties or by implementing annoying pop-up ads.
Some providers like Hola VPN will even install malware on your devices, slowing them down, and preventing you from enjoying your time online. In short, we don’t recommend using free providers in Panama for their limitations and lack of security features.
Summary
Since free providers aren’t worth your precious time, buying a premium one is a priority. Our recommendation is ExpressVPN, a provider from the British Virgin Islands that will change your perspective of how a VPN works – in a positive sense, especially if you plan on going to Panama, of course!
Once you experience what online freedom feels like, you’ll never wanna return to VPN-less experience.