South America is a vast and contrasting continent. Its thirteen countries include everything from stable democracies to socialist republics.

For local people, expats, and travellers, there are a variety of different reasons why using VPN services might be necessary, but we do know that use is spreading across the region.

In this article, we are going to reveal which VPN services our tests have found are the best to use in Latin America.

We will also explore why you might need to use one, what a reliable VPN service offers, and discuss the risks of using a free VPN.

5 Ideal VPNs for Latin America

Over the last couple of months, we have been researching all the top VPN providers in the market to see which offers the best solution for use in South America.

Here is a rundown of our top 5:

1. ExpressVPN – Our #1 Recommendation!
2. NordVPN
3. CyberGhost VPN
4. VyprVPN
5. IPVanish

1. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is our number one best VPN for South America.

They offer a large network with servers in 94 different countries around the world. This includes eight South American nations as well as all the leading global markets.

They offer robust encryption and strong independently-verified security features, including a kill switch.

Download speeds are impressive too and in our tests, we’ve found their multiple servers to be capable as well as offering unlimited bandwidth.

ExpressVPN is perfect for streaming content online through Netflix and other platforms.

You can also use ExpressVPN on any device you like thanks to their range of impressive and easy-to-use apps. These are available for Android devices and iOS, Windows and macOS, Linux, Amazon Fire TV devices and more. You can even enjoy five simultaneous connections with every account.

There is a 30-day money-back guarantee and, for what you get, ExpressVPN represents excellent value for money.

Our #1 Recommended VPN for South America

30-day money back guarantee

2. NordVPN

If you want a premier VPN service for a budget price, then NordVPN is well worth a look. They offer a terrific all-round service with user friendly apps that are available on just about any device.

They have a big server network and while there are only three South American server connections, users can also make use of South American servers in nearby Costa Rica and Mexico.

Further afield, there are some 5,500+ VPN servers covering Europe, North America, Asia and the majority of the rest of the world.

NordVPN is excellent for online streaming and works with US Netflix, BBC iPlayer and all the major platforms. Speeds are decent and privacy protections are robust, not least because they are based off-shore in Panama.

Encrypting internet data is also impressive with 256-bit encryption, double-hop servers, DNS leak protection, split tunneling and a kill switch keeping you secure. All this comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee and some of the best prices of any high-end VPN.

3. CyberGhost VPN

CyberGhost VPN is a VPN service on the up and for beginners in particular, they are a great option.

They offer around 60 individual servers in South America, although some of their Venezuelan servers are virtual servers. Overall, they provide more than 7,300 servers in a total of 91 different countries.

The apps are a real selling point. All its features are simple and can help even the most novice user find the best server for them quickly through fast connections. They are also available across all the most popular devices, giving users unrestricted access.

None of this comes at the expense of privacy and security, which are both sound. Its quality services also allow you to enjoy all the main streaming sites in South America too and offer plenty of P2P-enabled servers.

They have an enormous 45-day money-back guarantee and offer 7 unlimited simultaneous connections. All this comes at a very reasonable price too.

4. VyprVPN

 VyprVPN is also a best VPN for South America but their logging policy used to leave a lot to be desired. No more though as an independent audit has certified them as a no-logs VPN. That’s great for online privacy for your internet connection, especially when combined with their robust encryption.

They offer a physical server in Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, and Columbia and have three more locations in Central America. They also own their servers which is not usual practice in the VPN industry.

VyprVPN speeds are good without being dazzling and they offer apps for all the leading devices apart from the Amazon Fire Stick. This is not perfect for streamers, but VyprVPN can still unblock most platforms.

Their 3-day free trial period is no more, sadly, but they do offer a 30-day money-back guarantee.

5. IPVanish

IPVanish is a high-profile and reliable VPN provider for South American countries.

This is thanks in no small part to their decision to allow unlimited simultaneous connections with every subscription. This means even if money is an issue, you can join together with friends or family and enjoy a premium VPN for almost nothing.

In South America, IPVanish has two physical server locations in Brazil and another in Columbia. There are also nearby server locations in Costa Rica and Mexico, while the USA is exceptionally well catered for. This gives users access to a global network.

Speeds are good across the entire VPN server network and fine for streaming, although IPVanish cannot unblock everything.

Their apps are excellent though and available on all major devices. Prices are on a par with their rivals which means overall, IPVanish is a compelling option.

How to choose a VPN for South America

We have already detailed our top overall VPN services for any South American country, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that our number one pick is the right one for you, or you may still be undecided.

After all, everyone uses the internet for different things and these can affect which VPN provider will be right for you. In South America finding the best VPN depends on various factors.

We have considered this and made a further series of recommendations based on the main reasons users in South America might need a VPN:

Best for Security and Privacy

ExpressVPN

Our top overall recommendation offers some of the most robust security protections of any VPN. When this is coupled with a watertight privacy policy for your online content, there is little doubt that it is the best VPN service for staying safe and private while enjoying internet access.

Best for unblocking censored content

NordVPN

All of our recommended VPNs can help access geo-restricted content. Still, NordVPN is just ahead of the pack thanks to their inbuilt technology which hides their IP Addresses to stop authorities seeing that you are using a VPN.

Best for streaming

ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN tops the pile in this category too, although NordVPN runs them a close second. We tested them on US Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and with various other various devices simultaneously. All of them worked without any problem at all.

Best for P2P

CyberGhost

All of the VPNs we recommend allow safe P2P downloads, but CyberGhost’s P2P enhanced servers impressed our testers a lot.

Best for multiple connections

IPVanish

IPVanish offered more simultaneous connections than any other provider on this list. Shared subscriptions are a great way to benefit from a secure VPN at a fraction of the price, especially in less affluent countries.

Do I need a VPN in South America?

South America is a diverse region and the reasons for needing a secure VPN will vary depending on where you are. But the broad answer to this question is, yes, you absolutely do need a VPN in Latin America.

Below we’ve rounded up some of the main reasons.

1. Privacy protection

Everyone needs to protect their privacy online, whether they are using online banking, doing internet shopping, or communicating with their friends and business colleagues.

Others need to protect themselves on notoriously insecure public Wi-Fi networks, in hotels and on public transport.

A VPN will hide your online identity when using public Wi-Fi. Then there are those South American governments who are hell-bent on silencing dissent and opposition and routinely spy on their populations.

2. Unblocking services

Internet censorship is not unknown in South America. Brazil has blocked WhatsApp on more than one occasion, while under the brutal socialist regime of Nicholas Maduro in Venezuela, it is an everyday occurrence.

VPNs enable locals, expats, and tourists to get around this censorship and unblock such services in a risk free manner.

3. Streaming overseas TV

Many travellers and expats miss their home TV networks and lots of locals want to watch content not available on local networks. 

Most online streaming services block users from other countries but by using a good VPN provider, it is possible to unblock them and enjoy their content all over South America.

Can I watch US Netflix in South America?

Yes, it is entirely possible to unblock Netflix across South America, although you have to be careful to choose the right VPN for the job. Best VPNs are those that offer military grade encryption.

ExpressVPN is one provider which can unblock a variety of regional Netflix services. This includes the USA, UK, Japan, and many others.

South American Netflix tends to offer a modest content library, so for movie and box-set aficionados, this is well worth looking into.

Besides the VPNs listed above, HMA VPN also contains all the features you need to access geo-restricted content. HMA VPN also has virtual servers that will also allow streaming content in a risk free manner.

Is there a free VPN for South America?

There are lots of so-called ‘free VPNs’ available, but the risks of using them are as high in South America as anywhere else in the world.

Running a VPN has overheads and these costs have to be covered somewhere. If it is not through a subscription, then it is often through selling your personal data to any third party willing to pay.

Other ‘free VPNs’ can spread malware and other malicious software, while the close links between many of the biggest free VPNs and Communist China are now well-established.

If you want online privacy and security, you will not get it with a completely free VPN. They are not worth the risk. A premium VPN is ideal because it blocks malware. Moreover, most premium VPNs have a money back guarantee to give you value for money.

Summary

A VPN is as vital in South America as it is elsewhere in the world.

Above, we have revealed the five most reliable VPNs to use in South America as well as the top VPNs for a variety of the most common internet uses.

All of our recommended VPNs will do a good job, but the best all-round VPN for South America is ExpressVPN. Their security provisions, coupled with a proven history of keeping users secure, plus their ability to unblock streaming services and a huge 30-day money back guarantee, get our vote.