Current Time in SantiagoDeCuba
Cuban culture regarding time
Cuban culture regarding time
A flexible sense of time is deeply rooted
In Cuba, a relatively tolerant attitude toward time is common in daily life. Being a few minutes or tens of minutes late for an appointment is not considered a big problem, and people act leisurely without much hassle.
Morning-oriented lifestyle
Many households have the habit of starting their activities early in the morning and completing major errands before the sun rises. Public institutions and markets are particularly active in the morning.
Event start times are only a guideline
Even if concerts and local events have a "scheduled start time," they often actually start more than 30 minutes late. This is tolerated by both participants and organizers.
Cuban values regarding time
A culture that prioritizes connections with people
There is a tendency to place more importance on "interaction with people" and "maintaining relationships" than on time, and conversations and relationships are prioritized over slight delays. Therefore, it may be considered rude to worry about time during a conversation.
Emphasis on flexibility over schedules
Rather than being strictly controlled, it is naturally accepted that daily schedules change according to the situation. This flexibility is also influenced by infrastructure such as transportation and electricity.
A sense of living with nature
Many families finish their activities with the sun setting, and the rhythm of life according to the movement of the sun remains strong. In particular, in rural areas, people tend not to be active late into the night.
Things foreigners should know about time when traveling or moving to Cuba
Understand that the appointed time is a "guideline"
In non-business situations, meeting times and visit schedules may not go as planned. By acting with a margin, you can reduce stress caused by cultural differences.
Public institutions have shorter opening hours
Many government offices and banks open early in the morning and close early in the afternoon. It is best to visit in the morning, and be careful as they may close after noon.
Nighttime activities are kept to a minimum
Public transport is less available at night and shops close early, especially in rural areas, so it is best to do your activities while it is still light out. It is also safe to plan your sightseeing schedule mainly during the day.
Fun facts about time in Cuba
The term "Cuban time" exists
Cubans use the term "Cuban time" among themselves, and there is a culture of jokingly expressing looseness in terms of punctuality.
Public bus timetables are practically inconsistent
Even in urban areas, bus departure times can vary greatly from the actual time, making waiting times at bus stops difficult to predict. For this reason, locals are generally not bound by time and wait patiently.
Television is on time
The only thing that is said to be punctual is the national television. News and major programs start on time, and many citizens follow this trend.