Current Time in Bogota
Colombian culture regarding time
Colombian culture regarding time
Appointment times are often considered to be "guidelines"
In Colombia, the culture is generally more flexible than strict about appointment times. It is not uncommon for meetings and gatherings to start later than the scheduled time, and being late by a few minutes to a dozen minutes tends to be considered acceptable.
Tendency to take a long lunch
It is common to take more than an hour to have lunch slowly, and it is considered an important time to enjoy conversation with family and colleagues. For this reason, lunch breaks can sometimes extend until around 14:00.
Night-owl lifestyle
Dinner and entertainment times are relatively late, and many people in urban areas have dinner after 20:00. Restaurants and cafes often stay open until late at night, and people can be seen active late into the night.
Colombian values regarding time
Relationships with people take priority
The value of valuing "connections with people" and "atmosphere" over time is deeply rooted, and maintaining good relationships at the time tends to take priority over slight delays.
Flexible and generous sense of time
Rather than demanding strict management of time, a flexible style is respected. This means that they are relatively tolerant of schedule changes and adjustments to start times.
The "scheduled time" of an event is only a guideline for the start
At events such as weddings and birthday parties, few people arrive at the time written on the invitation, and many arrive more than an hour late. This is not rude but is culturally acceptable.
Things about time that foreigners should know when traveling or moving to Colombia
It's okay if you're not strict about the appointment time
Even in business situations, a delay of 10 to 15 minutes is often not considered a big problem, and in most cases it is not a problem if you contact them in advance. However, punctuality may be required for public services such as government agencies and hospitals.
Pay attention to lunch break times
Many people have lunch between 1pm and 2pm, and stores and government offices may be temporarily closed. Avoid these times to avoid travelling smoothly.
Time perception varies by region
People in urban areas, such as the capital Bogota, tend to be relatively punctual, but in rural areas, people tend to be more relaxed and plans change frequently. Therefore, flexible scheduling is important.
Interesting trivia about Colombian time
The term "La Hula Colombiana" (Colombian time)
The expression "Colombian time" is sometimes used to express the culture that "it is normal to arrive later than the appointed time." It is a phrase that is sometimes used by the people themselves with affection.
If you arrive early for an event, they may still be preparing
If you arrive at a party or gathering on time, they may still be preparing or the organizers may not have arrived yet. Sometimes, 30 minutes to an hour after the scheduled start time is considered the "right time to arrive."
School start times are also flexible
In public schools, even if the official start time is 7:30 or 8:00, it is common for students and teachers to actually arrive a little late in some areas. This is influenced by the sense of time in society as a whole.