Current Time in Peru
Peruvian culture regarding time
Peruvian culture regarding time
Flexible "Latin American time"
In Peru, things often do not proceed according to schedule, and delays of 30 minutes to an hour are not uncommon. It is common for events and meetings to begin only when everyone is present.
Large differences by region and situation
In urban areas such as Lima, people are relatively conscious of time, but in rural and rural areas, a more relaxed sense of time prevails. The perception of time differs greatly between business and daily life.
Plenty of time for lunch and breaks
The period from noon to around 2 p.m. is used for lunch and breaks, and stores and government offices may be temporarily closed. During this period, the culture places more importance on eating and talking with people than on work.
Peruvian values regarding time
Values on relationships over time
In Peru, relationships with others and the quality of conversation are valued more than strict adherence to time. Even if you are late, it is often not a problem if you can build trust through conversation.
It is considered a virtue to take things slowly
People tend to prefer "acting calmly" over efficiency and speed. Rushing can be seen as impatience or rudeness, so a relaxed attitude is appreciated.
Respect for work-life balance
Excessive overtime and overwork are not very popular, and it is important to have time for family and private life. Holidays are especially valued as time to spend with relatives.
Things foreigners should know about time when traveling or moving to Peru
Public institutions and transportation are not always on time
Buses, government offices, delivery services, etc. are generally delayed from scheduled times. If you want to act on time, you will need to make a schedule with plenty of time.
It is safe to think of meeting and appointment times as a guideline
In business situations, meetings may start on time, but it is better to assume that there will be delays, especially for personal appointments and casual meetings.
Punctuality may be required in important situations
There are also situations where punctuality is expected in international companies, government-related procedures, and sightseeing tours. Judgment is required according to the situation.
Interesting trivia about time in Peru
The Inca civilization had a sense of time based on the sun
The ancient Incas measured time based on the position of the sun, and even today in the Andes region, the culture of living with the sun is deeply rooted. There are also areas where nature is used as the standard for time rather than clocks.
Daylight saving time has been abolished
Daylight saving time, which was once introduced, has now been abolished. Standard time (Peruvian time: UTC-5) is used throughout the year.
Sightseeing in Machu Picchu is "punctual"
When entering the tourist attraction Machu Picchu or using trains, punctuality is strictly enforced. Tourism is an exceptional case where there is a culture of "not being late," and a different awareness of time is required.