Havana, Cuba uses America/Havana, currently CDT (UTC-04:00). Clocks move back 1 hour on 1 November 2026.
As the capital of Cuba, Havana plays a central role in national life, home to around 2.2 million people. Local clocks move forward and back with daylight saving time each year.
The band below is your local scale — accent shows when everyone's business hours overlap. Add or remove a city on the left and this updates too.
Written for people arriving, calling in, or planning a trip around the time difference.
Old Havana concentrates historic architecture, restaurants, and lodging within a compact, walkable core, while newer districts further out offer a quieter, more residential feel and require a taxi to reach the main sights. The seafront Malecón links several central areas.
The colonial-era streets and plazas of the old town are best explored on foot, ideally in the cooler morning hours. Evening strolls along the seaside Malecón are a popular way to enjoy the tropical warmth as the day cools.
Classic taxis, shared collective taxis, and buses all operate around the city, though schedules and availability can be unpredictable. Walking is pleasant and practical within the historic center.
The drier, slightly cooler months from roughly November to April are generally considered the most comfortable and popular time to visit. The wetter, hotter months from June to November carry a higher risk of tropical storms.
Cuba uses the CUP, calling code +53.
Cuba's currency is the Cuban peso, and Spanish is the official language, with English understanding varying by context. Conversations tend to be warm and animated, and a relaxed, unhurried approach to plans is generally the norm.
