Cuba’s time zoneCuba uses one time zone: UTC−5 during standard time and UTC−4 during daylight saving time. Havana, Varadero, Trinidad and Santiago de Cuba always share the same time.

What time zone does Cuba use?

Cuba is five hours behind Coordinated Universal Time during standard time and four hours behind during daylight saving time. At 12:00 UTC, it is therefore either 07:00 or 08:00 in Cuba, depending on the time of year.

Standard timeCST · UTC−5

Cuba Standard Time, outside the daylight saving period.

Daylight saving timeCDT · UTC−4

Cuba Daylight Time, with clocks one hour ahead.

From west to eastOne time

Cuban cities and islands follow the same time zone.

Map of Cuba’s time zone

Cuba is shown in one colour: the same time applies to the main island, Isla de la Juventud and the Cuban archipelagos. UTC−5 and UTC−4 refer to two periods of the year, rather than two geographical time zones.

Map of Cuba with one time zone, UTC−5 during standard time and UTC−4 during daylight saving, and Havana as the reference point
Cuba: one time zone with seasonal clock changes throughout the country. Havana identifies the clock’s reference location; coastlines and islands are simplified. Cartography: Natural Earth, public domain. Adaptation by UniqueVisitor. Terms of use.

The same time in Havana, Varadero and Santiago de Cuba

Travelling from Havana to the beaches of Varadero, continuing to Trinidad or crossing the island to Santiago de Cuba does not require a time zone change. The same applies to Isla de la Juventud and the cayos: any clock adjustment depends on the seasonal change, rather than the next stop on your trip.

Which time zone should you choose on your phone?

Select Havana or America/Havana in your phone and calendar settings. This reference automatically switches between UTC−5 and UTC−4; a fixed offset would not follow the clock change. In this context, CST and CDT stand for Cuba Standard Time and Cuba Daylight Time respectively.

Daylight saving time in Cuba: when do the clocks change?

Under the current rule, daylight saving time in Cuba begins on the second Sunday in March: at 00:00 clocks move forward to 01:00, changing from UTC−5 to UTC−4. It ends on the first Sunday in November: at 01:00 clocks go back to 00:00 and UTC−5. When standard time returns, the hour between midnight and 01:00 occurs twice.

Daylight saving beginsSecond Sunday in March

At 00:00 clocks move to 01:00 · UTC−5 → UTC−4.

Standard time returnsFirst Sunday in November

At 01:00 clocks go back to 00:00 · UTC−4 → UTC−5.

Frequently asked questions about Cuba’s time zone

How many time zones does Cuba have?

Cuba has one time zone, shared by all its cities and islands: UTC−5 during standard time and UTC−4 during daylight saving time.

When do the clocks change in Cuba?

In Cuba, daylight saving time starts on the second Sunday in March, from 00:00 to 01:00, and ends on the first Sunday in November, from 01:00 to 00:00.

Do Havana and Varadero have the same time?

Havana and Varadero share the same time, as do Trinidad and Santiago de Cuba. Seasonal clock changes apply simultaneously throughout the country.

Sources

To find the time in other cities, see the time zone guide.