Why Cubans don’t rush: What ‘Cuban Time’ teaches us about living better
Why Cubans don’t rush: What ‘Cuban Time’ teaches us about living better
When visitors arrive in Cuba, one of the first cultural shocks is not the vintage cars, the lack of Wi-Fi, or the music echoing from every corner—it’s the pace of life.
Time in Cuba flows differently. Appointments are loose, lines are long, and nothing really happens exactly on schedule. It’s called "la hora cubana"—Cuban time—and while it can be frustrating at first for foreigners used to strict agendas, it holds a valuable lesson: life doesn’t always have to be rushed.
What is Cuban time?
Cuban time is not just about being “late.” It’s a mindset, a rhythm of life deeply connected to the country’s culture, history, and identity. In Cuba, being present matters more than being punctual. Social connection takes priority. Conversations stretch longer. Meals are shared slowly. You won’t find many people checking their watches anxiously or rushing to the next thing.
Why? Because for decades, Cubans have learned to adapt to unpredictability—blackouts, fuel shortages, bureaucratic delays. Over time, they’ve developed a kind of cultural patience. Flexibility is a survival skill, and waiting becomes part of the routine.
Everyday examples of Cuban time
The queue culture
A line in Cuba can last 30 minutes or three hours. But people don't just stand silently—they talk, laugh, debate politics, and make friends. The line becomes a social event, not a frustration.
Meals without hurry
Lunch may begin at 1:00… or 2:30. Once it starts, it can go on for hours. Meals are about sharing stories, not just calories. Even street vendors take their time—fast food isn’t always fast here.
Tours and activities
Your city tour might start “around 10:00.” If your driver arrives at 10:20, don’t stress. He’ll make it up with a great story and maybe even a stop for fresh guarapo (sugarcane juice). In Cuba, quality often trumps punctuality.
Public transport & taxis
Schedules are loose, and transportation may require patience. But the journey itself—whether in a classic almendrón or a horse-drawn carriage—is half the experience.
Why foreigners need a little Cuban time
Many foreign visitors come from high-speed cultures obsessed with efficiency, productivity, and non-stop digital connection. Cuba offers a rare detox from the rush.
Visitors often find themselves:
Breathing deeper
Checking their phones less
Engaging in real conversations
Letting go of strict plans
It’s not always easy. At first, it can feel like things aren’t “working.” But if you lean into it, you’ll discover that Cuban time offers a rare opportunity to reset your priorities. Here, presence matters more than performance.
Real tourist experiences
“I missed my walking tour because I didn’t understand ‘Cuban time.’ But the driver invited me to his cousin’s house, and I ended up dancing salsa with a group of locals. It was the best ‘mistake’ of my trip.”
— Anna, Germany
“I was frustrated by how long everything took. But by the end of the week, I stopped checking the clock. I just enjoyed. It changed how I want to travel in the future.”
— Liam, UK
What we can learn from Cuban time
Cuban time isn't about being lazy—it’s about valuing life differently. It asks:
What if our time was measured not in tasks, but in experiences?
What if relationships came before routines?
What if slowing down made us more connected, not less?
Tips for adapting to Cuban time
Come with flexible plans, not fixed expectations.
Build in buffer time—delays are common.
Talk to people while you wait—locals are open and warm.
Put your phone away—Cuba is best experienced with your eyes, not your screen.
Breathe. Smile. Go with the flow. You’re in Cuba.
The real gift of travel: perspective
As you return home, you might notice that rush-hour traffic, overflowing inboxes, and tightly packed schedules feel… different. Maybe unnecessary. Maybe even absurd.
Because once you’ve experienced Cuban time, you’ll know that life doesn’t always need to move fast to be meaningful.
Sometimes, the best way to live better—is to live slower.