Cuba moves one hour ahead of Miami after Florida changes clocks

Since November 1, clocks in Cuba have shown one hour later than those in Miami after Florida returned to standard time while the island kept daylight saving time. The difference began early Sunday: when it was 3 a.m. in Miami, it was already 4 a.m. in Havana. The two locations therefore stopped sharing the same time.

The difference results from Miami's adjustment and Cuba's decision to retain daylight saving time. Cuba remains on UTC−4 while Miami moved to UTC−5. Cuban time is therefore ahead even though the two places are close and their clocks matched before the seasonal change.

The conversion continues throughout the day: 9 a.m. in Miami, for example, is 10 a.m. in Havana. People coordinating calls, travel or appointments must account for the difference when calculating local time. The adjustment also changes the time reference for daily activities in the island and Florida.

The difference is expected to last until March 14, 2027, when the United States again moves clocks forward for daylight saving time. That change will bring Miami and Cuba's time references back together. Until then, Cuba remains one hour ahead.

The situation comes from Miami setting clocks back while Cuba retained daylight saving time, not from simultaneous changes in both places. It matters for communications and activities across the Florida Straits and for previously scheduled commitments. The practical rule is simple: add one hour to Miami time to get Havana time.