Time in South America: time difference by country

This post is also available in: Español

When planning a trip you look for information about currency, weather and time. The dreaded jet lag is given by the differences between time zones and of course, it is normal that you want to mentalize before taking the plane and land on the other side of the pond disoriented, disoriented, but eager to explore. Therefore, and so that you have more clear the time in South America when you land, we detail the time zone of some of their countries.

By way of summary and to clarify your ideas, we summarize that in Peru, Mexico, Ecuador and Colombia it is the same time (GMT – 5). In order comes Bolivia and Chile with a GMT of – 4 and finally Argentina with a GMT of – 3. It is as simple as imagining a line of negative numbers and go backward or forward positions from your starting point.

If in your country the GMT is – 4, for example, and in the destination country the GMT is – 5, you have to move back one position on the line, which translates into moving the clock back one hour. If in your country the GMT is – 6 and in your destination country the GMT is -3, you will have to add 3 positions to the right, so set the clock forward 3 hours. Help yourself with a pen and paper!

What time is it in Peru?

In Peru the GMT is – 5 which means that they are 5 hours behind Greenwich Mean Time. If you are traveling from New York (GMT – 4) you will have to set your clock back one hour in Peru. In case you are traveling from San Francisco (GMT – 7) you will have to set it forward 2 hours.

What time is it in Mexico?

In Mexico the GMT varies according to zones. In Mexico City and the Yucatan Peninsula the GMT is – 5 which means that if you are traveling from New York (GMT – 4) you will have to do the same as if you are traveling to Peru: set the clock back one hour if you are traveling from New York and set it forward 2 hours if you are traveling from San Francisco.

What time is it in Ecuador?

In Ecuador the GMT is – 5 which means that if you are traveling from New York (GMT – 4) you will have to advance the clock one hour when you arrive at the airport. If you arrive at 11:00 in the morning in Ecuador it will be 12:00. From San Francisco it will be two hours ahead. Sound familiar? Remember that it is the same time as in Peru, Ecuador and Colombia.

If you allow us a piece of advice, set aside at least 10 days in Ecuador because it is a country that you will undoubtedly some of you will fall in love with. Before we go on we give you another tip, this time we don’t ask. Don’t think about climbing Chimborazo the first day because you don’t want to combine jet lag and altitude sickness, little by little.

What time is it in Colombia?

In Colombia the GMT is back to – 5 and you probably already know what that means. Let’s go over it again, but let’s change the name of the city. If you are traveling from Philadelphia (GMT – 4) you will have to set your watch back one hour, if it is from Chicago leave it the same, and if you are traveling from San Diego or Los Angeles (GMT -7), you will have to set it forward two hours. We are in favor of going back in time to have more time to travel around Colombia.

What time is it in Bolivia?

In Bolivia GMT is – 4, so you know you are 4 hours behind Greenwich Mean Time. It is time to leave the clock still if you are traveling from New York or Philadelphia. In the case of flying from San Francisco, San Diego or Los Angeles, which you already know are GMT – 7, you will have to set your watch three hours ahead. Isn’t it clear? If in San Francisco it is 03:00 in the morning, in Bolivia it is 6:00.

What time is it in Chile?

In Chile the GMT in winter is – 4 which means that it is 4 hours behind Greenwich Mean Time. This information means that if you travel from New York the time will not change and if you travel from Los Angeles it will be three hours behind your watch.

What time is it in Argentina?

In Argentina the GMT is – 3 which means that if you are traveling from New York (GMT – 4) you will have to set your watch 1 hour ahead when you arrive at the airport: if when you arrive to discover Argentina your classic watch, not the smartwatch that changes the time itself, shows 9:00 a.m., you will have to set it ahead until 10:00 am. Easy?

If your trip starts during the winter in New York, the opposite situation occurs, the time difference changes a little. If your destination is Chile or Mexico you don’t have to worry because there is also a time change, the time difference is maintained. How is going the lesson about the time in South America?

In Argentina, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia and Bolivia there is no time change in summer or winter. If you plan your trip during winter, you will have to take into account that the GMT in New York is – 5 and in San Francisco – 8. Start calculating!

We know you’re still getting used to the time in South America, but don’t worry because technology makes things very easy. Your mobile adapts quickly to the changes and will do you the great favor of updating the time without you having to tell it anything. As if that were not enough this function also have the smartwatches, at this rate the only ones less intelligent are people, don’t you think?