Local People & Culture in Cuba, Cuba culture and traditions, Cuba culture music and dance, Cuba travel guide, Cuba tourism & vacations
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Cubans are some of the friendliest and most honest people on the planet. They will talk to anyone and everyone, and are generous with their time and money. Put simply, the people are what make this country special. If you want to understand the complex cultural fabric of Cuba, you must first start with its people.

After arriving at the airport in Havana, you’ll drive into the city and see people hanging out pretty much everywhere you go. They’re playing baseball, talking to neighbors, and peddling around on bicycles with friends. The people are out and about, engaging with one another and the world around them. It’s the exact opposite of an isolated and cold social climate. Relationships with family and friends are prized above pretty much everything else.

As a traveler, this social dynamic offers you a unique opportunity to engage with the local people and learn about their culture. This article is aimed at helping you better understand Cubans and prepare for your trip to Cuba.

How Cubans Are
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Cubans are gregarious, friendly people. They will talk to just about anyone, and seem to spend the majority of their days in the company of others. Walking down the street in Cuba, you’ll see people sitting outside their homes talking to neighbors. On promenades like the Prado in Havana, you’ll witness couples kissing, kids kicking soccer balls, and old men playing chess. The people are tightly interconnected with one another, which is especially refreshing for outsiders who come from countries where technology has largely replaced interpersonal communication. In fact, the lack of technology in Cuba – cell phones, TVs, and computers – has made socializing more of a necessity. It’s how people get their news and entertainment.

Cubans are also extremely honest—most locals aren’t out to rob, steal, or cheat you. If you leave a camera or passport in a taxi or at a restaurant, there’s a good chance that you will get it back. Cubans want visitors to have a positive experience in Cuba.

Due to their tight social network and outgoing attitude, Cubans seem happy—you often see them smiling, chatting, and hugging one another. However, beneath the surface there is also sadness and dissatisfaction. Alarmingly, the suicide rate in Cuba is nearly twice that of the United States. It’s the biggest cause of death for Cubans between age 15 and 45. Cubans may feel trapped by economic and political restrictions, and suicide often is seen as way to escape.

Despite their economic and political woes, Cubans genuinely love their country and Cubans feel a strong loyalty to their homeland. Ask a local why they love Cuba and they will tell you about the country’s friendly culture, beautiful landscapes, and inviting climate. They are proud of their history and hopeful about their future.

Demographics and Social Divisions
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In 2012, the Cuban census reported that the country’s population was a little over 11 million. Of these people, 76 percent live in an urban setting, primarily Havana and Santiago de Cuba. Cuba’s population growth has slowed in recent years, and Cuba is actually one of the few places in Latin America where the population is falling rather than rising. However, Cuba also has a fairly old population—about 16 percent of the people are over the age of 60. This is likely to create economic problems as more Cubans retire and begin to receive a government pension.

About 37 percent of the Cuban population is “white”—essentially people of Spanish descent. 11 percent is black, and about 52 percent is a mixture of white and black. A tiny percentage of the population is Chinese. The Cuban population is diverse and heterogeneous, and is far less racially divided than the United States.

Cuba freed its slaves in 1888, and until the 1930s, the country’s institutions remained open to people of all color. However, in the 1940s and ‘50s, businesses sought to appeal to American visitors and adopted a form of racism that was then prevalent in the United States. Multiracial Cubans and blacks were banned from hotels and clubs. After the Revolution, institutionalized racism was banned and equality was supported. As a result, Cuban society is now fairly diverse and accepting of all people. Marriage between blacks and whites is common, and people are friendly and accepting of all races and ethnicities. Even so, Afro-Cubans do tend to be slightly poorer than whites and have fewer positions in government and universities.


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