Cuban People

Like every stereotype, the much-disseminated image of Cubans as a friendly, courteous, happy, voluptuous and fun-loving people is mix of truth and exaggeration. The result of miscegenation among peoples of chiefly Spanish and African origin, Cuba's population is racially heterogeneous, showing a more or less balanced proportion of whites, blacks and mestizos. As education is free and accessible to everyone at all levels, the cultural level of those you will interact with in Cuba is likely to be relatively high. Cubans living in urban areas are generally accustomed to interacting with foreigners given the considerable volumes of visitors the country welcomes each year. Those who reside in rural areas tend to be humble, kind, honest and very courteous people. And though it would be hard to conclusively state that all Cubans are excellent dancers and cigar smokers, it is certainly true that a good part of the population likes to party, dance or simply converse at a street-corner while drinking rum. Though the local language is Spanish, many Cubans (particularly those who interact with tourists) speak other languages (primarily English).