7 Types Of People You'll Come Across In Cuba

Cuba is a fascinating country with a unique society, and these conditions mean that there are certain characters that you will come across again and again during your time on the island. Here are a few of them.

The highly educated taxi driver

Education is free in Cuba, and standards are incredibly high. It’s common to meet people with Masters degrees or even PhDs, but research jobs are hard to come by and are poorly paid. If you have access to a car or a rental property you can make many more times the state salary by ferrying tourists around or renting them your spare room. Highly qualified taxi drivers are one of the most famous Cuban tropes, as it’s one of the best-paid professions on the island.

The bartender/fixer

The street hustler

Anyone working in the tourist economy in Cuba has access to far greater wealth than those who work for the state. This means that the incentive to get involved is incredibly high, even for those who can’t get a job in formal roles in a hotels or with a tour company. As a result, hustlers known as jineteros are a reliable fixture in tourist hotspots. They’ll take you to restaurants, bars, or hotels in return for a commission from the owner of the establishment, the cost of which will likely be added on to your bill.

The Cuban–American entrepreneur

Cuban emigration to the United States has been a constant theme since before the revolution, but recent economic reforms have enticed some Cuban–Americans to make the return journey. They might not be coming back to live on the island permanently, but instead to set up businesses serving the growing tourist industry, while leveraging their old family contacts.

The motherly B&B owner

Staying in Cuban B&Bs, known as casas particulares, is the best way to see the island and get to know the locals. The most important character in the casa is often a matronly woman who does everything she can to look after her guests. Be prepared for unsolicited advice on everything from dating to fashion, as well as helpful tips on what to see in whichever Cuban town you are visiting.

The communist devotee

Cuba remains a communist country, and there are plenty of people who remain convinced that the revolution was the best thing that ever happened. Many Cubans criticize the government for the state of the economy or the one-party system, but there are others who will wax lyrical about the Cuban Communist Party for hours. If your Spanish is up to it, a sit-down chat with one of these committed communists is a real eye-opener.

The internet card salesperson

In Cuba, most people can only get online at one of the limited number of WiFi hotspots, and the cabins where you buy the card that you need to use them are only open at certain times of the day. As a result, enterprising locals (or price-gouging resellers, depending on your point of view) stock up and sell them on at a profit outside of normal trading hours.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.