The informal currency exchange market in Cuba is witnessing a notable upward momentum for the US dollar as of Sunday, September 27, 2026.
By 10:00 a.m. local time in Cuba, the American currency has gained traction, shaping the day's trading climate, while the euro remains mostly unchanged and the MLC experiences a slight decline.
Escalating Pressure on the Cuban Peso
The street-level market dynamics indicate ongoing pressure on the Cuban peso, with no signs of easing.
Current Exchange Rates
Exchange rate for the US dollar to CUP: 741 CUP.
Exchange rate for the euro to CUP: 842 CUP.
Exchange rate for the MLC to CUP: 483 CUP.
US Dollar Leads the Day's Market Activity
On this Sunday, the US dollar is valued at 741 Cuban pesos (CUP) in the informal market, marking an increase of 8.5 pesos from the previous day when it was traded at 733 CUP.
The demand for dollars remains high among those seeking to safeguard their savings against the peso's devaluation. The dollar's upward trajectory isn't a one-time event; over the past week, it has risen 28.5 pesos, a 4% jump from the previous week's 713 CUP.
When compared to 30 days ago, the dollar has increased by 68.5 pesos — from 673 CUP to the current 741 CUP. However, this data should be viewed cautiously, as it may partly reflect index methodology adjustments.
Within the last month, the dollar has fluctuated between a low of 673 CUP and the current peak of 741 CUP, the highest level recorded in this period.
Euro Maintains Stability at High Levels
The euro is trading at 842 Cuban pesos (CUP) in the informal market, a figure to be used as a guideline given the limited data available at this time.
Compared to the previous day, the change is minimal: an increase of just 2.5 pesos from the 840 CUP recorded in the prior session.
On a weekly basis, the euro has gained 30.5 pesos, a 3.8% increase from seven days ago when it was valued at 812 CUP. Looking back 30 days — with the same caution for potential methodological adjustments — there is an 84.5 peso difference from a month ago when it stood at 758 CUP.
Over the last month, the European currency has ranged between a low of 758 CUP and the current maximum of 842 CUP, making it the most expensive currency in Cuba's parallel market, surpassing the dollar by 101 pesos.
SLight Decline for MLC
The freely convertible currency (MLC) is trading around 483 Cuban pesos (CUP), though this value is indicative due to the limited volume of available data.
From the previous day, it has decreased by 6 pesos from the 489 CUP of the previous session. Over the past week, the drop is more significant: seven days ago, the MLC was exchanged at 516 CUP, representing a 32.5 peso decline, or 6.3%, over the past week.
In the last month, the MLC has fluctuated between a low of 415 CUP and a high of 542 CUP. Without physical existence, its usage is confined to state-run stores that accept it, limiting its circulation compared to cash currencies.
Widening Gap with Official Exchange Rate
The official exchange rate set by the Central Bank of Cuba (Segment III), at 681 CUP per dollar and 776 CUP per euro, remains significantly below the values prevailing in the daily practice of the informal currency market.
The disparity between the official and informal prices stands at 60 pesos for the dollar and 66 pesos for the euro today.
Although Segment III was introduced as a more flexible exchange mechanism, its official rate stays far from the informal market and fails to meet the real currency demand of the population.
It's noteworthy that the official rate itself has consistently climbed over the last month: the official dollar rate increased from 634 CUP at the end of August to the current 681 CUP, indicating that even the Cuban regime implicitly acknowledges the devaluation pressure on the peso.
The gap between the official and informal rates highlights the persistent currency shortage in the state banking system and the high demand for dollars and euros by the population, whether to emigrate, import goods, safeguard savings, or make purchases in the private sector.
In a scenario of sustained inflation, low state wages, and increasing partial dollarization of the economy, each fluctuation in the informal market directly affects internal prices and the purchasing power of Cubans.
US Dollar to Cuban Peso Conversion, September 27, 2026
1 USD = 741 CUP
5 USD = 3,705 CUP
10 USD = 7,410 CUP
20 USD = 14,820 CUP
50 USD = 37,050 CUP
100 USD = 74,100 CUP
Euro to Cuban Peso Conversion, September 27, 2026
1 EUR = 842 CUP
5 EUR = 4,210 CUP
10 EUR = 8,420 CUP
20 EUR = 16,840 CUP
50 EUR = 42,100 CUP
100 EUR = 84,200 CUP
Methodology
The CiberCuba Exchange Rate is an index for the Cuban informal market derived from automated analysis of thousands of currency exchange listings on Telegram and Facebook groups.
The calculation excludes atypical offers and spam, weighs each transaction by its age, and consolidates a representative value that updates several times a day.
Cuban Peso Exchange FAQs
Why is the US dollar increasing in Cuba's informal market?
The US dollar is rising due to high demand among Cubans seeking to safeguard their savings against the devaluation of the Cuban peso.
What is the current gap between the official and informal exchange rates in Cuba?
The gap is 60 pesos for the dollar and 66 pesos for the euro, highlighting the discrepancy between the official rates and the actual demand-driven rates in the informal market.
How has the euro performed in Cuba's informal market recently?
The euro has remained stable, trading at 842 CUP, with a weekly increase of 30.5 pesos, marking it as the most expensive currency in Cuba's informal market.