This Friday, October 2, Cuba's informal currency market sees a rise in the value of three key currencies compared to the previous day.
As of 10:00 a.m. local Cuban time, the average rate for the U.S. dollar reaches 774 Cuban pesos, the euro stands at 875 pesos, and the MLC is marked at 504 pesos.
Exchange Rate Highlights
U.S. Dollar: The U.S. dollar is currently trading at 774 Cuban pesos (CUP) in the informal market, with buying rates at 770 CUP and selling at 778 CUP. This marks an increase of 11.5 pesos from the previous day when the average was 763 CUP. Over the past week, the dollar has climbed 44 pesos, a 6% jump from 730 CUP just seven days ago. A month ago, the rate was 678 CUP, showing a significant rise of 96.5 pesos, though some of this change might reflect adjustments in the index methodology. Today, the dollar hits its highest point in a month at 774 CUP, maintaining its influence in the informal market amidst a chronic shortage of foreign currency.
Euro Hits New Monthly Peak
The euro is valued at 875 Cuban pesos (CUP), with purchase rates at 870 CUP and sales at 880 CUP. Compared to the previous day, the euro has increased by 8 pesos from 867 CUP. In weekly terms, it has risen 43 pesos, which is a 5.2% increase from 832 CUP a week ago. Thirty days ago, the euro was trading at 770 CUP, indicating a rise of 105 pesos, although, similar to the dollar, some of this rise may be due to index adjustments. Today, the euro reaches its highest point in the last 30 days at 875 CUP, surpassing the dollar by 101 pesos and reinforcing its leading position in Cuba's parallel market.
MLC: Cautionary Valuation
The MLC is showing an average value of 504 Cuban pesos (CUP), with buying at 499 CUP and selling at 508 CUP. This data should be considered cautiously as transaction volumes in this range are low, rendering the value indicative. From the previous session, the MLC has risen 13.5 pesos from yesterday's 490 CUP. Over the last week, the change is more modest, with an increase of 5.5 pesos from 498 CUP seven days ago. Thirty days ago, it traded at 464 CUP. Without physical existence, its use is limited to state-run stores that accept it, restricting its circulation compared to cash currencies.
Disparity Between Informal and Official Exchange Rates
The official exchange rate from the Central Bank of Cuba (Segment III) remains at 693 CUP per dollar and 778 CUP per euro, which is significantly lower than the rates prevailing in the informal market. Currently, the gap between the two markets is 81 pesos for the dollar and 97 pesos for the euro. Although Segment III was introduced as a more flexible exchange mechanism, its official rates remain far from those in the informal market and fail to meet the real currency demand of the population.
Over the past month, the official dollar rate has moved from 638 to 693 CUP, and the euro from 739 to 778 CUP. This upward trend, however, has not been sufficient to bridge the gap with the parallel market. In an environment of persistent inflation, low state salaries, and increasing partial dollarization of the economy, each fluctuation in the informal market directly impacts internal prices and the purchasing power of Cuban citizens.
Currency Conversion Rates
U.S. Dollar (USD) to Cuban Peso (CUP) as of Friday, October 2, 2026:
- 1 USD = 774 CUP
- 5 USD = 3,870 CUP
- 10 USD = 7,740 CUP
- 20 USD = 15,480 CUP
- 50 USD = 38,700 CUP
- 100 USD = 77,400 CUP
Euro (EUR) to Cuban Peso (CUP) as of Friday, October 2, 2026:
- 1 EUR = 875 CUP
- 5 EUR = 4,375 CUP
- 10 EUR = 8,750 CUP
- 20 EUR = 17,500 CUP
- 50 EUR = 43,750 CUP
- 100 EUR = 87,500 CUP
The CiberCuba Exchange Rate is an index of the Cuban informal market, crafted through automated analysis of thousands of currency exchange posts in Telegram and Facebook groups. The calculation excludes atypical offers and spam messages, weighing each transaction by its recency to establish a representative value that is updated multiple times daily.
Understanding Currency Exchange in Cuba
Why is there a significant gap between official and informal exchange rates in Cuba?
The gap between official and informal exchange rates in Cuba is mainly due to the government's inability to meet the real demand for foreign currency. The official rates are often set below market realities, making the informal market more attractive for those needing foreign exchange.
How does the fluctuation in the informal market affect the Cuban economy?
Fluctuations in the informal market significantly impact the Cuban economy by influencing internal prices and the purchasing power of citizens. As the informal market dictates the real value of currencies, changes here can lead to inflationary pressures and affect everyday costs.