What was once the most affordable street food for low-income Cubans has now become a stark indicator of the economic crisis: in 2026, the price of a pizza in Cuba ranges from 100 CUP at a provincial stall to over 7,000 CUP in a private Havana restaurant.
In cities like Holguín, a basic pizza at a street vendor costs between 100 and 150 CUP, whereas in Camagüey and Ciego de Ávila, prices fluctuate between 180 and 200 CUP.
The Soaring Prices in Havana
The situation in the capital is a different story. In Havana, street vendors charge around 300 to 400 CUP for a pizza, but prices have skyrocketed: at the Paradero de Playa, the cost jumped from 250 CUP at the end of 2025 to 400 CUP by June of this year, a 60% increase in less than three months.
At private restaurants, the prices are even steeper. A pizza at Hotel E Velasco and Louvre costs 1,000 CUP, and extra toppings can add between 200 and 500 CUP. In high-end establishments, the price can soar to between 6,000 and 7,000 CUP.
In September, three pizzas from a private business totaled about 7,700 CUP, roughly 2,567 CUP each.
The Economic Strain on Cuban Households
The financial impact on Cuban households is severe, and the varying pizza prices highlight the widening gap that showcases the erosion of the population's purchasing power.
With an average monthly salary estimated at 6,930 CUP and a minimum wage between 2,100 and 2,200 CUP, a single restaurant pizza can account for 14% to 47% of a worker's monthly income.
In July, a Cuban woman shared that a family outing — shrimp, ropa vieja, pork, and takeaway pizzas — cost her 20,000 CUP, equivalent to four months of her salary.
Underlying Causes of Price Inflation
Several structural factors contribute to the rising costs. A sack of flour, an essential ingredient for any pizzeria, reached a price of 45,000 CUP in 2026, and the informal dollar exchange rate hit 780 CUP in October, making imported ingredients like cheese, meats, and oil more expensive.
Cuba's official year-on-year inflation rate hit 25.19% in August, but in the food and non-alcoholic drinks category, the increase was even more pronounced at 36.01% for the same month.
The Dual Economy: Local vs. Tourist Pricing
Even at public events and venues, prices are relentless. During the Pa'Cuba festival at the National Aquarium, a pizza was priced at 1,350 CUP, and at a popular beach in Las Tunas, a state-run stall sold it for about 300 CUP.
For foreign tourists, the scenario is different: in Havana's tourist eateries, an Italian pizza can cost between $14 and $22, highlighting the divide between the peso economy and the dollarized one.
Pizza, which for decades symbolized affordable Cuban street food, served as a cheap alternative even during the special period of the 1990s. Today, as a recent analysis pointed out, what once fed the poorest has become a privilege out of reach for many Cubans.
Understanding the Pizza Price Surge in Cuba
Why has pizza become so expensive in Cuba?
The rising cost of pizza in Cuba is due to several structural factors, including the high price of basic ingredients like flour and the increasing informal exchange rate of the dollar, which affects the cost of imported goods.
How do pizza prices compare between Cuban locals and tourists?
Tourists in Havana can expect to pay between $14 and $22 for a pizza, while locals face prices that can range significantly due to economic disparities, with pizzas costing from 100 CUP to over 7,000 CUP depending on the location.
What is the impact of pizza prices on Cuban households?
With average monthly salaries around 6,930 CUP, a single pizza can represent a significant portion of a Cuban worker's income, highlighting the financial strain and diminishing purchasing power of the population.