As of 10:33 a.m. local time in Havana, the unofficial currency market in Cuba kicks off this Saturday, November 7, 2026, with a widespread upward trend.
In the informal market, the US dollar is valued at 935 Cuban pesos (CUP), marking an increase of 7 pesos compared to the same time the previous day, when it was 928 CUP. This isn't an isolated spike: just a week ago, the dollar was exchanged at 883 pesos, reflecting a rise of 52 pesos over the past week.
Looking at the monthly trend, the rate has risen by 165 pesos from 770 CUP recorded 30 days ago. However, it's essential to consider this with caution, as it may partially reflect adjustments in the index's methodology. The dollar continues to dominate the informal market amid a structural shortage of foreign currency.
The Euro's Position in the Market
The euro is currently trading at 1,001 Cuban pesos (CUP), a figure that should be viewed as indicative due to the limited volume of transactions reported at this time. Nonetheless, the increase is noticeable: it's up by 1 peso from the previous session, where it was 1,000 CUP.
Over the past week, the euro has gained 38 pesos from 963 CUP seven days ago. Thirty days prior, it was exchanged at 861 pesos, although this comparison is subject to the same methodological caution noted for the dollar. The European currency is at its highest in the last 30 days, surpassing the dollar by 66 pesos, reinforcing its dominant position in Cuba's parallel market.
MLC and Its Market Dynamics
The MLC is approximately valued at 659 Cuban pesos (CUP), but this should be seen as merely indicative due to scarce and non-representative data. Compared to the previous day, it has increased by 7 pesos.
The weekly evolution is striking: just a week ago, it traded at 547 pesos, signifying an increase of 112 pesos in one week, a 20.5% rise. Without physical presence, its use is limited to state-run stores that accept it, restricting its circulation compared to cash currencies.
Comparing Official and Informal Exchange Rates
The official exchange rate set by the Central Bank of Cuba (Segment III) is 800 CUP per dollar and 892 CUP per euro, significantly lower than the rates prevailing in the everyday informal currency market. The gap between the official and informal dollar prices exceeds 135 pesos; for the euro, the difference is about 110 pesos.
Although Segment III was introduced as a more flexible exchange mechanism, its official rate remains far from the informal market's, failing to meet the real demand for foreign currency among the population. In the past month, the official dollar rate has moved from 698 to 800 CUP and the euro from 781 to 892 CUP, but these adjustments haven't narrowed the gap with the faster-moving parallel market.
In a scenario characterized by sustained inflation, low government wages, and increasing partial dollarization of the economy, fluctuations in the informal market directly impact local prices and the purchasing power of Cubans. The dollar's cumulative rise in recent weeks further erodes the buying power of those earning in Cuban pesos.
The CiberCuba Exchange Rate is an index of the Cuban informal market, created through automated analysis of thousands of currency exchange posts in Telegram and Facebook groups. It discards atypical offers and spam, weighs each transaction by its timeliness, and consolidates a representative value that is updated several times daily.
USD to CUP Conversion:
1 USD = 935 CUP
5 USD = 4,675 CUP
10 USD = 9,350 CUP
20 USD = 18,700 CUP
50 USD = 46,750 CUP
100 USD = 93,500 CUP
EUR to CUP Conversion:
1 EUR = 1,001 CUP
5 EUR = 5,005 CUP
10 EUR = 10,010 CUP
20 EUR = 20,020 CUP
50 EUR = 50,050 CUP
100 EUR = 100,100 CUP
200 EUR = 200,200 CUP
Understanding Cuba's Informal Currency Market
What is the current exchange rate for the US dollar in Cuba's black market?
As of today, the US dollar is trading at 935 Cuban pesos (CUP) in the informal market.
How does the euro compare to the US dollar in Cuba's parallel market?
In the black market, the euro is valued at 1,001 CUP, surpassing the dollar by 66 pesos.
Why is there a disparity between official and informal exchange rates in Cuba?
The gap arises because the official rates are less responsive to market demands and economic conditions than the more flexible informal rates.
What factors contribute to the rising exchange rates in Cuba's informal market?
Ongoing inflation, low state salaries, and an increasing shift towards dollarization contribute to the rising rates, impacting Cuban purchasing power.