As of 8:00 PM local time in Cuba, the informal currency market closed on Friday, November 13, 2026, with mixed trends among its principal currencies. The U.S. dollar saw an uptick, the euro experienced a slight dip, and the MLC witnessed a significant drop compared to the previous day, though its value should be approached cautiously due to the minimal volume of transactions supporting it.
By the end of the session, the U.S. dollar was trading at 910 Cuban pesos (CUP). This marks an increase of five pesos from the previous session, where it was valued at 905 CUP. On a weekly basis, the dollar has decreased by 25 pesos from 935 CUP a week ago, a drop of 2.7%.
Over the past month, the dollar has climbed 115 pesos from 795 CUP, though this increase should be interpreted carefully as it may partly reflect methodological adjustments to the index. In the past four weeks, the dollar has fluctuated between a low of 795 and a high of 940 CUP in the informal market. The demand for dollars remains high as individuals seek to protect their savings against the depreciation of the peso.
Euro's Performance in the Cuban Market
The euro closed at 988 Cuban pesos (CUP), just one peso below the previous session's 989 CUP. While the drop is minimal, it confirms that the euro has failed to maintain its opening momentum when it started at 985 CUP. On a weekly comparison, the euro has lost 12 pesos from 1,000 CUP a week ago, a decline of 1.2%.
Over a 30-day period, the euro has risen 97.5 pesos from 890 CUP, although this variation could also include methodological adjustments. The monthly range sets the minimum at 890 and the maximum at 1,010 CUP. The euro surpasses the dollar by 78 pesos, reinforcing its dominant position in Cuba's parallel market.
MLC's Unsteady Standing
The MLC stands at approximately 438 Cuban pesos (CUP) at the close, but this figure should be considered a guideline given the low transaction volume backing it. Compared to the previous day, it has dropped by 134.5 pesos, a 23.5% decrease, which reflects more on the irregularity of recorded transactions than a real, sustained market movement.
Weekly, the MLC has lost 215 pesos from 653 CUP seven days ago. Without physical existence, its use is limited to state-run stores that accept it, restricting its circulation compared to cash currencies.
Official vs. Informal Exchange Rates
Exchange rates for the U.S. dollar to CUP stand at 910 CUP, the euro at 988 CUP, and the MLC at 438 CUP (indicative value, limited data). The official exchange rate from the Central Bank of Cuba (Segment III) remains considerably lower at 825 CUP per dollar and 913 CUP per euro, far below the practical values in the informal currency market. The gap between the official and informal rates is 85 pesos for the dollar and 75 pesos for the euro.
Despite Segment III being introduced as a more flexible exchange mechanism, its official rate remains significantly detached from the informal market, failing to meet the real currency demand of the population. Over the past month, the official dollar rate has risen from 707 to 825 CUP, and the euro from 791 to 913 CUP, indicating continued devaluation of the national currency even in the official channel.
In a landscape of persistent inflation, low state wages, and increasing partial dollarization of the economy, any fluctuation in the informal market directly affects domestic prices and the purchasing power of Cubans. This Friday's closing, with the dollar above 900 pesos, highlights the extent of the deterioration of the Cuban peso against foreign currencies.
The CiberCuba Exchange Rate is an index of the Cuban informal market, developed through the automated analysis of thousands of currency trade postings in Telegram and Facebook groups. The calculation excludes atypical offers and spam messages, weighting each transaction according to its age and consolidating a representative value that is updated multiple times a day.
Currency Equivalences
Equivalence of U.S. Dollar (USD) bills to Cuban Peso (CUP), based on this Friday, November 13, 2026, exchange rates: 1 USD = 910 CUP, 5 USD = 4,550 CUP, 10 USD = 9,100 CUP, 20 USD = 18,200 CUP, 50 USD = 45,500 CUP, 100 USD = 91,000 CUP.
Equivalence of Euro (EUR) bills to Cuban Peso (CUP), based on this Friday, November 13, 2026, exchange rates: 1 EUR = 988 CUP, 5 EUR = 4,940 CUP, 10 EUR = 9,880 CUP, 20 EUR = 19,760 CUP, 50 EUR = 49,400 CUP, 100 EUR = 98,800 CUP, 200 EUR = 197,600 CUP.
Understanding Cuba's Informal Currency Market
Why is the U.S. dollar in high demand in Cuba?
The high demand for the U.S. dollar in Cuba is primarily due to its role as a stable store of value, offering protection against the depreciation of the Cuban peso.
How do official exchange rates compare to informal market rates in Cuba?
Official exchange rates in Cuba are significantly lower than those in the informal market, often failing to meet the real currency demand of the population.
What influences the fluctuating exchange rates in Cuba's informal market?
Fluctuating exchange rates in the informal market are influenced by factors such as inflation, economic instability, and changes in currency demand and supply.