Dollar reaches record high in Cuba, matching historic peaks of 2024

The historical chart shows a clear pattern of escalation in the value of the dollar since the beginning of 2021. Although there have been periods of relative stability and occasional setbacks, the overall trend has been consistently upward.

Reference image created with Artificial IntelligencePhoto © CiberCuba / Sora

The informal exchange rate of the dollar (USD) in Cuba reached a new record on Sunday, August 3, trading at 395 Cuban pesos (CUP) in the informal market.

This figure is the highest so far this year and matches the historical peak recorded in May 2024, when the U.S. dollar first reached that level, marking a new phase of accelerated depreciation of the Cuban peso.

Informal exchange rate in Cuba Sunday, August 3, 2025 - 05:00

  • Exchange rate of the dollar (USD) to Cuban pesos CUP: 395 CUP
  • Exchange rate of the euro (EUR) to Cuban pesos (CUP): 440 CUP
  • Exchange rate from (MLC) to Cuban pesos CUP: 220 CUP

On its part, the euro (EUR) remains this Sunday at 440 CUP, a historical high reached on July 26 that seems to be consolidating with the passing of days, perhaps foreshadowing further increases in its informal rate.

Exchange Rate Evolution

Meanwhile, the Freely Convertible Currency (MLC) remains at the 220 CUP reached on July 24, an amount that marks its lowest value so far this year, 20 CUP less than in January 2025, according to the informal market rates compiled by CiberCuba.

Caption

The historical graph shows a clear pattern of escalation in the value of the dollar since early 2021. Although there have been periods of relative stability and specific setbacks, such as those recorded between September and November 2024, the overall trend has been consistently upward.

Since December of last year, the currency has resumed a sustained upward trajectory, which has intensified in recent months, pushing it back to the peak values reached in the spring of 2024.

This new surge in the dollar reflects not only the continuous loss of purchasing power of the Cuban peso but also the ongoing economic uncertainty that the island is facing. The scarcity of basic goods and the limited supply of foreign currencies in the official market continue to fuel demand in the black market.

The fact that the dollar has reached 395 CUP again has direct implications for the prices of goods and services, especially those that rely on foreign purchases. It also deepens the gap between those who have access to foreign currency and those who depend solely on their salaries in Cuban pesos.

In this context, the Cuban population continues to face a complex economic reality, characterized by inflation, shortages, and the increasing informality of the markets.

The behavior of the dollar is a barometer of that situation: each new record confirms the deterioration of the national economy and the urgency for structural changes to halt the free fall of the Cuban peso.

Filed under:

CiberCuba Editorial Team

A team of journalists committed to reporting on Cuban current affairs and topics of global interest. At CiberCuba, we work to deliver truthful news and critical analysis.