In recent hours, a currency has reported a slight upward shift in the informal currency market in Cuba.
This Thursday it was the turn of the Freely Convertible Currency (MLC), which experienced an increase from 413 to 415 CUP
Meanwhile, the dollar and the euro are holding onto their respective record selling values today, as revealed by the daily report from the independent media elTOQUE.
The U.S. dollar is currently valued at 510 CUP for the sixth consecutive day.
Exchange Rate Evolution
65 euros above, valued at 575 CUP, is the euro, which in the previous day climbed five units, but today remains unchanged.
Exchange rate today 05/03/2026 - 6:18 a.m. in Cuba:
Exchange rate of the dollar USD to CUP according to elTOQUE: 510 CUP.
Exchange rate of the euro EUR to CUP according to elTOQUE: 575 CUP.
Exchange rate of MLC to CUP according to elTOQUE: 415 CUP.
In a scenario of sustained inflation, low state wages, and increasing partial dollarization of the economy, every fluctuation in the informal market directly impacts internal prices and the purchasing power of Cubans.
The rates published by elTOQUE have become a key indicator for assessing the actual evolution of the Cuban peso against foreign currencies, in a context where the official exchange rate (1 USD = 24 CUP for legal entities and 1 USD = 120 CUP in the state exchange market) remains well below the values that apply in daily practice.
The gap between the official and informal rates reflects the ongoing scarcity of foreign currency in the state banking system and the high demand for dollars and euros from the population, whether for emigration, importing goods, protecting savings, or making purchases in the private sector.
This is further compounded by the so-called "floating" exchange rate, which, although presented as a more flexible mechanism since mid-December, remains very distant from the informal rate and fails to meet the actual demand for foreign currency from the population.
Equivalence of United States Dollar (USD) Bills to Cuban Peso (CUP), according to the exchange rates of March 5th:
1 USD = 510 CUP.
5 USD = 2,550 CUP.
10 USD = 5,100 CUP.
20 USD = 10,200 CUP.
50 USD = 25,500 CUP.
100 USD = 51,000 CUP.
Equivalence of Euro (EUR) bills to Cuban Peso (CUP):
1 EUR = 575 CUP.
5 EUR = 2.875 CUP.
10 EUR = 5,750 CUP.
20 EUR = 11,500 CUP.
50 EUR = 28,750 CUP.
100 EUR = 57,500 CUP.
200 EUR = 115,000 CUP.
500 EUR = 287,500 CUP.
Filed under: