Strong movements in the black market exchange rate in Cuba: What are the dollar, euro, and MLC worth?

This is how the price of foreign currencies opens in the informal market in Cuba.



A hundred-dollar bill and a fifty-euro note on a street in Havana (Reference image)Photo © CiberCuba/ChatGpt

The U.S. dollar this Thursday wakes up with an exchange rate of 550 Cuban pesos (CUP), according to the daily monitoring by elTOQUE.

It is the only currency that maintained its price compared to the previous day and continues to be the most sought after by those receiving remittances, purchasing imported products, or trying to protect their savings against inflation and the depreciation of the Cuban peso.

The euro continues to trade above the dollar. It breaks its own record set on Wednesday and today reaches 640 CUP in the informal market.

The European currency is gaining ground among travelers and small entrepreneurs, as pressure increases on the wallets of Cubans due to the rising costs of food, medicine, and other basic products.

The Freely Convertible Currency (MLC), used in state stores, is currently valued at 410 CUP. That's 10 pesos less than on Wednesday. It is far from its historical highs, although it still represents a significant economic burden for many Cuban families.

Informal exchange rate in Cuba. Thursday, May 21, 2026 - 07:29

Exchange rate of the dollar (USD) to Cuban pesos (CUP): 550 CUP

Exchange rate of the euro (EUR) to Cuban pesos (CUP): 640 CUP

Exchange rate from (MLC) to Cuban pesos CUP: 410 CUP

Equivalence of banknotes in Cuban pesos (CUP)

Dollar in Cuban pesos (CUP)

  • 1 USD = 550 CUP
  • 5 USD = 2,750 CUP
  • 10 USD = 5,500 CUP
  • 20 USD = 11,000 CUP
  • 50 USD = 27,500 CUP
  • 100 USD = 55,000 CUP

Euro in Cuban pesos (CUP)

  • 5 EUR = 3,200 CUP
  • 10 EUR = 6,400 CUP
  • 20 EUR = 12,800 CUP
  • 50 EUR = 32,000 CUP
  • 100 EUR = 64,000 CUP
  • 200 EUR = 128,000 CUP
  • 500 EUR = 320,000 CUP

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.