This is how the informal market in Cuba begins the day: the dollar starts the morning unchanged

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By CiberCuba Editorial Team

Monday, July 20, 2026 - 12:09

Dollar in Cuba (reference image)Photo © CiberCuba

At 10:00 a.m., local Cuban time, opens this Monday, July 20, 2026, with the dollar and the euro showing no changes from the previous day. The MLC, on the other hand, is experiencing an upward movement, although this data should be taken with caution due to the low volume of transactions. Overall, the week's opening is proceeding relatively calmly in the parallel market.

The U.S. dollar is trading at 665 Cuban pesos (CUP) in the informal market, with a buying rate of 660 CUP and a selling rate of 670 CUP. It remains unchanged from the previous day. In a weekly perspective, the North American currency has accumulated an increase of 7.5 pesos compared to seven days ago, when it was around 658 CUP, which translates to a rise of 1.1%. In terms of monthly comparison, the dollar is trading 28.5 pesos below its level from 30 days ago, although this difference may partly reflect methodological adjustments in the index rather than just market movements. Over the last 30 days, the dollar has fluctuated between a low of 610 CUP and a high of 695 CUP. It continues to set the tone in the informal market amidst a context of structural currency scarcity.

The euro is quoted at 765 Cuban pesos (CUP), with a buying price of 760 CUP and a selling price of 770 CUP. It remains unchanged compared to the previous session. It is worth noting that its value is indicative, as only 17 offers have been recorded during this time frame. In the past week, the euro has increased by 13 pesos, a 1.7% rise compared to seven days ago when it was around 752 CUP. Compared to 30 days ago, it is quoted at 31.5 pesos lower, although this variation should be interpreted cautiously due to possible methodological adjustments in the index. Its range over the last month has fluctuated between 688 CUP and 802 CUP. It surpasses the dollar by 100 pesos, solidifying its dominant position in the parallel market.

The MLC is quoted at around 474 Cuban pesos (CUP), with a buying rate of 439 CUP and a selling rate of 508 CUP. This value should be considered as indicative, as only 11 offers have been recorded within this range. Compared to the previous session, this represents an increase of 25 pesos, equivalent to a rise of 5.6%. However, in the last week, the MLC has dropped by 16.5 pesos compared to seven days ago, when it was at 490 CUP, a decline of 3.4%. In terms of the monthly outlook, it is quoted at 36 pesos above its level from 30 days ago, an increase of 8.2%, although this comparison may be affected by methodological adjustments. Its range over the past month has been from 399 CUP to 543 CUP. Although its circulation is primarily digital, it remains essential for accessing basic goods in the state sector.

Exchange Rate Evolution

Exchange rate of the dollar USD to CUP: 665 CUP.
Exchange rate of the euro EUR to CUP: 765 CUP.
Exchange rate from MLC to CUP: 474 CUP (reference value, limited data).

The official exchange rate set by the Central Bank of Cuba (Segment III), at 592 CUP per dollar and 677 CUP per euro, remains well below the values that prevail in everyday practice in the informal currency market.

Although Segment III was introduced as a more flexible exchange mechanism, its official rate remains far removed from that of the informal market and fails to meet the actual demand for foreign currency among the population. In the last month, the official dollar has risen from 565 to 592 CUP, while in the parallel market it is traded at 665 CUP, a gap of 73 pesos that illustrates the disconnection between the two markets.

The gap between the official and informal exchange rates reflects the ongoing shortage of foreign currency in the state banking system and the high demand for dollars and euros among the population, whether for emigration, importing goods, protecting savings, or making purchases in the private sector.

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 Exchange Rate of CiberCuba is an index of the informal Cuban market, created through the automated analysis of thousands of currency trading postings in Telegram and Facebook groups. The calculation disregards atypical offers and spam messages, weighs each transaction based on its age, and consolidates a representative value that is updated several times a day.