Skyrocketing Prices and Spelling Errors: A Glimpse into Cuba's Harsh Reality

A menu board placed on the sidewalk in front of a food establishment in Cuba has gone viral on social media for two compelling reasons: the exorbitant prices in Cuban pesos and the appalling spelling errors that unintentionally portray the nation's reality in 2026.

The image, shared by the Facebook page “EL CARTEL DEL MINUTO oficial,” lists items phonetically spelled in the local Cuban dialect: “AMBURGUEZA” (hamburger) at 620 pesos, “POYO ENTERO” (whole chicken) at 4,000 pesos, “PECHUGA 2K” at 4,800 pesos, “BAYONESA” (mayonnaise) at 1,600 pesos, “KESO CREMA” (cream cheese) at 1,300 pesos, and “ZALDINA” (sardine) at 730 pesos, among others.

Additionally, the board shows “CROQUETA D' JAMON” at 1,200 pesos, “IGADO” (liver) at 800 pesos, “PAPAS PREFRITA” (pre-fried potatoes) at 1,800 pesos, “SOPITA” (soup) at 180 pesos, “PERRITO” (hot dog) at 350 pesos, and “GELATINA” (gelatin) at 240 pesos.

Eye-Watering Prices Reflect Economic Hardship

Beyond the spelling errors, the prices tell a much grimmer story. According to data from Cuba's National Office of Statistics and Information, the average official monthly salary in Cuba is around 6,930 pesos as of April 2026.

This means that buying a single two-kilogram chicken breast—priced at 4,800 pesos—consumes nearly 70% of a state worker's entire monthly wage. A whole chicken at 4,000 pesos costs more than half of that same salary.

The Struggle to Make Ends Meet

The situation is even more dire considering that independent economists estimate the minimum cost of living per person exceeds 50,000 pesos monthly, a figure more than 15 times the average salary.

The official minimum wage, which has been frozen at 2,100 pesos since January 2021, doesn't even cover the cost of the whole chicken listed on that board.

Currency Devaluation Exacerbates Inflation

The Cuban peso has also suffered a depreciation of almost 48% in just one year, dropping from 345 pesos per dollar in March 2025 to over 515 pesos by May 2026, further eroding the purchasing power of those paid in the national currency.

Prices on the sign align with those found in Havana's markets. By December 2025, chicken breasts were already priced between 4,500 and 5,100 pesos for a two-kilogram package, and prices have only continued to rise.

One Cuban woman reported spending 25,000 pesos weekly on food for her family, while dining at one of Havana's more affordable restaurants costs 13,000 pesos for two people, nearly equivalent to two average salaries.

The viral menu board, with its blend of creative spelling and unattainable prices, becomes an unintentional yet poignant depiction of surviving in Cuba in 2026: where spelling "poyo" instead of "pollo" might bring a smile, but affording it has become a privilege beyond the reach of most.