This week, a Cuban blogger captured the stark contrast between the sky-high prices in boutiques and the reality of Cuban purchasing power in an Instagram reel that quickly garnered over 55,000 views within a day.
After receiving $40 from a follower—equivalent to 20,000 Cuban pesos on the informal exchange rate—Emanuel González Mora set out with his mother to shop for new clothes. Their first stop was a high-end boutique in his city, where the prices left him speechless.
“Check out this sweater: 16,500 pesos. But hold on, here’s the grand finale: these pants cost 34,000 pesos,” González Mora exclaimed to the camera.
To put that into perspective, González Mora made a striking comparison: “A doctor in this country would need to work for months without eating, sleeping, or spending a single peso to afford just this piece of fabric.”
His point was not an exaggeration. According to the National Office of Statistics and Information, the average state salary in Cuba in 2025 was 6,930 pesos per month, equivalent to between $13 and $15 on the informal exchange. A newly graduated doctor earns a mere 5,060 pesos monthly, meaning those pants could cost between four to six full months of a healthcare professional's salary.
This past Saturday, the dollar hit a record high of 546 Cuban pesos, as reported by elTOQUE, which translates to those pants being around $62 at the informal rate.
“Walking around here is a huge reality check. Where does this end?” the blogger pondered before leaving the boutique empty-handed.
Refusing to give up, González Mora turned to second-hand markets, where Cubans find solutions that the system fails to provide. “Here, you don’t come looking for brands or luxury. You come to win the battle,” he explained.
At these markets, he was able to purchase three sweaters for 2,000 pesos each and three pairs of shorts for 3,000 pesos each, even buying clothes for his grandmother. The total expenditure was approximately 19,600 pesos.
However, the video concluded on a bittersweet note. He was unable to buy anything for his mother. “It broke my heart not to be able to get anything for my mom this time. The prices are outrageous, and the money doesn’t stretch as far as the love I have for her,” he confessed.
This is not the first time clothing prices in Cuba have sparked outrage on social media. In August 2025, a Cuban woman showcased Guess sneakers priced at 31,200 pesos and outfits at 15,600 pesos at a boutique. In July of the same year, another Cuban documented shoes ranging from 12,000 to 25,000 pesos in island shops.
The broader context is even more alarming: the Food Monitor Program estimated in April 2026 that two adults in Havana need at least 41,735 pesos monthly just to cover basic food needs, more than six times the average salary. Dressing up, under these circumstances, is a luxury beyond the reach of most Cubans. “It’s not branded, but what can we do? It’s what we have,” summed up González Mora.
Understanding Cuba's Economic Challenges
Why are clothing prices in Cuba so high?
Clothing prices in Cuba are high due to a combination of factors including economic sanctions, limited domestic production, and reliance on imports, which are subject to high tariffs and scarcity.
How do Cubans manage to afford clothing?
Cubans often turn to second-hand markets and creative alternatives to make ends meet, as brand-new clothing in boutiques is typically unaffordable for the average citizen.
What is the role of the informal exchange rate in Cuba?
The informal exchange rate provides a more realistic conversion for foreign currencies compared to the official rate, affecting the affordability and pricing of goods like clothing.