By 8:00 PM local time in Cuba, the unofficial foreign exchange market closed on Thursday, July 23, 2026, with a slight downturn in the U.S. dollar and stability in the euro.
The MLC (Freely Convertible Currency), meanwhile, experienced a drop compared to the previous session. However, its rate should be considered indicative given the typically low volume of transactions for this currency.
The U.S. dollar ended the day averaging 670 Cuban pesos (CUP), with a buying rate of 665 CUP and a selling rate of 675 CUP.
This marks a decrease of 1 peso from the previous day when it was at 671 CUP. Over the past week, the dollar has risen by 15 pesos from 655 CUP, equating to an increase of 2.3%.
Looking at a 30-day comparison, there is a decline of 25 pesos from the previous 695 CUP, though this may partially reflect methodological adjustments in the index rather than pure market movements.
Euro's Steadfast Position
The euro closed without significant changes from the previous day, holding an average value of 778 CUP, with buying at 770 CUP and selling at 786 CUP.
There was a negligible change of just 0.5 pesos compared to yesterday, reinforcing its stability at the close of this session.
On a weekly basis, however, the European currency has gained 23 pesos from last week's 755 CUP, marking an increase of 3%. Over the past month, the euro has reached a peak of 796 CUP and a low of 688 CUP. It surpasses the dollar by 108 pesos, maintaining its stronghold in Cuba's parallel market.
The MLC's Volatile Standing
The MLC closed with an indicative average value of 473 CUP, buying at 460 CUP and selling at 485 CUP. This rate should be interpreted cautiously, as the closing range registers few data points for this currency.
Compared to the prior session, the MLC dropped by 6.5 pesos, a decline of 1.4%. Yet, from a weekly perspective, it has risen by 27.5 pesos from 445 CUP seven days ago, a growth of 6.2%. Lacking physical form, its use is limited to state-run stores, which restricts its circulation versus cash currencies.
Official and Informal Exchange Rate Disparities
The official exchange rate set by the Central Bank of Cuba (Segment III) remains significantly lower than the rates prevailing in the informal market, standing at 596 CUP per dollar and 680 CUP per euro. This discrepancy highlights the ongoing scarcity of foreign currency in the state banking system and the high demand among Cubans for dollars and euros, driven by needs such as emigration, importing goods, safeguarding savings, or making purchases in the private sector.
In an environment characterized by sustained inflation, low state salaries, and increasing partial dollarization of the economy, each shift in the informal market directly affects local prices and the purchasing power of Cubans.
The CiberCuba Exchange Rate is an index of Cuba's informal market derived from the automated analysis of thousands of currency exchange posts on Telegram and Facebook groups. The calculation filters out atypical offers and spam, weighting each transaction by its recency to provide a representative value updated multiple times daily.
Understanding Cuba's Currency Market Dynamics
What is the current exchange rate for the U.S. dollar to Cuban peso?
As of July 23, 2026, the exchange rate for the U.S. dollar to Cuban peso is 670 CUP.
How does the euro compare to the dollar in Cuba's informal market?
The euro is valued at 778 CUP, surpassing the dollar by 108 pesos in Cuba's informal market.
Why is there a gap between official and informal exchange rates in Cuba?
The gap exists due to the persistent shortage of foreign currency in the state banking system and high demand among Cubans for dollars and euros, influenced by inflation and partial dollarization of the economy.