This Friday, October 16th, Cuba's informal currency market sees a rise in both the U.S. dollar and the euro, with the dollar experiencing a slight uptick and the euro nearing its recent highs.
The Cuban peso continues to lose ground against these major currencies, while the Freely Convertible Currency (MLC) presents a cautionary indicative value due to the limited volume of transactions supporting it.
Current Exchange Rates Overview
U.S. Dollar to Cuban Peso (CUP): 798 CUP.
Euro to Cuban Peso (CUP): 895 CUP.
MLC to Cuban Peso (CUP): 623 CUP (indicative value, limited data).
Dollar Holds Steady at High Levels
As of 10:00 a.m. local time in Cuba, the U.S. dollar is trading at 798 Cuban pesos in the informal market, with a buying rate of 795 CUP and a selling rate of 800 CUP. This marks a modest increase of just one peso from the previous day, when the average value was 797 CUP, indicating some stability at the start of this Friday.
On a weekly and monthly basis, however, a clearer trend emerges: seven days ago, the dollar was exchanged at 775 CUP, reflecting an increase of 23 pesos over the past week, equating to a 2.9% rise. Over the last 30 days, the exchange rate has climbed from 698 CUP to the current 798, a 100-peso (14.3%) increase, although this comparison may partly reflect methodological adjustments in the index rather than purely market movements.
Today's rate also matches the highest level recorded in the past 30 days, placing the dollar at its peak for the period.
Euro Nears Its 30-Day High
The euro opens this Friday at 895 Cuban pesos, with a buying range of 890 CUP and a selling range of 900 CUP. Compared to the previous day, when it stood at 892 CUP, it has risen by three pesos, a 0.3% increase that positions it exactly at the highest point recorded in the last 30 days.
On a weekly scale, the euro has gained 25.5 pesos from 870 CUP a week ago, a 2.9% increase. The monthly comparison shows a rise from 795 CUP 30 days ago to the current 895, a jump of 100 pesos, although part of this variation may be due to methodological adjustments in the index as well.
The euro surpasses the dollar by 97 pesos, solidifying its dominant position in Cuba's parallel market.
MLC's Indicative Value Shows Decline
The MLC is traded at an indicative rate of around 623 Cuban pesos, with a buying rate of 500 CUP and a selling rate of 745 CUP. This value should be approached with caution: the source notes that the volume of transactions in this range is limited, making the data not fully representative of the market.
Compared to the previous session, when the average value was 636 CUP, the MLC has decreased by 13.5 pesos, a 2.1% decline. However, over the past week, it has increased by 43 pesos from 580 CUP seven days ago (+7.4%).
Growing Gap with Official Exchange Rates
The official exchange rate from the Central Bank of Cuba (Segment III), set on October 16th at 716 CUP per dollar and 803 CUP per euro, remains significantly below the rates prevailing in the everyday informal currency market.
The disparity between the official and informal prices reaches 82 pesos for the dollar and 92 pesos for the euro. Although Segment III was introduced as a more flexible exchange mechanism, its official rate continues to lag far behind the informal market and fails to meet the real demand for foreign currency among the population.
Over the last month, the official dollar rate has risen from 662 to 716 CUP, and the euro from 764 to 803 CUP, yet the parallel market has advanced at a significantly faster pace.
Currency Conversion from USD and EUR to CUP
Based on the exchange rates for this Friday, October 16, 2026:
U.S. Dollar (USD) to Cuban Peso (CUP):
1 USD = 798 CUP.
5 USD = 3,990 CUP.
10 USD = 7,980 CUP.
20 USD = 15,960 CUP.
50 USD = 39,900 CUP.
100 USD = 79,800 CUP.
Euro (EUR) to Cuban Peso (CUP):
1 EUR = 895 CUP.
5 EUR = 4,475 CUP.
10 EUR = 8,950 CUP.
20 EUR = 17,900 CUP.
50 EUR = 44,750 CUP.
100 EUR = 89,500 CUP.
Exchange Rate Calculation Methodology
The CiberCuba Exchange Rate is an index of the Cuban informal market developed through the automated analysis of thousands of buy and sell currency posts on Telegram and Facebook groups. The calculation excludes atypical offers and spam messages, weighs each transaction according to its age, and consolidates a representative value that is updated multiple times a day.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cuba's Currency Exchange
What is the current exchange rate for the U.S. dollar in Cuba's informal market?
As of October 16, the U.S. dollar is trading at 798 Cuban pesos in the informal market.
How does the euro compare to the dollar in Cuba's parallel market?
The euro is currently stronger, trading at 895 Cuban pesos, surpassing the dollar by 97 pesos in the parallel market.
Why should the MLC's indicative value be approached with caution?
The MLC's indicative value should be viewed cautiously due to the limited volume of transactions, which may not fully represent the market.
What is the official exchange rate set by the Central Bank of Cuba?
On October 16, the official rate is set at 716 CUP per dollar and 803 CUP per euro, significantly below the informal market rates.