A young Cuban woman, experienced as a mentor and language instructor, recently shared a video on Instagram chronicling her attempt to live for a month on the island with just $100, avoiding long lines by shopping exclusively in private markets.
The video, narrated in a blend of Spanish and English, is slightly over a minute long and outlines her shopping list. It includes two packages of chicken priced at 3,400 pesos each, fish for 4,200 pesos, a carton of eggs at 4,200 pesos, chickpeas for 1,100 pesos, black beans at 900 pesos, green peas at 1,100 pesos, four pounds of sweet potatoes for 400 pesos, lentils at 1,100 pesos, pork bones for 3,600 pesos, olives at 3,200 pesos, and cheese for 2,200 pesos.
"I'm going to live for a month in Cuba with $100 and no lines, oh my goodness," the young woman announces at the start of the clip, carefully noting each expense to stay within budget.
As her market journey concludes, she acknowledges the challenge's magnitude: "Let me know in the comments if you could live comfortably here in Cuba with just $100. I don't even know what kind of question this is because it's insane."
Her followers were largely skeptical. One of the most striking comments summarized the sentiment succinctly: "Correction: you're going to survive."
Others were more blunt: "In Cuba, you don't live, you survive! I think $100 won't even cover a week's basic groceries"; "With $100, I can't even survive for a week."
One voice in the debate posed a question many avoid: "Alright, the video is fine. But now, a question: how many people in Cuba actually have those $100?"
Another follower added a perspective the video didn't address: "For one person, maybe, if living with restrictions. But when there’s more than one, trust me, it’s not enough. And if you have babies, forget it. The situation is very tough, especially for those relying on a salary in CUP without external help."
Several comments also pointed out that the list omits essential items like cooking oil and charcoal, which are necessary for meal preparation.
This exercise takes on a harsher reality when juxtaposed with current economic data. This past Tuesday, the dollar surpassed 900 pesos in Cuba’s informal market, trading at 905 pesos and marking 14 consecutive days of increases, effectively converting the $100 in the video to about 90,500 pesos.
However, this amount represents more than 12 times the average monthly salary for those who depend on the state. According to the National Office of Statistics and Information, the average state salary was only 7,354 pesos in August 2026, equivalent to roughly eight dollars at the informal exchange rate.
The debate is not new. In October, another Cuban woman documented a purchase of 79,000 pesos with $100, which still didn’t last a full month, and a doctor demonstrated in August how the same amount was exhausted in less than a week for a family.
Understanding the Economic Challenges in Cuba
Is it feasible to live in Cuba for a month with only $100?
Living in Cuba for a month on $100 is extremely challenging due to high prices and the economic situation. While some might manage with severe restrictions, most find it insufficient for even a week.
How does the cost of living in Cuba compare to the average salary?
The cost of living in Cuba far exceeds the average state salary, which was around 7,354 pesos or approximately eight dollars in August 2026, making it difficult for most citizens to afford basic necessities.
What are the challenges faced by Cubans relying on state salaries?
Cubans relying on state salaries face significant challenges due to low wages compared to the high cost of living. Many cannot afford essential goods and depend on external financial help to meet daily needs.