Cuba Official Exchange Rate (2026): Tasa Oficial Today
The current Cuba official exchange rate, the new floating rate, and how it compares to the real informal-market rate Cubans use every day.
1. Quick Answer
Key Takeaways
- The Cuba official exchange rate is set by the Banco Central de Cuba (BCC).
- In December 2025, Cuba launched a floating official rate for households and the private sector.
- That rate has climbed fast. It passed 500 CUP per US dollar in February 2026 and sits near 507 CUP in mid-2026.
- Two older fixed rates still exist for state firms: 24 CUP and 120 CUP per dollar.
- The informal (street) rate is higher still — around 570 CUP per dollar. Most Cubans use that rate, tracked by elTOQUE.
Cuba does not have one single exchange rate. It runs several rates at once. This guide explains each one in plain terms. It also shows the gap between the official rate and the real rate people pay.
2. What Is the Cuba Official Exchange Rate?
The Cuba official exchange rate is the price the government sets for foreign money. The Banco Central de Cuba (BCC) publishes it each business day. It covers the US dollar, the euro, and other currencies.
For years, the official rate was fixed and far too strong. It said one dollar cost only 24 Cuban pesos (CUP). Almost no one could buy dollars at that price.
That gap created a large black market. So in late 2025, the BCC changed course. It began letting an official rate move with supply and demand. This is the new floating rate explained below.
3. Cuba’s Multiple Official Exchange Rates
The BCC publishes more than one official rate. Each one applies to a different group. Here is how the system works in 2026.
| Rate (segment) | Approx. CUP per US$1 | Who uses it |
|---|---|---|
| Legacy official (tasa oficial) | 24 | Core state and strategic transactions only. |
| Fixed state rate | 120 | Other designated state-sector operations. |
| Floating official rate (tasa especial) | 514 | Households, private business, and the public market window. |
| Informal market (elTOQUE TRMI) | 580 | Street trades, remittances, and most private deals. |
The last row is not an official rate. We include it so you can see the full picture. The spread between the floating official rate and the informal rate is the number analysts watch most.
4. The Floating Rate and the “507 CUP” Figure
Cuba launched its floating official rate on December 18, 2025. It opened near 410 CUP per dollar. The move was one of the largest single devaluations in the world that year.
The rate kept rising in 2026. It crossed 500 CUP per dollar in February 2026. By late May 2026, the official rate reached about 507 CUP per dollar and roughly 590 CUP per euro.
The BCC says it only sells the foreign currency it actually buys. It does not inject state dollars to hold the rate down. That is why the rate keeps drifting toward the street price. You can read our briefing on the 507 CUP special rate for the full background.
5. Cuba Official Rate vs. the Informal Rate
The official rate and the informal rate are not the same. The difference matters for travelers, families, and businesses.
| Feature | Official rate (BCC) | Informal rate (elTOQUE) |
|---|---|---|
| Set by | The central bank | Supply and demand on the street |
| USD rate (mid-2026) | ~514 CUP | ~580 CUP |
| Where you get it | Public bank windows (CADECA), some apps | Private trades, classifieds, messaging apps |
| Who relies on it | State firms and formal channels | Most ordinary Cubans |
The informal rate tracker from elTOQUE is the most-watched reference on the island. The Cuban government disputes its method. Even so, traders, families, and economists treat it as the real price.
Want today’s number with a built-in converter? Use our live Cuban peso to USD exchange rate tool.
6. How to Exchange Money in Cuba
The rate you get depends on where you change money. Plan ahead to avoid losses.
Bring cash, not US cards
US-issued credit and debit cards do not work in Cuba. This is due to the US embargo. Bring clean, undamaged US dollar or euro cash for your whole trip.
Where to change money
- Bank or CADECA windows: the legal, official channel. The rate is the public official rate.
- Hotels: easy but often a weaker rate. Check before you sign.
- Informal trades: common, but carry legal and safety risk. Know the elTOQUE rate first.
For broader trip planning, money rules, and safety, see our Cuba travel hub and our guide on whether Cuba is safe to visit.
7. What the Official Exchange Rate Means for Investors
Currency risk is the biggest operational risk in Cuba. The wide gap between the official rate and the informal rate hurts returns. It makes profit repatriation hard and unpredictable.
Foreign investors must register transfers with the BCC. They convert at the official framework, but real costs often reflect the wider street spread. Model this gap into every deal.
To understand the wider economy behind the peso, read our Cuba economy explainer. If you are weighing a project, start with our invest in Cuba hub. Always screen partners with the Cuba Restricted List checker.
8. Tasa de Cambio Oficial de Cuba (Resumen)
En español
La tasa de cambio oficial de Cuba la fija el Banco Central de Cuba (BCC). En diciembre de 2025, Cuba estrenó una tasa oficial flotante para la población y el sector privado.
Esa tasa subió rápido. Superó los 500 CUP por dólar en febrero de 2026 y ronda los 507 CUP a mediados de 2026. Siguen vigentes dos tasas fijas para el Estado: 24 y 120 CUP por dólar.
La tasa informal del mercado es aún mayor, cerca de 570 CUP por dólar. Consulta la tasa del día en nuestra herramienta de cambio CUP/USD.
9. Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Cuba official exchange rate today?
Cuba's main official exchange rate in 2026 is the floating rate set by the Banco Central de Cuba (BCC). As of late May 2026 it is about 507 Cuban pesos (CUP) per US dollar and roughly 590 CUP per euro. The BCC launched this floating rate on December 18, 2025, and it has risen steadily since.
Why does Cuba have more than one official exchange rate?
Cuba runs a multiple-rate system. Two older fixed rates still apply to state firms: 24 CUP per dollar for core state operations and 120 CUP for other state uses. The newer floating rate (near 507 CUP) applies to households and the private sector. The informal street rate is higher still, around 570 CUP per dollar.
What is the 507 CUP exchange rate?
507 CUP is the approximate value of Cuba's floating official rate in mid-2026. It opened near 410 CUP per dollar in December 2025, crossed 500 CUP in February 2026, and reached about 507 CUP by late May. The BCC only sells the foreign currency it actually buys, so the rate keeps drifting toward the informal market price.
Is the official rate the same as the informal rate?
No. The official rate is set by the central bank. The informal (street) rate is set by supply and demand and tracked by elTOQUE's TRMI index. In mid-2026 the informal US dollar rate is around 570 CUP, higher than the official rate. Most ordinary Cubans transact at the informal rate.
Where can travelers get the official exchange rate in Cuba?
Travelers can exchange money at bank and CADECA windows, which use the public official rate. Hotels also exchange money but often at a weaker rate. US-issued cards do not work in Cuba, so bring clean US dollar or euro cash and check the current rate before you exchange.
10. Sources
- Tasas de cambio — Banco Central de Cuba (official daily rates)
- Tasas de cambio en Cuba — elTOQUE TRMI (informal-market index)
- Reuters Americas — coverage of Cuba’s currency reform
- Cuban Insights briefing — Cuba’s central bank sets special exchange rate at 507 CUP
Related Tools & Resources
Track Cuba's exchange rate and economy
Get alerts when the official rate, the informal rate, or Cuba's currency policy shifts.