How far can $100 stretch in Cuba? A Cuban woman decided to shed light on this by showcasing her shopping haul on TikTok, detailing each item she was able to purchase in Mariel with money sent from a follower abroad.
The central figure, Yodaisy Álvarez, shared a video on her TikTok account on October 17, where she displayed her purchases made with 79,000 Cuban pesos. She explained that this amount came from exchanging the $100 she received.
With the items laid out before the camera, Yodaisy meticulously listed the cost of each, illustrating the challenges Cubans face to stock their homes. “Here are twenty pounds of chicken, costing eighteen thousand pesos; a pack of fish that was three thousand pesos; five pounds of loin for ten thousand pesos,” she detailed while highlighting the groceries.
The shopping spree didn’t end there. She managed to buy three bottles of oil, two packs of sausages, five pounds of ground meat, red beans, lentils, chickpeas, spaghetti, sandwich spread, mayonnaise, tomato puree, and condensed milk.
Adding to the list were black beans at 500 pesos per pound, a bunch of bananas for 500 pesos, two pineapples at 500 pesos each, five pounds of yucca at 140 pesos per pound, and 20 pounds of rice at 350 pesos each, totaling 7,000 pesos just for the rice.
The price of sugar was particularly striking to her. “Sugar cost me a lot... five pounds of sugar at four hundred ninety pesos each,” she remarked.
Additionally, she showcased a packet of shredded cheese priced at 3,000 pesos and a carton of eggs for which she paid another 3,600 pesos.
“This is what we managed to buy with seventy-nine thousand pesos equivalent to one hundred dollars,” Yodaisy summarized after displaying all the products.
The amount spent is especially notable when compared to Cuban workers’ incomes. Official data from August 2026 indicates that the average monthly state salary was 7,354 pesos, making the 79,000 pesos spent on this shopping trip more than ten average monthly salaries.
Moreover, the informal market exchange rate of the dollar continues to fluctuate. On the same day Yodaisy posted her video, October 17, the U.S. dollar surpassed the 800 pesos Cuban barrier for the first time.
As of Monday, October 26, the dollar was approximately 840 pesos in the informal market, based on rates reported by CiberCuba. At this rate, $100 would translate to about 84,000 pesos.
The disparity is also evident in the cost of living. An estimate released in June 2026 calculated that a person needed around 96,060 pesos monthly to meet basic needs, a figure exceeding what Yodaisy spent on her entire shopping spree.
Beyond the prices, Yodaisy expressed heartfelt gratitude to the person who made it possible for her to purchase all these foods.
“To the follower who did this kind gesture, thank you so much, may life repay you in blessings for all the good you do,” Yodaisy expressed, appreciating the assistance she received.
Cuban Economy and Cost of Living: Key Questions
What is the average monthly salary in Cuba?
As of August 2026, the average monthly state salary in Cuba was recorded at 7,354 pesos.
How has the informal exchange rate of the U.S. dollar changed in Cuba?
On October 17, the U.S. dollar exceeded 800 pesos Cuban in the informal market for the first time. By October 26, it was approximately 840 pesos.
What are the basic monthly living expenses estimated in Cuba?
An estimate from June 2026 suggested that around 96,060 pesos are needed monthly to cover basic living expenses in Cuba.