richl

Don't waste your time converting your money into US Dollars!! You'll only have to change it into Convertible Pesos (CUC) and you'll be charged an extra 10% for the privilege. The US Dollar is not accepted in Cuba - the only currencies that are accepted are the Convertible Peso (CUC) and the Cuban Peso (CUP). Whilst tourists can use either, the CUP is only really used by the locals for essentials. As most tourists in Cuba are "all inclusive", they would find little use for the CUP - unless you go into the "non tourist" areas, you will never see the CUP. Locals can use the Convertible Peso - all non essential items have to be bought in "convertibles" - in fact, Cuban's normally get part of their wages paid in "convertibles" With regard to exchanging money, the Convertible Peso is a "closed currency" and can only be bought in Cuba either from a bank or Cadeca (exchange bureau found in most hotels and airports). There is little, if any difference, between the rates at the Cadeca's at the airport and hotels as they are all state run. Credit cards are accepted, as long as they are not affiliated to any American institutions, and Visa debit cards work in most ATM's, although they are not easy to find. In my experience (travel to Cuba twice a year), the best option is to take Sterling Cash (clean, unmarked notes) - there's not much point in converting into Euros first as you will more than likely lose out slightly on the conversion. You can take travellers cheques, if you can find ones that aren't American Express, but if you lose them, you'll have to wait until you get home to replace them!! Hope this helps

I'm a regular visitor to Cuba so hopefully I can help a bit here. There are two currencies in Cuba but only one that most tourists will come across - the Convertable Peso (CUC). At the moment the exchange rate is about 1.82 CUC to the £. You can exchange your money at the airport or hotel - there isn't much difference in the rates (if any), as it's a socialist country and there is only one exchange rate - the official one. Make sure that any sterling notes that you are changing are unmarked and undamaged. Also, if you change money at the airport (especially Holguin), make sure you check your pesos to the receipt!! As other posters have said, do not take US Dollars - yes, you can change them but the rate is terrible. With regards to credit cards, they are accepted in hotels as long as they are not issued by a bank with any US connections - includes Thomas Cook, Capital 1 etc. Some people say that it is very expensive to use credit cards in Cuba due to the surchages and fees. To be honest, the difference is neglible - all the card transactions are charged in US $ and Sterling is still fairly strong. Hope this was of some use

Just want to clarify a couple of points about Sheffco's posting. I ran the training courses at the Leadmill in conjunction with THB Training from 2004 until I left the company last year. The course led to an EDEXCEL Level 2 Award in Door Supervision which allowed successful candidates to apply for an SIA Door Supervisors Licence - the course did not give the candidates an SIA licence automatically. Certificates were sent out to all successful candidates or their employer, once they had completed both parts of the course, as soon as they were received from EDEXCEL. The current Security Manager at The Leadmill had nothing to do with the training which would explain why he was unsure of what had happened previously. Also, no-one was ever charged anywhere near £250 for the training - the early courses were fully funded and later ones were part funded.

The Cubans do not object to being given old clothes - they really appreciate them, especially if they are "branded", they'll be your friend for life and may offer to take you to meet their family. They are really very friendly people who can't do enough for you - not suprising as tourism is the only real industry in the Cayos. Also, if you can, try and use some basic Spanish - the locals will really appreciate it. If you go into one of the towns beware of the beggars (mainly young kids) - they will follow you around all day if you give them money as they always want more. You'll not see many old American cars in the Cayos - hardly any traffic at all - but you will see them in the mainland towns. With regard to rain, you should find that it is mainly heavy showers.

Went to Cayo Coco last November and really enjoyed it. The Cayos aren't the "real" Cuba (locals aren't allowed onto the island unless they work there) so try and go to the mainland and see somewhere like Moron or Trinidad - it's a different world. The hotels on the Cayos tend to be a bit isolated but there is a "regular" bus services that runs between Cayo Coco and Cayo Guillermo - costs 5 pesos for the day. Try and take some old T shirts for the hotel staff, they love these better than tips. Also, try and talk to the staff - they are very well educated (not unusual to find solicitors working as waiters) and they love getting into conversations with tourists. Don't expect Cuban 4* to be the same as Med 4*, it's not, but the hotels are great, all the same. Be ready for long queues at Cayo Coco airport (try and book the VIP lounge for the return flight - small queues, comfy seats and free bar/snacks - see your rep on arrival, costs about £15 each). ALso, don't let the aiport porters take your luggage, the walk from arrivals to the coaches is about 30 yards!!! Above all, keep an open mind (Cuba is still a third world country) and enjoy yourself, I'm sure you will.

I was the Front of House Manager at The Leadmill for two years (left in September this year) and the Security Manager for three years before that, and have read this thread with interest. There will always be people who think that Door Supervisors ("bouncers") are uneducated thugs who only do the job because of the "rucks". In my experience, nothing could be further from the truth. During my time at The Leadmill, I had staff who were under graduates, post graduates, teachers, PhD's etc (I was an accountant before I moved into the nightclub industry). Most Door Supervisors do the job for extra cash and, yes, the money is fairly good but it is not an unskilled job and the risks are high - how many times do most people look down the barrel of a gun or face someone holding a knife?? The security industry is much better than it used to be, partly down to the compulsory training that Door Supervisors have to do. Admittedly, it could still be better but it is getting there. With regards to The Leadmill's Door Supervisors, they are all employed "in house" so the club management know exactly who they have working for them. In my opinion, this is much better than using agency staff. If you have a complaint with the Leadmill's Door Supervisors, contact the club (James) and they will investigate your complaint. Most door staff are there for your safety - with the licensing regualations, they would be foolish to resort to violence for the sake of it, they would lose their licence and get a criminal conviction.

A brand new sound system was installed in the second room a couple of months ago so you should find that the sound quality is really good now.

The DJ in the main room was Malcolm - one of our residents

Just to clarify. We allow 14 - 18 year olds into gigs, dependant on the expected audience. There are licensing implications when we allow under 18's into gigs, which mean that we have to make special arrangements, in terms of bars. If the ticket say's 18+, we do operate ID checks on customers who look young (as with club nights). Also, there are very few gigs where we clear the venue, although we do often ask customers to move to the main bar whilst equipment is loaded out of the venue.

Apparently the police were out with inspectors from the Security Industry Authority checking that Doorstaff were registered under the new legislation. Rumour has it that a number of Doorstaff were taken off the door on Friday night as they didn't have the correct registration.

Yes, there is an 80's room

Believe or not, the clubs & pubs do not make any money out of toilet attendants - they charge venues for the service!!

Chances are that you will not be allowed to view the CCTV footage. If you don't want to involve the Police, another option is to complain to Licensing General at the Council who will investigate the incident as they are currently responsible for registering Door Supervisors. As RoyJames said, don't tar all Door Supervisors with the same brush - the vast majority are very professional.

If you don't like it - don't go!!!!!

Don't know what night you went on?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!