The official currency is the Lat (LVL), which is divided
into 100 santims. Most hotels and restaurants in Riga accept credit
cards, and most major banks cash travellers cheques, but outside of
the capital credit cards are not widely accepted and credit card
fraud can be a problem at smaller institutions. Foreign currency
can be exchanged at any bank, at money change kiosks and at some
hotels; note that a 4% fee will be charged to exchange US dollars
that are torn or marked in any way. Most banks are closed on
Saturdays and Sundays. ATMs are available in the larger
cities.
Currency Exchange Rates
EUR 1.00 =
rate 1.95
rate 0.98
rate 2.16
rate 2.37
rate 13.58
rate 1.43
rate 2.65
Note: These currency exchange rates are not updated daily and should be used as a guideline only.
Language:
Latvian is the official language, but English,
Lithuanian, Russian and German are also spoken.
Entry requirements for Americans:
United States citizens do not require a visa for a stay of up
to 90 days per half calendar year.
Entry requirements for UK nationals:
Those with passports endorsed British Citizen or British
National (Overseas) do not require a visa for a stay of up to 90
days per half calendar year. Other British passport categories
require a visa.
Entry requirements for Canadians:
Canadians do not require a visa for a stay of up to 90 days per
half a calendar year.
Entry requirements for Australians:
Australians do not require a visa for a stay of up to 90 days
per half a calendar year.
Entry requirements for South African:
South Africans require a visa to enter Latvia, unless they
already have a visa for Estonia or Lithuania. It is recommended,
however, to obtain a visa for Latvia to avoid complications.
Entry requirements for Irish nationals:
Irish citizens do not require a visa for a stay of up to 90
days per half a calendar year.
Entry requirements for New Zeland nationals:
New Zealand citizens do not require a visa for a stay of up to
90 days per half a calendar year.
Passport/Visa Note:Passports must be valid for at least three months
beyond the period of intended stay, unless a member of the EEA. All
passengers must be in possession of a life and health insurance
policy that will cover all health care expenses while in the
country, including the return to country of nationality in case of
a medical emergency or death. Policies are available on arrival at
Riga airport.
Embassy or Consulate in US:
Embassy of Latvia, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 726
8213.
Embassy or Consulate in UK:
Embassy of Latvia, London, United Kingdom: +44 (0)20 7312
0040.
Embassy or Consulate in Canada:
Embassy of Latvia, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 238 6014.
Embassy or Consulate in Australia:
Embassy or Consulate in South Africa:
Honorary Consulate of Latvia, Johannesburg, South Africa: +27
(0)11 505 9100.
US Embassy or Consulate:
United States Embassy, Riga: +371 7036 200.
UK Embassy or Consulate:
British Embassy, Riga: +371 777 4700.
Canadian Embassy or Consulate
Canadian Embassy, Riga: +371 928 7077.
Australian Embassy or Consulate:
Australian Consulate, Riga: +371 722 4251.
South African Embassy or Consulate:
South African Embassy, Helsinki, Finland (also responsible for
Latvia): +358 (0)9 6860 3100.
Health:No health certificates or vaccinations are required to
enter Latvia, but visitors are advised to have an inoculation
against tick-borne encephalitis, which is a problem especially
during the months of March to October, if planning to hike in the
country and forests or stay in rural areas. Rabies is endemic, and
outbreaks of meningitis occur. Medicines are usually
available, but it is best to bring a supply of personal medication.
Health insurance is necessary. A reciprocal agreement with the UK
entitles UK citizens to emergency treatment on the same terms as
Latvian nationals on presentation of a European Health Insurance
Card (EHIC).
TippingTipping is not obligatory in restaurants, but it is
customary to round up the bill to no more than 10% if a service
charge has not been included and the service was good. Carry small
change for tipping taxi drivers. In hotels tip according to the
services provided.
SafetyVisitors should be vigilant in public places and tourist
sites due to the risk of random terrorist attacks that Latvia
shares with the rest of the world. Most visits to Latvia are
trouble-free, but street crime can be a serious problem for
tourists, and there are occasional muggings of foreigners,
particularly if walking alone or at night. Car theft is rife.
Reports indicate that foreigners are being charged ridiculously
expensive prices for drinks in bars in Riga, and visitors are
cautioned against becoming victims by checking on prices before
buying.
Communications: The international dialling code for Latvia is +371.
The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g.
0027 for South Africa). City/area codes are in use; there are three
for Riga: (0)3, (0)28 and (0)29. International Direct Dialling is
available from all public and hotel phones. Public phones use
phone-cards, which can be bought from numerous shops and kiosks.
For local operator assistance dial 116, and for international
operator assistance dial 115. The two local GSM mobile phone
operators use GSM 900 and GSM 1800 networks. Riga has an increasing
number of Internet cafes.
Duty Free:Travellers to Latvia over 17 years and arriving with
goods purchased in the EU for personal use do not have to pay duty
on 800 cigarettes, 400 cigarillos, 200 cigars, 1kg smoking tobacco;
10 litres of spirits with alcohol content higher than 22%, 20
litres of alcohol with alcohol content lower than 22%, 90 litres
wine or 60 litres of sparkling wine, 110 litres of beer, and 110
litres of non-alcoholic beverages. Travellers arriving from non-EU
countries do not have to pay duty on 200 cigarettes, or 100
cigarillos, or 50 cigars, or 250g smoking tobacco; 1 litre of
spirits with alcohol volume higher than 22%, or 2 litres spirits,
aperitifs, liqueur, sparkling or still wines with alcohol volume
less than 22% and 2 litres still wine; perfume up to 50g or 250ml
eau de toilette; other goods for personal use to the value of
EUR175. Prohibited items include narcotics, guns, and fresh food
products.
