Latvia‘s capital city, Riga, is a historic UNESCO World Heritage Site and is considered the center of Art Nouveau (Jugendstil;) architecture in Europe. Set on the Baltic Sea in the beautiful Gulf of Riga, Sigulda is an idyllic town in the Vidzeme region, about 53 kilometers from Riga, with a wealth of natural attractions and scenic wonders in the majestic Gauja National Park. Immerse yourself in the charms of Latvia.
1. Latvia Quick Facts
Language Latvian
Religion Lutheranism, Catholicism, Russian Orthodoxy
Currency EURO (€, EUR)
Visa Free 90 day visa for 60 nationalities, Shengen Area rules apply
Power Plugs 230 V 50 Hz (G Type)
Capital Rīga
ATM ATMs are also readily available, allowing you to withdraw local currency using your credit or debit card.
Use card
Paying in local currency rather than dollars will result in lower fees. You can pay with credit cards from most card companies, including Visa and MasterCard.
APP
Google Maps
Baltic taxi
2. Packing for your trip
Air plain Ticket
Dollar Flight Club has made it easier and cheaper to buy flights to Riga Airport.
SIM card
Airalo is the world’s first eSIM store that solves the pain of high roaming bills by giving you access to 200+ eSIMs (digital SIM cards) globally at affordable prices.
New member one-time use 15% discount coupon
10% discount coupon for multiple use by all members.
Pacsafe Pro safe 800 Luggage Lock
Good protection against snatchers or impulse thieves.
Universal Power Adapter
One of the most essential but most forgotten items in your travel gear? A power adapter!
Travel insurance
Prepare for risky situations Travel insurance can be a big help in the event of an emergency
GoPro HERO11
If you want to capture your own memories of your travels, GoPro is the way to go. It’s small, has great image quality, and is easy to carry around
3. Transportation
Latvia has tram and three types of buses (regular buses, trolleybuses).
Buy a ticket before boarding / € 1.15 for 1 trip, € 10.90 for 10 trips
Buy a card only from the driver after boarding bus € 22,2 per trip
etalons public transportation card
90-minute pass: € 1.5 / 24-hour pass: € 5 / 3-day pass : € 8 / 5-day pass : € 10
Taxis
It is recommended to use cash rather than cards for fare payment. (Some taxis do not accept cards)
Yandex taxi and Bolt are available through the app.
4.Safety
The overall security situation in Latvia is generally good, but there are a number of cases of tourists being pickpocketed in city centers. There are also many able-bodied young people begging, and they may ask for money in a threatening manner.If someone you don’t know approaches you closer than necessary, be vigilant and respond, and be especially careful with your belongings.
It’s a good idea to keep cash in an inside pocket of your clothing as much as possible, and to carry important items such as cash and passports in multiple locations.
Useful phone numbers for tourists
General emergency number: 112
5. Climate
Latvia’s climate is highly variable and unpredictable: even in summer, temperatures are generally not high, and the weather can suddenly turn cold in the morning and evening.
Spring
Spring is considered to start when the temperature rises to the video, which in the south of Latvia starts around 20 March. May is the month with the least rainfall and the most sunshine. However, due to the influence of the Arctic air currents, temperatures can rise gradually and then suddenly drop and become cold.
Summer
starts in mid-June and July and August are the warmest months, with average temperatures between 23°C (73°F) and 25°C (77°F). During high pressure systems, the climate is hot and dry, and temperatures can temporarily reach over 30°C (86°F).
Autumn
Autumn is considered to have begun when the first frosts fall, which starts in early September in northeastern Latvia.
Winter
Average winter temperatures drop to 0°C (32°F), with highs of 41°F (5°C) and lows of 15°F (5°C). The first snow falls in mid-November in northeast Latvia.
6. price
Overall, the cost of living is lower than in the rest of Europe.
Gasoline (1 liter) : € 1.80
McDonald’s Combo Meal : € 6.00
Water (1.5 liters) : €0.69
Milk (1 liter) : € 1.20
7. Travel precautions
In the capital city of Riga, pickpockets of locals are also common in the central market and at the train station, so be careful about losing your belongings in crowded areas. In the Old Town, beggars will follow you around and beg, but there are also beggar zones, so if you turn a corner, someone else will be begging and it can be quite annoying.
8. Etiquette & Service Tip
In Latvia, eye contact and a quick, firm handshake are traditional greetings. Latvians are not likely to smile at strangers, but will warm up to you as you get to know them.
Tip
Tipping is not obligatory as prices are usually inclusive of VAT and other taxes.
Feel free to tip according to your satisfaction with the quality of service.
10. Holidays
The following are the national public holidays for 2024:
1 Jan Mon New Year’s Day
29 Mar Fri Good Friday
1 Apr Mon Easter Monday
1 May Wed Labour Day
4 May Sat Independence Restoration Day
23 Jun Sun Midsummer’s Eve
24 Jun Mon St John’s Day
18 Nov Mon Independence Day
24 Dec Tue Christmas Eve
25 Dec Wed Christmas Day
26 Dec Thu 2nd Day of Christmas
31 Dec Tue New Year’s Eve
2025 National Public Holidays:
Wednesday, 1 January : New Year’s Day
Friday, 18 April : Good Friday
Monday, 21 April : Easter Monday
Thursday, 1 May : Labour Day
Sunday, 4 May : Independence Restoration Day
Monday, 23 June : Midsummer’s Eve
Tuesday, 24 June : St John’s Day
Tuesday, 18 November : Independence Day
Wednesday, 24 December: Christmas Eve
Thursday, 25 December: Christmas Day
Friday, 26 December: 2nd Day of Christmas
Wednesday, 31 December: New Year’s Eve