Latvia is the 'middle' Baltic state. Along with neighbouring Estonia and Lithuania the country has attracted a fair number of tourists since the fall of Soviet 'communism' in the 1990's. They visit to experience the unique culture of these countries once hidden behind the Iron Curtain. Latvia is marked, for better and for worse, by years of Soviet domination, but it is unquestionably an interesting travel destination, both historically and culturally.
Find your travel arrangement to Latvia here
Region and City Guides
City:
Facts
Local name
Latvijas Republika
Capital
Riga (850,000)
Size
64,589 sq. km
Principal Languages
Latvian
Principal Religion
Protestant and Roman Catholic
Inhabitants
2,600,000
Government
Republic
Geography
Latvia is a flat country with large areas of grasslands. The country is intersected by seventeen rivers and also boasts many lakes.
Travel preparation
Best time to visit
Latvia benefits from warm summers and cold winters. The snow starts around October and snowdrifts are not an uncommon sight as late as May. In the summertime, however, it can get very hot. You can visit Latvia any time of the year, but the real high season is from May to October.
Literature
Scandinavian and Baltic Europe on a Shoestring
Lonely Planet Estonia, Latvia & Lithuania
Lonely Planet Estonia, Latvia & Lithuania
Local conditions
Weight and Measures
Latvia uses the metric system.
Photography
If you avoid taking pictures of public buildings and exhibit general courtesy by asking people's permission before photographing them you shouldn't have any problems.
Drinking water
Don't use Latvian tap water for drinking or for brushing your teeth.
Electricity
220 Volts AC/50Hz
Business Hours
Banks are open from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm Monday to Friday, and some banks open for business again for a few hours in the afternoon as well.
Shops are open from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm Monday to Friday and from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm Saturdays. Some shops will close for lunch.
Offices are open from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm and again from 2.00 pm to 6:00 pm Monday to Friday. Government offices are open from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm
Shops are open from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm Monday to Friday and from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm Saturdays. Some shops will close for lunch.
Offices are open from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm and again from 2.00 pm to 6:00 pm Monday to Friday. Government offices are open from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm
Food and drink
The menus in Latvian restaurants are mainly inspired by Russian and Slavic cuisine, so varieties of flesh dishes are the dominant fare. In the drink department there is local Latvian vodka, local bitters, and the country's excellent beer.
Holidays
New Year's Day: January 1
Labour Day: May 1
Midsummer: June 23 and 24
Independence Day: November 18
Christmas: December 25 and 26
Labour Day: May 1
Midsummer: June 23 and 24
Independence Day: November 18
Christmas: December 25 and 26
Accommodation / Hotel
Like the other Baltic countries, Latvia has really 'pulled itself up by the bootstraps' since the fall of Soviet 'communism'. Most of the hotels and camping grounds are up to European standards, but there are still establishments of very poor quality.
Book your Hotel in Latvia here
Book your Hotel in Latvia here
Camping
There are a number of camping grounds in Latvia of varying standards. In fact, some of them are just that: a piece of bare ground! Most of the camping is situated near the main roads, and especially the area around Jurmala has quite a few grounds.
After the fall of Communism the Latvians have worked hard to bring the hotels up to Western standards - and with some success, it must be said. The invasion of the international Hotel chains has been particularly inspirational. You still run into the odd ultra low quality Hotel, but then the price will be accordingly low.
Other Accommodation
It is also possible to stay on a Latvian farm; information is available from the national tourist office.
Local transport
Getting around in Latvia is easy, but not always very comfortable. In general, the roads are in reasonable shape, but rough surfaces and pot-holes are still common. The main roads have twenty-four hour service stations, but as the Latvians themselves are very keen cyclists, going by bike may be another option worth exploring. Together, buses and trains cover almost all of the country. The trains link the major cities, and the buses take care of the small towns.
Planes
Latvia's main international airport is at Jurmala near Riga and easily accessible from the capital. Latvia also has a number of smaller airports that cater to domestic air travel.
Bus
The preferred form of transport for the average Latvian is the country's extensive network of buses. You will come across everything from the country mail-bus to luxurious express liners.
Trains
The Latvian railway lines connect most major cities, but if you're going out in the country, you should probably opt for the bus, even though there are some small regional rail lines in operation.
Taxi
A number of private taxi companies operate in the Latvian cities. They're usually cheap, but drivers charge extra at night.
car rental
You can rent both cars and chauffeurs in Latvia through your Hotel or directly from a rental company. The Latvian road system is generally not bad, but many small roads are unpaved, and you will come across the occasional hole in the road.
Special conditions
Latvian Office of Tourism
4 Pils sq.
Riga
LV-1050
Telefon: +371-7-229945
Fax: +371-7-229945
E-mail: ltboard@latnet.lv
4 Pils sq.
Riga
LV-1050
Telefon: +371-7-229945
Fax: +371-7-229945
E-mail: ltboard@latnet.lv
