Latvia
Travel tips for Latvia: safety advisories, currency and cash vs. card, tap water, plugs, local phrases, food, and advice from travelers.
Cash and cards
Cards work almost everywhere. Recent 2025-2026 Reddit reports confirm that contactless payments are near-universal across Latvia, allowing visitors to easily go completely cashless since cards and mobile pay are accepted for transit, taxis, and even by small market vendors.
Try the food
- Grey peas with bacon (Pelēkie zirņi ar speķi): A hearty, savory dish of large boiled grey peas mixed with fried onions and diced smoked bacon.
- Cold beet soup (Aukstā zupa): A vibrant pink, refreshing summer soup made from kefir, pickled beets, cucumbers, hard-boiled eggs, and fresh dill.
- Rye bread dessert (Rupjmaizes kārtojums): A sweet, layered treat consisting of sweetened dark rye breadcrumbs, tart cranberry jam, and whipped cream.
Say it in Latvian
- Hello: Sveiki
- Thank you: Paldies
- Please: Lūdzu
- Excuse me: Atvainojiet
- How much is this?: Cik tas maksā?
- The bill, please: Rēķinu, lūdzu
- Yes / No: Jā / Nē
- Goodbye: Uz redzēšanos
Essentials
- Voltage
- 230V, 50Hz
- Driving
- Right side
- SIM tip
- Pick up a prepaid LMT or Tele2 SIM card at any Narvesen convenience store or at Riga International Airport for affordable and fast data coverage.
Etiquette
Tipping around 10% in restaurants is customary and appreciated; it is best to hand the cash directly to your server rather than leaving it on the table.