The Soviet occupation of Latvia has meant most of Latvia is bilingual with a large Russian minority. The country has two distinctive languages and cultures. Most of my time in Latvia was spent in the unspoiled countryside with its beautiful lakes and forests. I hope this short summary of Latvia will help you plan your trip.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Latvia is in spring or summer, when there’s usually enough fine weather to enjoy the great outdoors.
Things to do and see
- Birdwatching is very popular among tourist visiting Latvia’s coast, wetlands and farmlands. There is a large population of different bird species.
- Hot Air Balloon ride over the Gauja Valley is a fun way to see castles and historical buildings from high above.
- Riga’s Central Market is One of the best places to explore Latvia’s culture, the market is a great place to sample different Latvian cuisine.
- Tour of the Soviet Occupation of Latvia takes you through the downtown area of Latvia so you can explore the top landmarks and learn about the soviet occupation of Latvia.
Food
Latvia is influenced by food from neighbouring countries, the dishes are mainly meat based with seasonal vegetables, Meat patties are very popular and tasty. Along the coast, fish especially smoked fish is very popular. Many of the ingredients used are seasonal. There are many international restaurants in Riga.
Transportation
Air: There are direct flights from London to Latvia, there is one domestic flight operated by Air Baltic from Riga to Liepaja.
Roads: Urban roads are well maintained; however, some side roads have potholes. Drivers drive on the right-hand side of the road.
Rail: Latvia’s rail service connects Riga to all the major cities and towns.
Taxi: Uber is available in Riga and other major cities, there are also metered taxis throughout Latvia which are privately run.
Ferry: Boat hire is possible in some areas like the Gauja River.
Bus: Coaches connect the whole country. There is also a good network of local buses, trams and trolleybuses operating in all the major cities and towns.
Visa
Visas are not required for all E.U, U.S, Canadian and Australian nationals for stays of up to 90days over a 6month period.
Language
The official language spoken in Latvia is Latvian. Russian, German and English are also widely spoken.
Money
The official currency in Latvia is the euro (EUR) You will find ATMs accepting all major credit and debit cards in all cities and larger towns, but if you are visiting rural areas you should make sure you have enough cash as they may be harder to come by.
Tipping
Tipping is not customary; some restaurants add a service charge to the bill.
Social etiquette
Majority Latvians are Catholic.
Adaptor
There are two plugs associated with Latvia.
Wifi
There are many Internet cafes in the main urban areas most hotels and restaurants provide free wifi.
Ruth’s Lonely Planet 