One Week in Latvia

What You Should Know Before Going On A Latvia Tour

Where is Latvia? 

Latvia is a north-eastern European country that is part of the Baltic region of the continent. It shares its borders with fellow Baltic countries Lithuania, Estonia, and Belarus along with Russia. This part of Europe gets its name from the fact the countries share a border with the Baltic Sea that separates them from Scandinavia. 

What is the weather like? 

Since Latvia is located on the Baltic Sea, it has a cooler climate than other Eastern European countries such as Bosnia. The winters are very cold and much of the country sees a large amount of snow with an average of 82 days a year seeing snow.

In fact, 180 days out of the year Latvia has some type of precipitation whether it is snow or rain. The summers are warmer and a little drier with temperatures usually in the 60s and 70s. 

A thing to note about Latvia is the amount of sunlight you will have. Since Latvia is located closer to the Arctic Circle, the hours of sunlight are determined by the season. During the winter the days are very short and in the summer the sun stays out well past traditional times. 

Best time to visit

Overall considering weather and festivities, summer is the best time to visit Latvia. The days are long and the weather is comfortable. However, summers are fairly short in Latvia. June to August offer warm days and cool nights. Autumn starts early in Latvia which means cooler temperatures and rainier weather. 

If you are looking for a holiday destination or winter vacation, Latvia is still a great place to visit. The rivers and lakes in the country are frozen over and like many European countries, Latvia is bursting at the seams with holiday markets and events. 

Latvia Currency

Latvia is part of the European Union. This means that they use the Euro. There are plenty of ATMs in Latvia and many businesses and restaurants take cards. It is recommended to carry some cash with you for market stands or smaller shops that may only take cash. 

Latvia Language and Common Phrases 

Latvian is spoken in Latvia. The language is closely related to Lithuanian and is considered a Baltic language. Latvian has a few different dialects you may hear around the country depending on where you visit. 

Considering that, there are some useful and common phrases to help you during your guided tour of Latvia: 

• Paldies - Thank you
• Ludzu - Please
• Sveicinati - Hello
• Uz redzesanos - Good bye
• Ja - Yes
• Ne - No
• Taksometrs - Taxi
• Viesnica - Hotel 

Is Latvia Safe

Yes. Latvia is very safe for travelers. The crime rate is low in Latvia, but you should still be aware of your surroundings when visiting tourist areas such as Riga as there have been known to be instances of pickpocketing. 

While you’ll be safe walking around Latvia, driving may be another story. Latvia has some of the worst road safety statistics in Europe. This is primarily due to reckless drivers, drivers not following road rules, the road infrastructure is underdeveloped, and very harsh winters. With some of these road issues, visiting Latvia on a tour can be a great option to minimize your worry on the road.