Each winter, several people in Latvia sustain serious injuries from falling icicles. Pay careful attention to sidewalks that are blocked by rope or tape and be cautious of work crews clearing ice and snow from building rooftops.
Harassment of foreigners, ethnic minorities, and homosexuals has also occurred in Latvia.
The most common crimes encountered by foreign tourists are purse snatching, pick pocketing, and mugging, especially during the summer tourism season.
Safety in Latvia What do other Racers need to know in order to be safe? Current safety protocols/precautions in place? Any relevant issues/concerns? Any precautionary suggestions?
Don’t go to the Infectious Ward Center unless you think you have malaria. Also when you do go for a possible case of maleria be prepared to stay at the hospital for 1-3 days. (Time may vary depending on if the “doctor” is there.)
Visa Info in Latvia Do you need one? Where did you get it? Cost? Resources/sources:
People’s Opinions
Currency Info
Lat; Riga Airport, Bank of Latvia, lots of ATMs around
Currency Info in Latvia Name of currency? Where can you exchange money?
People’s Opinions
It’s actually the Euro currently. No longer the lat. You can get ATM’s everywhere. The Euro is way better than the dollar fyi.
Communication
Communication in Latvia Did you have cell reception / Internet service? Where? Carrier / Provider, where did you get phones / SIM cards, cost? Country code?
People’s Opinions
Tele 2;put the SIM-card into the phoneturn the phone onenter PIN 1 code (from the card)„Tele2†appears on the screenSIM-card activates with first outgoing call, call length must be at least 10 seconds. With first outgoing call please choose „network languageâ€after 10 minutes your new SIM-card is ready to accept incoming calls and SMS’s.Cell reception all over the country, internet service at Adventistu Baznica in Liepaja and can be found at local restaurants.The country code is: 371
Transportation
How did you get to Latvia….
International Travel
From Estonia:
From Romania:
From Ukraine:
From Moldova:
etc
City bus, long distance bus, Pastor’s car, walked; It costs .40-.50 Lat to ride the tram in the city.
Transportation in Latvia What transportation did you use to enter the country? Where were you coming from? What transportation was used to move throughout the country? Be sure to include the cost per person in USD and contact info if applicable.
People’s Opinions
BUS all the way while within the country! Even if you are stationed there and have to go to Lithuania or Estonia, heck we went to poland on a couple of days off via bus.Highly suggest using ECOlines. They have free wifi on the bus, along with mini tv’s at times, and hot chocolate dispensers. They are the company our squad used the most. Reasonably priced.
Latvians tend to be polite, formal, and reserved during initial meetings.
Periods of silence are to be expected during conversations and it’s best to avoid interrupting someone while they are speaking.
It is best to convey a sense of calm and avoid overly loud voices and displays of emotion like anger or frustration in public. It’s best not to take it personally if people are reserved in the beginning; they usually warm up after time.
Latvians tend to value their personal space. The appropriate amount of personal space tends to be an arm’s length or more with strangers and usually a bit less with friends and family.
There tends to very little to no touching during conversations.
The younger generation tends to be more open and a brush of shoulder/hand is okay. It is common to see women/girls walk hand in hand on the street. This is also common for young couples.
Pointing with a single finger is considered rude. It’s best to use the whole hand.
Culture in Latvia Anything Racers need to be aware/respectful of? Suggestions/Recommendations?
Shipping / Mailing in Latvia Company used and contact info? How did you get packages to them?
Tips
People’s Opinions
Use discretion when taking clothing to a laundry mat. Some of our team sent their clothes to a cleaners and had to pay $8 (USD) a person. (They had originally been told a lower price.) Some of their clothes also came back shrunk. It would probably be best to do laundry where your contact suggests and not to try to find a place on your own.
Additional Info
Emergency Contact Numbers Ambulance – 113 Fire – 112 Police – 112 US Embassy Information Embassy of the United States of America 1 Samnera Velsa St. Riga, LV-1510 Latvia The U.S. Embassy is located across from the shopping mall SPICE between Kalnciema and Lielirbes street. Entrance to the Consular Section is on S.Velsa (formerly Remtes) street. City buses Nr. 53, 22, 32, and 43, as well as minibuses Nr. 236 and 242 have stops within a walking distance from the embassy. Canadian Embassy Information 20/22 Baznicas Street 6th floor Riga, LV-1010 Latvia Tel.: (+371) 6781-3945 Fax: (+371) 6781-3960 Email:riga@international.gc.ca British Embassy Information 5, J. Alunana Street Riga LV-1010 Tel.: (+371) 6777 4700 Fax: (+370) 6777 4707
Additional Info in Albania Anything we’ve left out? Any additional suggestions to make travel easier for others?