Everything you need to know before touching down in Latvia.
Latvia uses the Euro (€). Cards are accepted almost everywhere, from supermarkets to rural cafes. Apple Pay and Google Pay are widely used. It's good to keep a few euros in coins for small market purchases.
Latvia is part of the Schengen Area. EU/EEA citizens can travel freely. US, Canadian, and UK citizens can visit visa-free for up to 90 days in a 180-day period (ETIAS may apply soon).
The official language is Latvian. English is widely spoken by younger generations and in the hospitality sector in major cities. Russian is also widely understood.
Summer (June-August) offers long days, warm weather, and beach life. Autumn (September-October) is perfect for hiking in Sigulda. Winter brings magical Christmas markets in Riga.