Latvia Travel Guide for Americans

Buy a SIM card immediately upon arrival at Riga Airport—carriers Bite, Tele2, and LMT all have booths in arrivals. LMT is the most reliable (best 4G coverage outside Riga). A 10GB prepaid plan costs €10-15 and lasts 30 days; top up at any supermarket or their shops. You'll get a Latvian number instantly with no passport required. Data is fast and cheap compared to US roaming costs. Don't bother with eSIMs—physical SIMs work flawlessly and customer service at shops is helpful.

Tipping is not obligatory in Latvia, but rounding up or leaving 5-10% at restaurants is appreciated and increasingly expected at nicer establishments. Taxis don't expect tips but drivers appreciate small change rounded up. Hotel staff and tour guides appreciate €1-2 per person for good service, but it's not required. Supermarket cashiers never expect tips. In traditional Latvian restaurants, locals often don't tip much at all—the wait staff salary is higher than in the US—so 5% is genuinely adequate. Don't feel pressured: service charges are not automatically added to bills.

Latvia is very safe for tourists—crime rates are low, violent crime against visitors is rare, and police are professional. Riga Old Town is monitored by security cameras and foot patrols. The main issues are petty theft on crowded trams during peak hours and pickpocketing at Christmas markets (use money belts and secure bags). Avoid empty streets late at night (not dangerous, just poorly lit). LGBTQ+ travelers should know that Latvia is generally tolerant in Riga and major cities, but the countryside is more conservative—use normal discretion. Russian neighborhoods exist but are safe; locals simply speak Russian instead of Latvian. Women traveling alone report feeling very safe, even at night. Standard urban awareness applies, but Latvia punches well above its safety profile compared to Western Europe.