Latvia

Latvia is a stable democracy and has one of the fastest growing economies in the European Union.  On January 1, 2014, Latvia joined the euro zone.  Most goods and services can be found in the capital city of Latvia, Riga.  However, in other areas outside of the capital, many western goods and services cannot be located.  Read the Department of State’s Fact Sheet on Latvia for additional information on U.S. - Latvian relations. 

Transportation

TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: While in Latvia, you may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. Foreign visitors to Latvia planning to operate a motor vehicle are required to obtain an International Driving Permit.  You may get these through the American Automobile Association (AAA) of the American Automobile Touring Alliance for a small fee.  Your U.S. state driver’s license is not sufficient for driving in Latvia.  These requirements apply if you are using rental cars as well, whether or not the rental company chooses to enforce the requirement as a condition of rental.  If you drive without an International Driving Permit, you may have your vehicle confiscated by the police.  U.S. citizens resident in Latvia for more than six months are required to apply for a Latvian driver’s license.  Upon receipt of a Latvian driver’s license, U.S. citizens are required to surrender their U.S. driver’s license to the Latvian authorities.  The license is then returned to their respective states of issuance.

Latvia’s rate of automobile accidents and fatalities is one of the highest in Europe.  You should be alert for pedestrians and slow-moving vehicles in traffic.  Additionally, violation of traffic rules is common, and it is not unusual to be passed by another automobile traveling at high speeds, even in crowded urban areas.  In Latvia, it is required by law to yield to pedestrians at marked intersections.  However, many drivers fail to do so.  Be alert to approaching vehicles when crossing the street.  During winter, most major roads are cleared of snow; however, you should be alert to fog, snow, and ice while driving.

Driving while intoxicated is a very serious offense and carries heavy penalties.  Local authorities use roadblocks and breathalyzer tests as an enforcement tools.  Be alert to the possibility of drunk drivers and drunken pedestrians wandering on the road.  You must use headlights at all times, and note that there can be as little as six hours of daylight during the winter months. Speed limits are usually 50 km/hr in the city and 90 km/hr on the highways.  Currently there are several mobile speed cameras deployed throughout the country.  Public transportation is generally considered safe, but travelers are encouraged to select well-marked taxis.  Emergency services are fair but improving (See section on Medical Facilities above); response time may be especially slow in traffic or in rural settings.  Dial 112 for police assistance, or 113 for ambulance service.     

Please refer to our Road Safety page for more information.  Also, we suggest that you visit Latvia’s national tourist office website  and national authority responsible for road safety Latvian Road and Traffic Safety website.

AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: As there is no direct commercial air service to the United States by carriers registered in Latvia, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed the government of Latvia’s Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards.  Further information may be found on the FAA’s safety assessment page.

Safety and Security

Civil unrest is generally not a problem in Riga, and there have been no incidents of terrorism directed toward U.S. interests.  Incidents of anti-Americanism are rare.

Nonetheless, in the past, Riga has experienced large, peaceful demonstrations related to internal political issues.  While such events have generally been peaceful, we remind you that gatherings intended to be peaceful can become confrontational.  Therefore, you should avoid the areas of demonstrations, if possible, and exercise caution if within the vicinity of any event.

Latvia is quite dark during the winter months, and pedestrians are required to wear small reflectors, which people generally pin to their coats or handbags.  Reflectors are very important in rural areas where it may be difficult for motorists to see pedestrians.  Starting October 1, 2014 all pedestrians walking on curbs in rural areas have to wear lighted vests.

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.  It may be prudent to use an alternate route away from the marked or work areas.  Sidewalks and roads can also be extremely slippery in the winter months.  Therefore, you need to exercise caution while crossing streets even if you have the right of way.

To stay connected:

• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program so we can keep you up to date with important safety and security announcements.
• Follow the Bureau of Consular Affairs on Twitter and Facebook.
• Bookmark the Bureau of Consular Affairs website, which contains the current Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts as well as the Worldwide Caution.
• Follow the U.S. Embassy in Latvia on Twitter and visiting the Embassy website.
• In the event of an emergency, contact us at 1-888-407-4747 toll-free within the U.S. and Canada, or via a regular toll line, 1-202-501-4444, from other countries.
• Take some time before traveling to consider your personal security and checking for useful tips for traveling safely abroad.

CRIME: Latvia is a relatively safe country, and crime is generally non-violent in nature; however, serious violent assaults and robberies have occurred.  Harassment of foreigners and same sex partners has also occurred in Latvia.

The Riga Tourist Police Unit has a 24/7 English-speaking operator at (+371) 6718-1818 and English-speaking officers who frequently patrol the Old City.  The most common crimes encountered by foreign tourists are purse snatching, pick-pocketing, and mugging, especially during the summer tourism season.  Tourists – particularly those carrying backpacks  –  are targeted by individuals or small groups of thieves working together.  Riga’s Old Town (Vecriga), Central train station (Dzelzcela stacija), Central bus station (Autoosta) and Central market (Centraltirgus) are crowded public places that are targeted by thieves.

Please be aware that scam artists occassionaly target foreigners in tourist pubs and restaurants.  You should pay special attention to the drink prices at bars.  There have been instances of travelers being charged exorbitant prices.  Bills have been as high as several thousand dollars for drinks, and in some establishments the management may use force to secure payment.

If possible, you should avoid walking alone at night and avoid using ATMs after dark.

In addition, internet crime is a growing concern in Latvia. Common fraudulent schemes involve both internet auction sites and internet job-search sites.  In the first scam, criminals offer you valuable items for sale at low prices on internet auctions and request that your payments are sent by wire transfer to a bank in Latvia or through a fraudulent escrow site that they have created themselves.  In this scheme, your money passes through a bank in Latvia and is quickly withdrawn at an ATM or transferred to a bank in another country.  It is very difficult in these cases to discover the identities of the account holders or recover the funds.

The second common scam involves identity theft through false job offers.  In this scheme, a company claiming to be located in Latvia, but which has a non-existent address, offers you employment as a U.S.-based agent or freight forwarder.  When you respond to the job offer, commonly posted on one of several popular Internet job sites, you are asked for a Social Security number and other identifying information under the guise of conducting a background check.  

VICTIMS OF CRIME: If you or someone you know becomes the victim of a crime abroad, you should contact the local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.  We can:

• Replace a stolen passport.
• Help you find appropriate medical care if you are the victim of violent crimes such as assault or rape.
• Put you in contact with the appropriate police authorities, and with your signed authorization, contact family members or friends.
• Help you understand the local criminal justice process and direct you to local attorneys, although it is important to remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting the crime.  

The local equivalent to the “911” emergency line in Latvia is 112, which can be called for fire and police assistance.  The primary number for ambulance services is 113, but the 112 operator can also help dispatch an ambulance.

Please see our information for victims of crime, including possible victim compensation programs in the United States.