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Language: Latvian is the official language, but English, Lithuanian, Russian and German are also spoken.
Currency: The official currency is the Lat (LVL), which is divided into 100 santims. Most hotels and restaurants in Riga accept credit cards, and most major banks cash travelers cheques, but outside of the capital credit cards are not widely accepted and credit card fraud can be a problem at smaller institutions. Foreign currency can be exchanged at any bank, at money change kiosks and at some hotels; note that a 4% fee will be charged to exchange US dollars that are torn
or marked in any way. Most banks are closed on Saturdays and Sundays. ATMs are available in the larger cities.
Time: Local time is GMT +2 (GMT +3 from April to November).
Electricity: Electrical current is 220 volts AC, 50 Hz. European style two-pin plugs are in use.
Communications: The international dialing code for Latvia is +371. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0027 for South Africa). City/area codes are in use; there are three for Riga: (0)3, (0)28 and (0)29. International Direct Dialling is available from all public and hotel phones. Public phones use phone-cards, which can be bought from numerous shops and kiosks. For local operator assistance dial 116, and for international operator assistance dial 115. The two local GSM mobile phone operators use GSM 900 and GSM 1800 networks. Riga has an increasing number of Internet cafes.
Duty Free: Travelers to Latvia over 17 years and arriving with goods purchased in the EU for personal use do not have to pay duty on 800 cigarettes, 400 cigarillos, 200 cigars, 1kg smoking tobacco; 10 liters of spirits with alcohol content higher than 22%, 20 liters of alcohol with alcohol content lower than 22%, 90 liters wine or 60 liters of sparkling wine, 110 liters of beer, and 110 liters of non-alcoholic beverages. Travelers arriving from non-EU countries do not have to pay duty on 200 cigarettes, or 100 cigarillos, or 50 cigars, or 250g smoking tobacco; 1 liter of spirits with alcohol volume higher than 22%, or 2 liters spirits, aperitifs, liqueur, sparkling or still wines with alcohol volume less than 22% and 2 liters still wine; perfume up to 50g or 250ml eau de toilette; other goods for personal use to the value of EUR175. Prohibited items include narcotics, guns, and fresh food products.
Tourist OfficeLatvia Tourist Board, Riga: +371 722 9945 or www.latviatourism.lv
EmergencyEmergencies: 02 (Police); 03 (Ambulance)
Embassies
Embassy of Latvia, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 726 8213.
Embassy of Latvia, London, United Kingdom: +44 (0)20 7312 0040.
Embassy of Latvia, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 238 6014.
Honorary Consulate of Latvia, Johannesburg, South Africa: +27 (0)11 505 9100.
Embassy of Latvia, Dublin, Ireland: +353 (0)1 662 1610.
Consulate of Latvia, Auckland, Australia: +64 (0)9 309 5367.
United States Embassy, Riga: +371 7036 200.
British Embassy, Riga: +371 777 4700.
Canadian Embassy, Riga: +371 928 7077.
Australian Consulate, Riga: +371 722 4251.
South African Embassy, Helsinki, Finland (also responsible for Latvia): +358 (0)9 6860 3100.
Honorary Consul of Ireland, Riga: +371 703 5286.
New Zealand Embassy, Warsaw, Poland (also responsible for Latvia): +48 22 521 0500.
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