ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
**Requirements due to COVID-19 are constantly changing. Please check your own country's international travel advice as well as the airline requirements before travel.**
UK guests please see the UK Government Foreign Office Travel website for the latest entry and exit advice: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/latvia/entry-requirements
US guests please see the Travel State website: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Latvia.html
Visas:
British, U.S., and Canadian citizens do not need a visa for stays up to 90 days within a 180-day period.
Passports:
Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months beyond the period of stay. It is advised to have 1 blank page in your passport. Please be sure to fill out the "Emergency Next of Kin" section in your passport.
**Visa and entry requirements, regulations, and restrictions can vary regularly. Ensure you check in good time prior to travel the current requirements applicable to you.
Travel Insurance:
All passengers must have valid travel insurance before traveling, including health and cancellation insurance. Please ensure you have a copy of your insurer’s 24-hour emergency telephone number and your policy number.
Medical Conditions and Personal Medication:
Please advise us prior to travel if you have any medical conditions requiring special attention during your trip. If you have a specific medical condition, it is wise to carry the relevant doctor’s prescription with you.
Important: Pack a sufficient supply of any medications you are taking, copies of the prescriptions, and the telephone/fax numbers of your doctor.
Please note, some countries require that prescription drugs be carried in their original container, with the label clearly visible. In the event of you losing your medication, a qualified pharmacist should be able to source a replacement.
Traveling with CPAP or other Medical Machines:
Please inform The Big Journey Company that you are travelling with such a device as early as possible, and well before you travel. Please note, if you require distilled or ionised water, you must inform The Big Journey Company of this at the time of booking, so we are able to make preparations with our ground agents. There may be an additional charge for this.
LUGGAGE
What to Pack and Wear:
We would recommend comfortable clothes and shoes for this tour. Feel free to include a smart-casual outfit for dinner if you wish, however, there is no pressure to follow a dress code.
The weather should largely be warm and sunny throughout the journey, however, it is always good to be prepared for every eventuality, so make sure you pack a light jacket in case of rain and the fact that it may be cooler in the evening. Insect repellent, sunglasses, a sun hat, and sun cream are also essential items. Don't forget your camera, with charger/spare batteries and memory cards, and why not pack your swimming costume too.
LANGUAGE
The main language of Latvia is Latvian.
WEATHER
Latvia's climate is temperate and humid, with four distinct seasons. Winters can be cold and snowy, especially inland, while summers are warm, with temperatures often reaching 25°C (77°F). Spring and autumn are generally mild and pleasant.
ELECTRICITY
Latvia operates on a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz. You will need a power plug travel adapter for sockets type C and F.
MONEY
The currency of Latvia is the Euro (EUR). Credit cards are widely accepted, but it is advisable to carry money in cash with you as well. ATMs are widely available in cities, but not so in smaller villages.
Visa and Mastercard are the most widely accepted credit cards, however many places do not accept cards such as Diners Club or American Express. If you intend to use any of your debit or credit cards whilst away, please make sure that you contact your bank before you leave to inform them that you will be traveling in order not to cause any problems using your cards or whilst on the trip.
Important Note - Latvia uses chip-and-pin credit cards, so cards with magnetic strips on the back (commonly used in North America) may not work with certain automated machines. You might want to carry some extra cash in your wallet to use in these situations just in case. You may be asked to provide ID if you cannot pay by chip and PIN.
After feedback from previous guests, we offer a group tipping package for this tour, more information on this will be shared in the 'Pre-Tour Emails'.
WATER
In urban areas and popular tourist destinations, tap water is generally treated and considered safe to drink. However, in more rural or remote areas, it's advisable for visitors to drink bottled or filtered water to avoid potential health issues.
SAFETY & SECURITY
As visitors, tourists may be more vulnerable to petty crimes like pickpocketing and scams, so we recommend staying aware and taking simple precautions.
RELIGION
The predominant religion in Latvia is Lutheran Christianity, followed by Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy. There is also a small Jewish and Muslim minority, as well as other religious communities. Religious tolerance is generally observed, and other religions are practiced by small communities within the country.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Latvia offers photo opportunities one after another. You will return with many photos that can never be repeated. Remember to pack your camera, along with the charger, spare batteries, and a spare memory card!
ARRIVAL IN LATVIA
Please note, standard hotel check-in is around 3 pm, so should you arrive earlier than this, your room may not be available upon arrival. For those arriving early morning, we will do everything we can to work with the hotel to get you an earlier check-in subject to availability.
If you have any other questions that we have not covered here, then please send us an e-mail to: info@thebigjourneycompany.com
Disclaimer: The above information is provided as a guideline only. The Big Journey Company assumes no liability for any errors or omissions in this document.
Updated November 2024