Practical Information
TAXI:
One can get a taxi at the taxi rank or with the
assistance of the reception desk at a hotel or in the
street. All taxis have meters, though it is advisable to
negotiate the price before taking the taxi. Taxi fare is
normally stable: from 06.00 to 22.00 it's Ls 0.30 per
km, after 22.00 - Ls 0.40.You can order taxi by tel.
7334040, 7014141, 8001010, 7333777, 7189999.
URBAN PUBLIC TRANSPORT:
Bus, tram or trolley bus can also reach all parts of
the city. Tickets for buses, trams and trolley buses
can bought on board; the price is Ls 0.20 per ride.
Public transportation service usually begins around
5-6 a.m. and continues until midnight.
FOOD:
Hors d'oeuvres are very good and often the best part
of the meal in Latvia! Local specialties include
cabbage soup, grilled pork ribs, gray peas with fried
meat, Alexander Torte (raspberry or cranberry-filled
pastry strips), smoked fish, (including salmon and
trout), piragi (pastry filled with bacon and onions) and
Sorrel soup with boiled pork, onions, potatoes and
barley. It is highly recommended to try the local food
for a culinary delight!
DRINK:
Riga's Black Balsam is a thick, black alcoholic liquid,
which has been produced since 1700. The exact
recipe is a closely guarded secret. Some of the
ingredients include ginger, oak bark, bitter
orangepeels and cognac. There are also many kinds
of local beers. Dark beer includes Bauskas Tumsais
and Porteris and the pale beer includes Bauskas
Gaisais, Aldara Zelta and Aldara Luksusa. Latvian
beer is known for its high quality and superb taste.
SHOPPING:
Amber is a good buy in Latvia. Other purchases
include folk art, wickerwork and earthware. Shopping
hours on weekdays are from 10.00 a.m. until 19.00
p.m. and on Saturdays 10.00 a.m. until 16.00 p.m.
Grocery and department stores are usually open from
08.00 a.m. until 19.00 p.m. There are also few food
stores in Riga that provides 24-hour service.
SOCIAL CONVENTIONS:
Handshaking is customary in Latvia. Normal
courtesies should be observed. Latvians may seem
reserved and formal, but soon you will find them to be
very warm and hospitable.
TIPPING:
Taxi fares do not include a tip. In restaurants, the bill
normally includes the tip. Tipping is usually expected,
but it is wise to maintain a sense of proportion. Bear
in mind that the value of the US dollar is reasonably
high in comparison to the local salaries. Tipping in
hotels go according to the services provided.
ECONOMY:
The Latvian economy before the Second World War
was dominated by agriculture and light industry. After
1945, heavy industry was introduced leaving a legacy
of pollution, which the Latvians are committed to
eliminating. With few raw materials, Latvia is
dependent on producing manufactured goods from
imported materials. Key industries include vehicle
and railway rolling stock manufacture, electronics,
fertilizers and chemicals, timber and light machinery.
Dairy farming, fishing and timber are important in the
agricultural sector. The infrastructure is comparatively
well developed, as are the other Baltic States. Latvia
faces a major problem with electricity supply. The
country currently produces 50% of its consumption.
The government has initiated economic reforms to
bring in a market economy and encourage foreign
investment. Disorder in the old trading links with the
CIS countries is also a current problem.
BUSINESS:
Office hours: 08:30 - 17:00 Monday through Friday.
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