Latvia operates on the euro, adopted January 1, 2014, replacing the lats at a conversion rate of 1 EUR to 0.702804 lats. This membership in the eurozone eliminates currency exchange costs for travelers arriving from other euro-using countries and stabilizes price comparisons across the European Union. ATMs dispensing euros operate throughout Riga, Daugavpils, Liepāja, Jelgava, and Jūrmala with widespread availability in urban centers. Card acceptance reaches approximately 85 percent of businesses in major cities, though cash remains necessary in rural Kurzeme, Latgale, and Vidzeme regions, particularly for transactions at local markets, small guesthouses, and regional bus stations.
Accommodation in Riga ranges from EUR 12 to EUR 18 per night for hostel dormitory beds in the Old Town and surrounding neighborhoods during off-peak months September through May, excluding Christmas and New Year. Mid-range hotels in Riga's Art Nouveau District and near Riga Central Market charge EUR 45 to EUR 75 per night for double rooms with private bathrooms. Budget guesthouses in Daugavpils and Liepāja average EUR 25 to EUR 35 per night. Jūrmala, functioning as a beach resort town on the Gulf of Riga coast, commands higher rates from June through August, with mid-range hotels charging EUR 80 to EUR 120 per night during peak season. The Latvian Ethnographic Open-Air Museum operates a campground charging EUR 5 per tent pitch, though facilities close November through March. Rundale Palace vicinity offers rural guesthouses at EUR 30 to EUR 50 per night.
Public transportation in Riga operates on a flat fare of EUR 1.50 per single journey when purchased from the driver, reducing to EUR 1.15 when using a rechargeable e-talons card available at Narvesen kiosks and Rīgas Satiksme service centers for a EUR 2 deposit. Monthly unlimited passes cost EUR 50 for all Riga trams, buses, and trolleybuses. Intercity buses connecting Riga to Daugavpils cover 225 kilometers in approximately 3 hours at EUR 8 to EUR 12 per journey depending on carrier and advance booking. Lux Express and Simple Express operate the Riga-Liepāja route covering 220 kilometers at EUR 7 to EUR 10. Trains operated by Pasažieru Vilciens connect Riga to Jelgava in 50 minutes for EUR 2.50 to EUR 3.50, though rail coverage remains limited compared to bus networks. Riga to Sigulda trains serving Gauja National Park visitors run hourly during summer months at EUR 2.85 for the 53-kilometer journey.
Restaurant meals in Riga vary by location and establishment type. Self-service cafeterias like Lido Alus Sēta in central Riga offer pelēkie zirņi ar speķi at EUR 3.50 to EUR 4.50 per portion, while traditional main courses including kartupeli ar gaileņu mērci range from EUR 5.50 to EUR 7.50. Mid-range restaurants in Riga's Old Town charge EUR 12 to EUR 18 for main courses, with restaurants near House of the Blackheads and Riga Cathedral commanding the higher end of this range. Rimi and Maxima supermarkets sell basic groceries including rupjmaize at EUR 0.90 to EUR 1.50 per 500-gram loaf, local biezpiens at EUR 1.20 to EUR 1.80 per 250 grams, and seasonal produce at prices approximately 20 to 30 percent below restaurant menu equivalents. Riga Central Market, occupying five former German Zeppelin hangars, offers fresh vegetables, dairy products, and smoked fish at prices 10 to 15 percent below supermarket rates, though quality and freshness vary by vendor and season.
Alcohol prices reflect Latvia's position as a relatively affordable destination within the European Union. Domestic Aldaris and Užavas beer costs EUR 1.50 to EUR 2.50 per 500ml in supermarkets, rising to EUR 3.50 to EUR 5.50 in Old Town Riga bars. Rīgas Melnais Balzams, the traditional herbal liqueur with 45 percent alcohol content, sells at EUR 9.50 to EUR 12.50 per 500ml bottle in Rimi supermarkets. Restaurants typically add 100 to 150 percent markup on retail alcohol prices. Bars in Liepāja and Daugavpils charge approximately 20 percent less than Riga equivalents for the same beverages. Tipping remains discretionary, though rounding up bills or leaving 5 to 10 percent has become more common in Riga establishments serving international tourists since 2015.
Entry fees for cultural sites remain moderate compared to Western European equivalents. Riga Art Nouveau Museum charges EUR 7 for adult admission, while Latvian National Museum of Art in Riga costs EUR 4.30, offering free entry on last Wednesday of each month. Rundale Palace, located 77 kilometers south of Riga in Zemgale region, charges EUR 12 for palace interior access and EUR 5 for garden-only tickets during May through September. Turaida Castle near Sigulda costs EUR 5 for adults. Occupation Museum of Latvia in Riga operates on a suggested donation basis, though complete renovation closed the facility from 2016 to 2023, with the new building opened at Raiņa bulvāris 7. Motor Museum, displaying Soviet-era vehicles, charges EUR 10 for adults. Aglona Basilica maintains free entry as an active Catholic pilgrimage site in Latgale region, drawing 150,000 visitors annually for the August 15 Assumption of Mary celebrations.
National park access remains free across all four of Latvia's national parks: Gauja, Slītere, Ķemeri, and Rāzna. Gauja National Park, established 1973 as Latvia's first national park, covers 91,745 hectares along the Gauja River valley without charging entry fees for hiking trails, Gutmanis Cave access, or general park exploration. Guided tours arranged through Gauja National Park Administration office in Sigulda cost EUR 5 to EUR 8 per person for groups of eight or more. Ķemeri National Park boardwalk through Great Ķemeri Bog permits free walking access year-round, though the 3.4-kilometer trail requires approximately 90 minutes and proper footwear. Jūrmala Beach access remains free along its 33-kilometer stretch, though parking fees range from EUR 2 to EUR 5 per day during June through August peak season.
Transportation costs for reaching natural areas from Riga add moderate expenses to budget calculations. Riga to Sigulda trains providing access to Gauja National Park cost EUR 2.85 each direction. Riga to Jūrmala trains run every 30 minutes during summer months at EUR 1.50 to EUR 2.50 depending on specific Jūrmala station, with journey times ranging from 25 to 45 minutes. Ķemeri station serving Ķemeri National Park sits on the same rail line at EUR 2.50 from Riga. Bus access to Slītere National Park on the Kurzeme coast requires changing at Ventspils or Kolka, with combined fares reaching EUR 8 to EUR 12 from Riga and journey times exceeding 4 hours. Rāzna National Park in Latgale region, surrounding Latvia's largest lake at 57.56 square kilometers, requires bus travel to Rēzekne at EUR 9 to EUR 13, then local bus or taxi to park entry points.