Top Local Tips for Riga

Electical Converter and Currency Conversion Ratio Be sure to bring an electric coverter because the electic sockets will not accept U.S.A plugs. Also, be sure to bring an additional round socket adaptor to plug into the Hotel socket. Contact the hotel for more information on this additional adaptor or else your laptop and appliances will not work with a converter only. Also, be sure you understand that the currency conversion of the US dollar is very weak compared to the Euro and LAT (Latvian Dollar) so be carefull of your spending budget for Americans because $20 US dollars does not go a long way in Latvia.

Visit the Lido restaurants There are a number of (state run?) buffet-style restaurants run by the Lido chain, although each branch has a different name. Riga This Week lists them in its restaurant section. For under 5 lats you can have a huge plate of food and a beer, and the food quality and the overall quality of the restaurant is surprisingly high. There is a massive out of town site but the small one near the cathedral is most convenient.

Waterpark If you are travelling with children I would recommend that you spend some hours in the waterpark situated between Riga and Jurmala. The place is called Livu akvapark and you easily reach the place by taking the minibus that runs evere 5 minutes from outside the central station in Riga (look for the Jurmala sign)