Broadly safe for most visitors, with only routine travel precautions needed. Public health and infrastructure are well developed.
Regional breakdown
Most trips to Latvia focus on Riga, the capital, which handles the bulk of flights, cruise calls and business visits. The old town, the central market and the art nouveau district around Alberta iela see the heaviest footfall. Pickpocketing and drink spiking in late-night bars are the usual complaints, rather than violent crime. Outside Riga, the coastal resort of Jurmala draws summer visitors, while Sigulda and the Gauja National Park pull hikers and castle tourists. Liepaja and Ventspils on the Baltic coast are quieter port cities with their own airports and ferry links. These areas see very little trouble beyond standard road safety issues and seasonal tick-borne disease in forested zones. The eastern regions of Latgale and the areas close to the Russian and Belarusian borders need more thought. Latvia has closed several road crossings with both neighbours, and the border zone itself has restricted access. Drone debris from the war in Ukraine has landed inside Latvian territory more than once, and NATO air policing is active overhead. Travellers heading to Daugavpils or Rezekne should plan routes carefully and avoid wandering into marked border areas.
Recent advisory changes
The official advisory guidance reissued its Latvia advisory on 1 April 2026 at Level 1, Exercise Normal Precautions. This is the lowest of the four US tiers. The notice flags no specific regions, no ordered departure, and describes Latvia as generally calm for visitors. The wording has held steady through successive reissues, reflecting a stable picture on the ground despite the wider regional tension. The official advisory guidance last updated its Latvia page on 27 March 2026. The change added new information about drones entering Latvian airspace linked to Russia's war in Ukraine. The official advisory guidance does not warn against travel to any part of Latvia. But it points readers to the Safety and Security section for detail on border closures. Airspace incidents and what to do if debris is found. Both governments treat Latvia as open for normal tourism and business. While asking travellers to stay alert to the eastern border situation and follow local instructions during any air alert.
What travellers should know
Latvia is inside the EU and the Schengen area, so visitors get 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. A passport with at least three months of validity beyond the planned departure date is required. And border officers can ask to see proof of onward travel and funds. The euro is the local currency and card payments are accepted almost everywhere, including on buses and trams in Riga. Practical points worth knowing: tap water is drinkable, healthcare in Riga is good but patchy in rural areas, and the GHIC card covers state treatment. Winter driving conditions can be harsh from November to March, and winter tyres are a legal requirement. Tick-borne encephalitis and Lyme disease are present in forests during warmer months, so repellent and covered clothing help. Keep phones charged and carry ID, since random document checks are legal. Anyone planning to visit the Russian or Belarusian border area should check the latest State Border Guard notices before setting off. As closures and restricted zones change at short notice.