Check your purses, tap your wallets and don't take drinks from strangers. Latvia has something of a reputation for crime and scams targeted to travelers – here's what you need to know to stay safe.
Photo © Getty Images/RomanBabakin
Latvia is a very safe country to travel to, whether you're a solo woman, traveling with friends, as a family or a couple. But there are a few things to know before you go, from petty crime to scams and stag party safety.
Pickpocketing in Latvia
Tourists often make the easiest targets for would-be pick-pockets, especially during the busy summer months (June to September). Most thefts happen in Vecriga (Riga's Old Town), Dzelzcela Stacija (central train station), the Autoosta (central bus station) and Centraltirgus (central market). Those carrying backpacks make themselves more appealing to thieves and travelers who are not alert are easy targets.
Thieves may act alone, or work in groups to divert the attention.
Scams in Latvia: how to avoid them
Riga, being both the capital and most popular city, is the home to many of the tourist scam reports. Many of the reports revolve around pubs and clubs, and nightlife situations in general.
Overpriced drinks and credit card scams
While travelers have reported a scam in which they are charged exorbitant prices for drinks or had their credit cards skimmed, these reports have declined. Ask your accommodation to recommend trustworthy bars and clubs, and when using a card to pay, make sure the transaction happens in front of you and be wary of requests for you to re-enter your PIN number.
Further suggestions for avoiding scams while out include asking drink prices in advance, paying for each round individually (so you're not smacked with a huge bill in the end) and avoiding using the ATMs in bars whenever possible.
Check if cover charges are normal
Another scam is for bars and clubs to charge a cover to foreigners only upon entry. Check with your hotel or hostel in advance, and always watch locals as they enter to know if your money is required.
Some establishments that are considered shady for the above scams are Kapsula, Babylon and Sonali Pub to name a few. Clubs on Kalku lela and near the Freedom Monument have been pointed out as potential problem areas as well.
Avoid becoming a stag-party statistic
When doing an initial search for accommodation in Riga, you might find notes saying "no stag parties allowed". Riga is a popular destination for groups of European men, especially British, for pre-wedding Buck's weekends out on the town, and as you can imagine, they get drunk and loud.
Besides being annoying to other travelers in the area, being in party mode puts you at risk of becoming a target for crime, and there have been reports of drunken tourists getting beaten up by locals.
Don't accept drinks from strangers
Although not widely discussed as a major problem in Latvia for travelers, there have been reports of travelers getting drugged at bars and then robbed. It doesn't matter where you are: You should always watch your drinks being made and never leave a drink unattended.
Discrimination and racism in Latvia
Verbal harassment in Riga towards those of ethnic backgrounds has been reported but is on the decline as tourism has increased.
There is not a high level of tolerance towards LGBTQ+ travelers, a hangover from the communist era when homosexuality was not allowed. However, attitudes are changing, particularly since Latvia joined the EU and a senior politician came out as gay. Anti-gay discrimination in the workplace is illegal. As a LGBTQ+ traveler, you will be safe in Riga, but discretion is advised away from Riga's gay scene and more liberal nightclubs, and in more rural areas.
Be aware of the car theft rates in Latvia
Not only does Latvia have a high traffic accident rate, it also has a high car theft rate. If you're on a driving holiday, keep your doors locked and valuables out of sight when it is parked or unattended.
To report any crime, call the Riga tourism police on +317 67 181818 or the national police on 110.
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12 Comments
I went to Latvia in 2008, and we were targeted all over Riga. I was one of 6 out of a group of over 40 that didn't get scammed.
Just came back from a Stag weekend in Riga and none of us got scammed, only met lovley people and had a great time. I guess you have to keep you wits about you but we never at anytime felt under any threat.
We are niow at Riga and my husband's wallet was stolen this afternoon.Some ppl(SOME!) came to open my husband's backbag and steal the wallet inside in less than one minute when my husband was picking up the luggage from bus. My husband ran to catch one of the thefts and found nothing, we are so sure they have a group to do this when ppl pick up luggages after getting off the bus in central bus terminal. When we came back from police station, we found a woman trying to steal something from me and my bag was openned when we going up from a tunnel. Lucky that we had noticed and she ran away. This is our second time to be in Riga and last one was a perfect trip at last year. We have no idea why everything changed here and we will not come back again.
This comes as a first result for googling "Travel safety Latvia" and it paints a very negative picture of the country. The article is right about the "drink scam" so if you're a single male, don't be naive and don't follow beautiful girls into shady bars. There are "professionals" which specialize on sex- and attention-craving middle aged men. If what she says or promises sounds too good to be true - it probably is. I can tell you a secret - most Latvian women are not interested in foreigners. If you want to get to know a Latvian women (which are beautiful indeed) try to be genuinely interested and respectful. Also be a bit more aware than in your own country when carrying bags with valuables, hold them where you see them, especially around Central Train station and Central market. Groups of Roma women are known to commit thefts and can also become aggressive when caught. Avoid Maskachka (Moscow) District at night (it's an area east to Central Market). It doesn't have a good reputation but many hotels and hostels are there because it is cheaper and foreigners are not aware of its "fame". If you need to get to hotel there at night it is better to take a taxi than walk although it is quite close to the center. Other than that - you're welcome. We have more than 3 million tourists every year and 99% of visits are trouble - free.
Latvians are very, nice people. Avoid there living Russians- Russians every where are scams.
But I liked there a lot. Nothing bad happen to any of us- only pleasant stay.
Riga must be avoided at all costs. I left Rock Cafe in Riga Old Town at 2am to go back to the apartment on Saturday night and work up in the hospital with my face black and blue. I also had my phone and wallet robbed. I'm from London where walking around is safe, not in Riga. It's a very dangerous place unless you're only planning on going out during the day.
Riga is very unsafe and dangerous city.
Russian gangs will rip your head off.
In Riga there is about 70% Russians and %30 Latvians.
Latvians are good people. Russians are very bad. They are the scammers and robbers.
Riga has the highest kidnap rates in whole Europe combined.
Russian gangs usually kidnap American tourists and cut out human organs and ship to Russia and UK.
There is high demand for organs in black market.
Folks stay away from Riga, Latvia.
Visit Tallin, Estonia.
Derek are you serious.?Human organ harvesting.? Sound like a troll.
My husband and I are seniors and we have travelled to Latvia 5 times. Just been back from Riga a month.We have parked our rental car in carparks and streets overnight and have never had a problem. We don’t frequent bars and don’t wander down dark alleys at night ,drunk, but then we wouldn’t do that here in Sydney or in no go areas of London.
Latvians are very quiet , introverted people who don’t really cause problems. The large Russian population in Riga is another story. So for those of you who want to visit , do so confidently , but just dont behave like low class yobbos and you will be fine.
So now the question is, how do you tell the Latvians and Russians apart?
If you see the guy with fur hat, AK47 rifle and a bear - that's possible Russian, stay away from him! If you got an eye contact - you are dead, unless you have a bottle of vodka with you, that can save your life
shit place, i havet byen Hunted down 2 times by same gopniks, the city is poor, i think Afrika is even reacher then latvia
Don’t come to places like Ziepniekkalns, Purvciems, Kengarags, Zolitude and Imanta you probably will get robbed!