We are traveling to Latvia in July and need some tips on where to stay.  We need a double room with bath, non-smoking and, if possible, with AC.
Also, how do you convert Latvian currency to US$$?  Some websites give the rates in Latvian currency only.
Thanks!

I am not sure on the current exchange rate - but you should be able to get it rate by contacting a currency change house in your area. When I travelled to Latvija, I found it cheapre to use my debit card for cash withdrawls there. I also found that it was also quite worth while to charge, in that one againg, it was cheaper buying than buying the money. I what you planning to do yourself - but I know that in certain areas, Latvian currency is not readily available for purchase, in that they deal in returned quantities only.

Today’s exchange is listed as follows (although it can vary depending on the source):

1 LVL = 1.945 USD
1 USD = 0.514 LVL

I concur with Sniks, I always use my debit card to get Lats, although my US debit card charges $5 per transaction and then adds a 1% fee. I also have a German debit card which charges 4.50 euros, but no other fee. So I usually use by German debit card and always take out the maximum amount allowed.

Also, be careful with a US credit card, one of my US credit cards charges a 3% fee on transactions paid in foreign currencies, whereas my other US credit card does not. You might want to check this before you leave.

Riga is full of currency exchange bureaus, although I have never used them. I have used travellers’ cheques, but exchanged them at a bank (Krajbanka I think). After a half-day of walking in Riga, you will have a pretty good idea of which currency exchange bureau offers the best rate, but be wary of commissions. I have never done this in Riga, but past experience in other countries has taught me to be wary of commissions and other transaction fees. One bureau may offer a better rate, but is likely to charge a fee or commission.

Good luck!
Pierre

te nu bija et al.,

There are currency exchange booths all over.  Outside they post currency buy and sell rates.  You can walk down the street and pick the best rate.  Take crisp new dollar bills with absolutely no markings on them.  They will take old bills with markings, but then they charge extra.

Visu labu,

Thanks to everyone for the information on currency exchanges.  Now I have to find a perfect place to stay - queen size bed, jacuzzi bath, great view but budget price (just kidding :lol:

Mils paldies visiem!

Sveiki!

There are sooo MANY hotels nowadays.  We used to be able to access archives here where people talked about/recommended certain ones, but, no more.  I’ve heard good things about Radi un Draugi, Konventa Seta, in Riga, though, I"ve never had any personal experience myself, since I always stay with the relatives.  There’s a site on the web, you could check:

http://www.virtualriga.com/hotel2.asp

Patricia Ltd is listed amongst them and they may be a resource as well, in helping to find hotels in Riga, Latvia.  And you just might try googling Latvia/Riga/Hotels and see what you can come up with.  Good Luck!

As per the exchange/currency, I haven’t been to Latvia now for about 3 years, but I always remember there being all kinds of currency/exchange rates all over Riga.  And I was just about to ask that question about the crisp new bills, if that still applied, which Bruno answered.  I do remember how important it was/is to have bills that are as new as possible, unmarked, because you do get less for marked bills. I always found that aspect to be a big pain in the butt--running from bank to bank here trying to find new unmarked bills;why they have to write all over them, mark them up, is beyond me!  I was told that if you want brand new bills, you might have to order them and wait for a few weeks.

At any rate, if you use the cards instead of the cash, I guess you don’t have to worry about any of this.

Laimigu celu!

Irena

Irena, mils paldies for your information.

At nearly $200 USD per night, this will not be considered moderately priced but Monika Centrum Hotel, 21 Elizabetes str., Riga +371 7031 900 was a superb hotel, an easy walking distance from Old Riga and next door to the famous restaurant Vincents.

It is ideally located across the street from a beautiful park (forgot the name) on a beautiful street.  It is clean and airy, rooms are very comfortable and the price includes a generous buffet breakfast.  We ate so well that we did not need lunch.  I found it through Hotels.com but maybe a better price can be found through Travelocity, etc.?  Next time we visit Riga, we will only go there.

I’ve stayed at Radi un Draugi many times and just love the Latvian desk people and employees for all their helpfulness. It’s a great way to be in the middle of Vecriga and spend endless hours fully exploring the countless historical, cultural, architectural, tourist, culinary, and fun offerings of the old town area. Radi un Draugi is comfortable without being pretentious and the reasonable cost does not make you feel that you have to stay in your room to get your money’s worth. One drawback, some rooms can be very noisy at night - or more precisely early morning - when only the most seriously drunk are still acting out around proximally located bars. Any existing noise ordinance is not assiduously enforced. Despite this, the Radi buffet breakfast is a terrific way to begin the day and you can easily return to your room after the visit to the Occupation Museum for a brief catnap.

Sveicinati!

Te nu bija, Te nu esi!  Welcome back and thanks for the reviews.  My girlfriend and her husband also stayed at the Monika Centrum.  It was her husband’s, who is a non-Lat, first time in Latvia.  They loved the place, the location, were impressed with the cuisine (couldn’t get over paying such reasonable prices for haute cuisine).  I think she told me they paid something near $100 a day and went through Travelocity, bet, and this is a big ‘bet’, they went in February, off season, so that does make a big difference.

Everytime I’ve traveled to Latvia, we’ve always stayed with relatives, with the exception of Sov times when staying at a hotel was a ‘must do’.  Consequently, I know little about the hotels, lodging, other than what I’ve read here on LOL.  My mother, who is 86, will be traveling to Latvia in September (her 15th time) and of course. as always, will be staying with her relatives out of guilt as not to offend anyone.  She was, however, interested in finding out about a place in Riga, she heard so many good things about run by Daugavas Vanagi.  Lo and behold, that turns out to be ‘Radi un Draugi’.  The reviews have been fairly good, other than as Ambersun and others have mentioned, the noise coming from the street, and last I heard, no air conditioning.

Always good to hear feed back!

Irena

PS I think it’s Kronvalda Parks that’s right across from Monika Centrum.  Just spoke to someone else who just came back from Latvia, brought a whole lot of relatives who didn’t speak Latvian.  She rented a van and drove all over, from Riga to Ventspils (something I’d love to do) and said that there were places to stay, eat a plenty; all the food was so fresh tasting, delicious and the kids just loved it.  Bought all these dictionaries, are trying to learn to speak Latvian and waiting to return again soon.

Labvakar,
exchange rate is about 2 dollars for one Lvl; and, in my opinion you should NEVER use any small palces-if you are in need of cash just go to the banks...you’ll get the best rates.  Make sure, that you will bring new and unmarked $$$, or you will be charged additional 4%...I almost never use any cash,-everybody takes credit cards, and in some places you will get discount for using Amex...I always stay at Hotel Ridzene, but is is rather pricy....Anyway, good luck, and enyoy your trip…

Paldies Abe,

We enjoyed our trip to Riga in July.  It is a clean and beautiful city.  I will keep the name of your hotel Ridzene in mind for our next visit.  We stayed at Monika Centrum Hotel and that was pricey but worth it.
Thanks for your advice! :  )

anytime...will be in Riga soon; so, we must keep in touch..........
Visu labu…