Destinations › Latvia › Riga › Scams
Riga, Latvia
8 reported scam patterns travellers run into in Riga, what they look like, and how to sidestep them.
Taxis at the airport and old-town ranks with tariff cards several times the standard rate, which is why the app fare is the benchmark.
Bill inflation in old-town bars, including drinks bought for a companion who joined the table and charges for entertainment not requested.
Bar and strip-club touts in the old town leading to venues where the bill runs to many times what was ordered, with card details retained and departure obstructed — the city's best-documented tourist trap.
Stag-party targeting: staged confrontations and 'fines' presented by men claiming to be security.
Plastic and pressed amber sold as natural Baltic amber at amber prices.
Pickpocketing in the old town and at the Central Market.
Short-let bookings cancelled close to arrival in peak weekends.
Dynamic currency conversion applied by default on card terminals at a poor rate.
