Latvia is a rather expensive country and the level of prices could be compared with Scandinavian countries. Daily necessities like food and some services are still relatively inexpensive by Western standards.

Credit cards have been introduced for just a few years; however, many of stores and retailers do now accept credit cards. Small shops and kiosks accept cash only. The majority of shops are open from 9-10 a/m till 6-7 p/m on weekdays and till 5 p/m on Saturdays. All shops are closed on Sundays, except the supermarkets and some small food stores. Recommendable are the popular market places where you can buy fresh products (vegetables, fruit, mushrooms, berries and dairy products, flowers) from the countryside.

International students should bear in mind that if they wish to travel, buy fresh fruit and vegetables, make frequent telephone calls, and lead an active social life, they should expect to spend about Ls 200-300 monthly.

If you want to buy something to remind you of your stay in Latvia, most likely it will be local handicrafts, works of art or books. Latvia is famous for its chocolate, manufactured by the oldest Latvian enterprise ‘’Laima’’, as well as for ceramics and amber.