The currency in Latvia is the Lat. You can't buy Lats from your local and so, beacuse of this, they will tell you that the preferred currency is dollars - but don't listen to them. Try to get some Lats in the departure lounge but even if you don't it's not a major disaster because the airport has cash machines which aren't a rip off. Having said that, once you're in Riga itself, I recommend using Hansa Bank ATMs ...
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If you're in the UK prior to your Latvian visit, I bought Lats from Thomas Cook without any problem. Once in Latvia, I used ATMs all over the country, even small and sleepy towns have one.
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