# What to do when you land in Latvia

> The moment you land in Latvia: activate your eSIM, clear arrivals, get cash/transport and head to Riga. Here are the steps.

The moment you land in Latvia: activate your eSIM, clear arrivals, get cash/transport and head to Riga. Here are the steps.

## Get online at the airport

Install a MerrSIM eSIM for Latvia (from €1.99, 10 GB €9.99) before departure and you’re online the moment you land at Riga International Airport — no WiFi hunt, no roaming.

[MerrSIM — eSIM Latvia](https://merrsim.com/destinations/esim-plans-for-latvia)

## How much data you really need

For normal use — maps, messaging, social media and the odd video — budget about 300–700 MB a day. A light traveller is fine with 3–5 GB for a week, while anyone doing video calls, streaming or laptop hotspot will want 10–20 GB. In Latvia, download offline maps and use hotel WiFi for big downloads; that way a 10 GB plan comfortably lasts two weeks. If you run out, you buy a new plan in the app with no waiting.

## Activation in a few minutes

Do the install before departure, while on WiFi. Open your phone settings, choose to add an eSIM and scan the QR code you received by email. Label the profile “Latvia” so it is easy to spot. When you land, set the eSIM as your data line and switch on data roaming for it — that is normal for travel eSIMs and adds no fees, because the plan is prepaid. Within seconds you are online, with no need to hunt for public WiFi.

## How an eSIM works

An eSIM is a digital SIM built into your phone: there is no physical card to insert. You buy it online, get a QR code by email and scan it in your settings. Once installed, the profile lives on your phone and activates when you reach Latvia, connecting automatically to a local partner network. You can keep your main SIM at the same time, so your number still gets calls and texts while the eSIM handles data.

## Coverage and 5G speed in Latvia

The eSIM connects to the main local operators, so you get the same coverage as a local, including 4G/LTE and 5G where available. In the cities and tourist areas of Latvia the signal is strong and stable; in very remote villages or mountains it can weaken, as with any operator. Hotspot is included, so you can share the connection with your laptop or a travel companion at no extra cost.

## Tips to save data

A few small habits make your gigabytes last in Latvia. Download Google Maps offline before you head out, set video quality to “Auto” or 480p, and turn off background app refresh. Use hotel WiFi for big updates and high-resolution photo uploads. With these steps, even a modest plan covers the whole trip, and your hotspot stays free for the moments you really need it.

## FAQ

### How do I get online as soon as I arrive in Latvia?
Activate a MerrSIM eSIM for Latvia (from €1.99, 10 GB €9.99) by QR before departure; you connect automatically at the airport.


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Author: Etnik Beqiri  
Published: 2026-05-28  
Source: https://merrsim.com/en/blog/udhezues-arritjeje-latvia-en