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Banks		Currency
Most of the hotels, major gas station, restaurants and shops accept credit cards. Cash machines are installed at the majority of banks as well as at the airport and the Central Post Office. Traveller's cheques and Eurocheques can be exchanged at largest banks and are practically not accepted in restaurants and shops. You can exchange your money euther at banks, or in numerous exchange points. since the exchange rate is practically the same in all exchange points, so not be afraid to use their service. Note: Torn banknotes or banknotes with the ink marks or old banknotes (for example, 100 US Dollars bills issued before 1990) are not accepted for the exchange so always take with you only good looking paper money. Cash dispensers: Visa - at the head office of Rigas Kommercbanka (6 Smilshu st.) EC and Mastercard - in the airport, Metropole Hotel, Statoil (10 Krasta st.), Central Post Office (19 Brivibas st.), World Trade Centre (2 Elizabetes st.), Saules Banka head office (16 Smilshu st.) Travelleres cheques and Eurocheques - cheques are exchange in banks and mostly are not accepted in restaurants or shops Bank of the Republic of Latvia 2a K. Valdemara iela tel: 7323863 fax: 7220543 Latvijas Unibanka Vecriga, 23 Pils iela tel: 7220244 tel/fax: 7323487 Open: 08.30-16.00 Rigas Komercbanka (Riga Commercial Bank) 6 Smilsu iela tel: 7015237, 7015214 fax: 7820080, 7323449 Open: 09.30-17.00, ex.Sa.Su. In Radisson SAS Daugava Hotel 24 Kugu iela tel: 7061155, 7061157 fax: 7061156 Open: 07.00-23.00 Visa Card, Euro/Master Card, JCB, Diner's Club, Thomas Cook Cheque, and traveller cheques. Parex - Banka 8 K. Valdemara iela tel: 7325305 fax: 7224576 Open: 09.00-18.00, ex Sa.Su. Euro/Master Card, Visa Card, American Express Traveller Cheque, Thomas Cook Cheque and others. Vacijas - Latvijas Banka (Deutsche - Lettische Bank) 3/5 Jekaba iela tel: 7210584, fax: 7225281 Open: 09.00-17.00, Su.10.00-13.00 26 Kalku iela tel: 7222401 fax: 7224514 Open: 09.00-19.00, ex.Sa.Su. Riga Airport tel: 7207990 Open: 09.00-18.00 ex.Sa.Su. Visa Card, Euro/Master Card, JCB, Globus Card, American Express Traveller Cheque and all traveller cheques.		The Latvian currency, Lat (1 Lat=100 santims) was fully introduced in October of 1993 and due to the special policy of the national Bank of Latvia its value has not been practically changed from that time. At present Lat is one of the most stable currencies in Europe. There are coins of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 santims, and 1 and 2 Lats. The paper-notes are 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 500 Lats. Check with the Embassy for the latest currency information before travelling. Practical tip against fake coins: You can encounter however very rarely a fake coin. it could happen only with the coins with 1/2, 1, 2 ls denominations. fake coins are much darker in color than the originals bacause they are made of different metal. fake coins leave dark trace on a paper. The silver coins "Riga 800" will be valuable giftsand remembrances of Riga to be treasured forever. Credit Cards EUROCARD, MASTERCARD, VISA, JCB, DINER'S CLUB, AMERICAN EXPRESS, EUROCHEQUE, TRAVELLER'S CHEQUE are accepted in Zemes Bank, Riga Commercial Bank, Deutsch-Lettische Bank. Banking Hours Mainly 9.00 to 16.00 Monday to Friday, on Saturday some banks are open from 9.00 till 12.30 24 Hour Exchange Ahats 12 Basteja bulv 90 Brivibas iela Central station Marika 14 Basteja bulv

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