Country Tours - Algeria Travel Tips

Algeria Travel Tips
by Kevin Dyck: Director of Mosaic North Africa

What kind of pre-trip plans do I need to do before my visit Algeria?

When planning on traveling to Algeria it is important to decide on a tour a few months ahead of time in order for your tourist visas to be processed in time. We recommend deciding on a tour at least 4-6 months before your departure date. Mosaic North Africa's partners in Algeria will send you the necessary paperwork to apply for your Algeria tourist visas as well as notify the Algerian embassy in your country about your visa application.

Will I be safe traveling in Algeria?

Algeria is often not on people's 'Must-See' list of places to visit due to assumed security concerns. While there are places in Algeria that are currently not recommended for travel (mostly in the deep South), the majority of Algeria is ready and waiting for your discovery. Armed guards and/or police escort accompany every tour while you are en-route during ground transportation and your site visits. These guards are required by the government and are there to put you at ease while you travel. In my experiences traveling in Algeria I have not had any safety concerns and enjoyed the friendly welcome and hospitality from the local police and population in general. In case of any unexpected security risks Mosaic North Africa will notify your group immediately and this will constitute a full trip refund (apart from International flight and visa fees).

Will we visit museums?

Algeria hosts magnificent museums that are bursting with incredible mosaics, statues, and other historical artifacts. It is important to note that many of the museums' written descriptions are in French and there is a no photography rule in most museums. If you would like special permission to photograph in a museum you will need to ask the museum director at the site if photographs are permitted. Your English-speaking guide will serve as a translator to make the experiences as meaningful as possible.

What method of transportation do you recommend traveling with in Algeria?

I have used all methods of transportation in Algeria. Flights within Algeria using Air Algiere are relatively inexpensive and provide a good service. It is important to be prepared for flight delays. Algeria is putting in a new train system, which many find to be both comfortable, and a great way to see the countryside. Depending on group size we have reliable ground transportation ranging from comfortable buses to smaller 15-passenger vehicles.

Will I have a guide or translator on the tour?

Yes, we provide either an English-speaking translator on your tour or an English speaking professional guide. Our English-speaking translator will travel with you for your tour and be available to help out where needed. Many site guides speak French or Arabic so our translator will do their best for you to understand the vast array of information on each site. If you are looking to have a professional English-speaking archeologist on your tour you may also enquire with us about this tour option. These tours will be more expensive, but the benefits for serious explorers can be well worth it. Both our translator and guides will be available to answer any of your questions and take care of any logistical details. Often by the end of a tour your guide and translator will become a great friend and unique bridge into local culture.

What are the things that I should not forget traveling in Algeria?

There are a few things to keep in mind when traveling in Algeria:

  • Come with an attitude and spirit of adventure. Algeria is awaiting your discovery. It is an amazing country with friendly people, stunning sites, and a rich culture.
  • You will find people are generally very hospitable and friendly
  • To help your travels go well, please follow existing regulations such as no photography in museums, no wandering on your own without a security escort, etc.
  • Be flexible. Mosaic North Africa will do everything possible to provide you and your group with an excellent tour, but there are things that you may not expect such as delays at police check points, flight delays, museums unexpectedly closed upon arrival, etc.
  • We recommend that all tours are either half-board or full-board and that evening meals be taken at your hotel.

How can I obtain Algerian Dinars?

The best way to get local currency, Algerian Dinars, is to bring Euros or US Dollars to exchange. The bank machines (ATMs) are not always reliable and you may not want to risk losing your card in a machine and spending a lot of time trying to retrieve it. Credit cards are also not yet widely accepted. Unlike Morocco or Tunisia, traditional wares and touristic shops are not very common in the country other than in the Algiers airport. It is also important to note that you can only exchange your remaining Algerian Dinars back to Euros or USD from the same bank you received your Dinars from originally. You will receive a receipt from the bank when you exchange your money and this must be kept if you are planning on exchanging back any remaining Dinars at the end of your trip. If you do not take a full-board tour you will only need money for lunches, site guide books (an optional purchase of about 500-600 Dinars per book of a few selected sites), beverages, souvenirs and tips. You may want to factor in between 10-20 USD per person per day of spending money.