Entry
Entry rules vary by passport, so ask at an Algerian consulate or embassy. Travellers who need a visa should apply early through an Algerian embassy. Documents usually asked for include a return ticket, photos, travel insurance, a passport with 6 months of validity, and either a hotel booking or an invitation. In the south, certain tours organised through an approved agency reportedly receive a visa upon arrival; confirm this with your operator. Before booking, verify all details with the Algerian embassy.
Culture and safety - take note
Conservative and Muslim, Algeria is hospitable and takes pride in its history. Dress modestly, keeping shoulders and knees covered. Friday-Saturday is the weekend, and Ramadan alters daily routines. Many people use Arabic and French. Carry cash in dinar, as cards are seldom accepted away from big hotels. Government, police and military sites must not be photographed, and people should be asked first before being photographed. Some governments warn against travelling close to the borders and in far-off parts of the Sahara; consult the travel advice from your own government plus other advisories, and in the south go only with an approved agency. Summers are very hot, halal food is available everywhere and alcohol is limited.
