Algieria

Drink

thumb|Tea in Sahara Algeria produces a modest range of wines and beers. Once renowned for its vineyards, the country still turns out some excellent reds, while local beers are generally well-made and widely enjoyed.

Algeria is a majority Muslim country, so you do not find alcohol sold everywhere, but it is not hard to find. Wine and alcoholic drinks are sold in the few bar restaurants in the big cities, better hotels, and night clubs. Some bar/restaurants can be found in nice parks, so if you are in a nice wooded park, look for the restaurants. The fast food restaurants that are open and affordable to the public do not sell beer, and the coffee shops do not sell alcohol. If you visit Algiers or coastal cities, there are fish restaurants in almost every fishing port, the fishing is traditional and the fish sold is very fresh; usually, these restaurants sell alcohol but you have to ask (do not expect to see it, some times it is on the menu, some times not).

Liquor stores are reasonably plentiful in large cities such as Algiers and Oran. You can buy bottles of Algerian wine there, but it may be easier to buy at the Algiers airport, though expect to pay per bottle. In smaller towns, buying alcoholic drinks can be challenging; you usually find them at the edge of the towns in sketchy areas.

Algerians tend to drink more heavily than many majority Muslim countries, but aside from strewn beer bottles, it is generally kept discreet. It is best for you to do likewise: drink like an…

Sleep

Since foreign tourism is still limited in Algeria, most hotels cater to domestic and business travelers. Mid-range and higher-end options are common, but service levels are generally below North American or European standards—think one star less than listed. Budget choices are few and often very basic, so low-cost travelers usually end up in the cheaper mid-range hotels. Outside the top tier, expect mattresses to be extremely firm.

During the summer season, which spans from June 15 to August 31, many property owners rent out houses and cottages along the Mediterranean Sea, particularly in the area from Port Say (Marsa Ben M'hidi) to El-Kala. Prices for these rentals vary depending on the number of rooms, usually ranging from per month, inclusive of electricity. It is advisable to make advance reservations through acquaintances or travel agencies to secure the desired accommodation. Additionally, many Algerians utilise internet ads for housing rentals, although it is recommended to send a trusted individual to inspect the property before making any payments, as some offers may appear attractive but prove to be deceptive.

Stay safe

Do not travel to or in Saharan Algeria overland if you have no experience with driving in desert areas or knowledge of Algerian roads. The area is sparsely populated (which means help is limited), and you can get lost easily if you don't know what you're doing. For this reason, access the area by plane.

Do not travel after nightfall; travel by plane if you can, instead of by car; travel with public transport; avoid minor roads; ask the police or gendarmes if you are unsure about your surroundings.

Travel is heavily discouraged for Jews, as anti-Semitism is ubiquitous in Algeria. Do not speak about any aspects of Judaism or Israel, and if you are Jewish, don't reveal it.

Stay healthy

Although Algeria has a universal healthcare system that covers all citizens and provides free medical care at public facilities, the public healthcare system is notorious for being poorly maintained; the system has been beset by underfunding, understaffing, overcrowding, corruption, and mismanagement. In addition, expect little to no help if you're not proficient in Arabic, French, or both. Medical care in Southern Algeria, particularly in the Sahara, is virtually non-existent. If you’re planning a trip to the area, bring your own medical supplies.

Algeria is sometimes struck by localized power cuts during summer in the south, which means that refrigerated foods may go bad. Therefore, you should keep that in mind when eating in restaurants, as the likelihood of getting food poisoning is always there.

Mosquitoes are also a problem in Algeria, but they are just a nuisance, as malaria is not common. In urban areas, there is periodic city-wide spraying against mosquitoes.

Do not expect very good water quality in southern Algeria. Buy bottles of water instead of drinking tap water: they are cheap at DA40 for 1.5L, so 5L of good water costs less than US$1.

Hygiene standards in Algeria are generally low, and litter is widespread—even in remote areas. While this is unlikely to pose a direct health risk, it can make public spaces unpleasant. Take normal precautions such as using hand sanitizer, avoiding contact with debris, and choosing cleaner-looking restaurants and accommodatio…

Respect

Algerians share a common culture with other North Africans and Arabs in the Gulf; therefore, much of what is considered good manners in the Arab world applies to Algeria.

Honour is an important cornerstone of Algerian culture and forms the basis of all relationships in the country. Algerians believe that turning down someone's request causes them to lose honour. Be smart about what you say openly — criticising someone in public or making someone look bad in front of others can cause an Algerian to lose their honour, i.e., lose face. While it's not a crime to publicly shame someone in Algeria, Algerians are generally remarkably sensitive to strongly worded comments and won't hesitate to react with anger if you do anything that makes them feel unvalued and disrespected.

Ask questions about or show some interest in Algerian history, geography, tourist attractions, and culture; this will get Algerians to like and respect you. As is the case anywhere, Algerians appreciate good comments about their country, customs, and culture.

Show respect to elders. Act politely around someone older than you or in a position of authority, and do not say or do anything that would make them feel challenged.

The terms "brother" and "sister" are often used to address people. They are not considered offensive.

Algerians generally value their privacy. That being said, it's not rude to ask if someone's married or if they have children.