Algeria a dangerous place to travel?

[AminainAmerica]

Assalamu alaykum.
I am an American women. I had no problems in Algeria during the three months that I was there. I stayed in Algiers, which was safe. We travelled up to the mountains to visit my hubby's relatives, and the only danger there was the drive. I'm in the car holding my daughter with my eyes closed reciting what little Qur'an I know over and over again. That was crazy, but alhamdullilah, it made me realize that I really need to learn more Qur'an before the next trip.
We went to Bejaia, which I heard horror stories about, but it was safe. We went to some Roman relics and I forgot the name of the place where they are at(next time I'm bringing a notebook to remember these places).
One incident happened when there was a "bomb scare" in a shopping area. In the US, when there is a bomb scare, the security escorts everyone out and there is relative calm. In Algeria, if you see a huge crowd running, my advice is join them. My huaband still laughs at me about how fast I can run. Anyway, the commotion died down quickly, and there was no bomb, just a prank by thieves. But still, I carry the memory of my "adventure".
Really, Algeria is probably as safe as the US at this time, so don't fret about safety.
Hope that helped.
Amina

[Hamza_London]

I think algeria is just getting safer and safer place to be,
the last time i was in algeria, i really can't remember the our house door has ever been closed, well its always open beacuse there is so few of us who has the keys so we keep the door open even at night

[Moorish]

I don't think it's all that bad. In all the times I've been, I've never had trouble (I was born there I live in the US now). Algiers is in some places pretty, but, its very dirty and there are lots of pick pockets as was said before. There is a nice monument to see there. Constantine is my home town. It's where my family is mostly, I visit them there whenever I go. It's not much to see though. Nice city though. Oran is very interesting as a city, wonderful beaches. Tlecmen is good too. The Tel is also a pretty place to go and see. Algeria isn't like Iraq. It's mostly safe now. "MISSION ACOMPLISHED" is true in Algeria, unlike Iraq. If you don't go to algeria, I recomend Tunisia. It has awsome beaches and is very clean, very modern and has the ruins of the ancient city of Carthage right near the capital. And, after you go there, you can see the Sahara after a short drive. ITs very small so you can see a lot in a short amount of time. Only thing is, they have a stupid dictator. He's not as bad as others are though (like the Gulf monarchs or Mubarak). I'm not sure if you're American or not or if you country lets to go to Liya, but that's also a hot spot IMO. I went there one time, to BEngazi and Tripoli...it's something. Top notch cities. Bengazi is the better of the two...its been fixed up really nice. I'd advise against Morocco. It's not that great. If you want to see very, very traditional Arab/Berber/Beduin ways go to Mauritania. Most folks are nomadic there and it has nice beaches. It's real real poor though. Westerners might not like it very muhc. Not very "modern". I thought it was really cool when I was there. I wouldn't say go to Egypt. Cairo is filled with poor people and pickpockets...it's as bad as some parts of Algiers. And the pyramids are not all that. I remember I went I was like..."ok". You can't even go into them usually. I would say top Arab countries to visit are Algeria, Tunisia, Syria (ASWOME COUNTRY), Libya and United Arab Emirates. I liked Syria best of all I think because you get to meet all kinds of Arabs, Christian, Muslim, Druze, you name it, Syria's got it. Plus people are very very friendly and you can mostly trust them...they'll invite you into their houses and you can meet some really cool people. Damascus is very pretty and old and it has it's share ofpickpockets but not so bad I don't think. I didn't lose anything, my grandpa did though. He lost a couple of dinars because he didn't keept them in his wallet in his coat pocket like he did w/ his other stuff. I went to Lebanon one time to see my cusin get married, te town we were in (can't rememer the name) was very pretty but most of the rest of the country is all messed up. In a few years I bet it was be back on top. Syria has some nice resorts in Latakia (Mediteranian coast between Turkey and Lebanon) I recomend that. So yeah. It just depends what you're looking for. Most Arab countries have their own thing to offer. Most have ruins you can see (be they Roman, Phoenesian, Carthaginian, Egyptian Arab w/e) and have their own local "thing" going on. Libya's very colorful and very diverse in origin. Lots of black Africans now, from Ghana and whatnot and they're well integrated. Everybody has a story to tell. Algeria has ruins, beaches, nice towns, the desert, and if you're into it you can visit a refugee came in Tindouf (if youre the humanitarian type). Egypt has it's stuff, Tunisia has it's SYria's got it's and so on. They're mostly safe too. Except you know, Sudan, Iraq, Lebanon (only some parts) and so on. But don't be scared cause it's just people. No worse than what you would find in Detroit or New York or Twin Cities or Paris or Rome. Danger is everywhere but it's in some places more than others. Algeria's safe right now mostly. It gets two thubs up from me to go to and so does Tunisia and Syria. If you're that worried, just go to another country and wait to go to Algeria.

[Nchair]

Algeria isn't like Iraq. It's mostly safe now. "MISSION ACOMPLISHED" is true in Algeria, unlike Iraq.

Did you say you were Algerian!!!..how can you even begin to compare Irak and Algeria! Irak is under occupation, with civil war, with many armed groups, kidnapping, total and utter destruction. Algeria is now mostly totally normal. The years of destruction are over, and yes left sequels like gangs an stuff in areas of cities not recommended, but eh!! I have lived and travelled in europe for yeeers and there is not a city without those areas. Wherever you are common sense is required.

If you don't go to algeria, I recomend Tunisia. It has awsome beaches and is very clean, very modern and has the ruins of the ancient city of Carthage right near the capital

Now now, Tunisia!! i have nothing (officially anyway) against Tunisia but basically its like a big tourist resort, not need to travel miles to see it (if you are American you can just go to DisneyLand), as for Carthage!! you must be on something, there IS NOTHING LEFT. It was the greatest civilisation that was close to demolishing Rome, but Rome won and then made sure it obliterated Carthage and its History. The current Tunisian momenclatura made sure each had a piece of what was left of carthage (I was invited in a few homes and there was more there than Carthage).
SO, NO Tunisia for a real North African Experience. yes for sun sea and sand!! but that yu cna get anywhere..

cheers

[Moorish]

"Did you say you were Algerian!!!..how can you even begin to compare Irak and Algeria! Irak is under occupation, with civil war, with many armed groups, kidnapping, total and utter destruction. Algeria is now mostly totally normal. The years of destruction are over, and yes left sequels like gangs an stuff in areas of cities not recommended, but eh!! I have lived and travelled in europe for yeeers and there is not a city without those areas. Wherever you are common sense is required."

Thats what I was saying. There isn't the kinds of problems in Algeria like Iraq. Everyone tries to say that it is deterioratiing or there are terrorists all over, but there aren't. There nothing to be afraid of.

On Carthage, when I went, it was mad cool. I liked the little bit of ruins that were there. I'm a history buff. I didn't see any terrorists when I was there, but then, I wan't looking. Where in Tunisia were you? It seemed fine to me...

[HOUDA-K]

Just FYI, after 4 years of this post, the FCO have reviewed there advice and reissued with an amendment to the Terrorism section. The overall level of the advice has not changed for travelling to Algeria. Have a read :

SUMMARY

We advise against all travel to the south eastern provinces of Tamanrasset, Djanet and Illizi until further notice. The kidnapping of a number of groups of foreign tourists in the desert and mountainous region of south east Algeria in 2003 underlined the dangers to travellers in that region.

There is a continuing threat from terrorism in Algeria.

Algeria faces a serious internal security problem from terrorist insurgency.

Travellers by road in northern Algeria are at risk of attack by terrorist groups. One of these groups recently issued an explicit threat to target non-Muslims.

If you are planning to travel to Algeria, you should be very careful about your personal security arrangements throughout your visit.

Crimes against individuals, such as assaults and muggings, are on the increase in urban areas.

We strongly recommend that comprehensive travel and medical insurance is obtained before travelling.


LOCAL TRAVEL

If you are travelling to Algeria you should seek the advice of your hosts about appropriate security measures. You should arrange to be met on arrival and in Algiers and should stay at one of the main hotels that take proper security precautions.

You should not use public transport other than taxis recommended by your hotel. Travel by road outside Algiers in northern Algeria should be avoided, especially after dark, as buses and other vehicles have been attacked, sometimes at false vehicle checkpoints. You should, if possible, make such journeys by air and stay in secure accommodation at your destination. You should avoid the Casbah and the outer suburbs of Algiers. Business visitors without established contacts should seek advice in the first instance from the British Embassy, Algiers or the Algeria desk in UK Trade and Investment.

Following the kidnapping of tourists in the desert and mountainous region of south east Algeria in 2003, travel in that area remains potentially hazardous.

[Hmed_25]

Thanks Houda for the info! It's hard for people who wish to visit Algeria to find out info about the current situation due to lack of information sources!