Jordan is a wonderful travel destination. It has otherworldly landscapes, a long and complex history, a unique culture, beaches in the south, the dead sea in the west, deserts, and of course, one of the new seven wonders of the world – Petra. In this article, we want to explore everything you need to know before traveling to Jordan.

Jordan is an outstanding destination for traveling independently, making the most of what the country has to offer. And believe me, that’s enough!

To help you have a dream trip, we have organized this guide with 50 travel tips covering all the topics important for anyone visiting Jordan, including safety, how to travel, costs, what to see, what to bring, people, and culture, among many other topics.

Before going to Jordan, we also advise you to read: What is Jordan famous for?

Jordan and the Jordanians

Where is Jordan?

#1 Jordan is situated in western Asia, in the middle east, at the crossroads between Europe, Asia, and Africa. It is bathed by the sea by the Red Sea in the Gulf of Aqaba (to the south). It borders the West Bank, Israel, Syria, Saudi Arabia, and Iraq. Egypt is on the other side of the Gulf of Aqaba, but it does not border Jordan because, in between, we have Eilat, Israel.

#2 Jordan is a semi-arid country, marked mainly by the desert. About 75% of its 89,213km 2 area is occupied by desert.

Thus, it is a relatively small country with dimensions similar to Portugal. Since the roads are reasonable, it is possible to travel from north to south in one day, making it possible to visit a good portion of the country in just a few days. Though, we recommend 10-15 days to explore Jordan, or a week for those who only want to see the main attractions.

Who are the Jordanians?

#3 Jordan has a population of just over 11 million, most of it in the capital Amman. Almost the entire population is Sunni Muslim, but there is a small Christian minority. An inhabitant of Jordan is called a Jordanian.

#4 A large part of Jordan’s population is a refugee or has refugee origin. It is estimated that around 2.1 million Palestinians and 1.4 million Syrians arrived in Jordan as refugees. In addition to the thousands of Christians who fled Iraq after being persecuted by the Islamic State.

Altogether, that’s about 1/3 of the population. Despite these very high numbers, Jordan continues to receive refugees, which puts some pressure on its infrastructure.

#5 The Queen Consort of Jordan, one of Jordan’s most famous and popular personalities, is of Palestinian origin, having fled Kuwait to Jordan during the Gulf War.

Queen Ranya is a well-known personality internationally as she is very active in social and economic causes, particularly in topics such as microcredit, education, the environment, and intercultural dialogue.

Is it easy to interact with the locals?

#6 Jordan’s official language is modern Arabic, although several local Arabic dialects exist.

A large part of the population also speaks English, as it’s the language most used in some sectors, such as banking, commerce, and, of course, tourism. So, in most situations, you won’t have any problems communicating with the locals if you speak English. There are, however, exceptions, and there are people involved in tourism who speak little English, especially in less popular areas.

#7 Contact and interaction with Jordanians is pleasant. Most of them are very friendly and try to help whenever possible.

They are also innate sellers and naturally try to offer their services, whether in restaurants, shops, souvenirs, taxis, or guides. On the other hand, they accept very graciously when we refuse and are not too pushy.

#8 In virtually all interactions we ever had in Jordan, we felt that they like to receive and that visitors feel good. And that turns out to be one of the significant advantages of traveling to Jordan.

One of the phrases we hear the most in Jordan is “Welcome to Jordan.” It’s said pretty much every time they say goodbye or realize that we’re not interested in buying anything.

Climate in Jordan

#9 The climate in Jordan varies significantly across the territory but even more so throughout the year. Though, it follows some easy rules.

Summers are scorching, with average maximum temperatures reaching 36ºC in July and August, while winters are much cooler or even colder, with minimum temperatures well below 10ºC. It is even colder in the high areas, so it snows often. Note that 36º is the average, it can easily reach 45º on some days.

Precipitation occurs almost entirely in winter, so the other seasons are quite dry. It rains much more in the west, in the Jordan Valley than in the east, where the climate is desert.

Jordan is also very mountainous, with an average elevation above 800 meters. Hence, temperatures are often a few degrees lower than expected if we were at sea level.

When is the best time to travel to Jordan

#10 Given the hellish temperatures that can be reached at the height of summer, the best time to visit Jordan is in April, May, and October. During these months, the temperatures are already high and pleasant for outdoor activities, but they usually don’t reach 35, 40, and sometimes 45ºC, which you’ll get in July/August.

Even if you want to take a beach holiday on the Red Sea, it is advisable to avoid peak summer. It is already good in April and early May, and from October to mid-November, the conditions are ideal with still warm seas and pleasant air temperatures. In winter, the temperatures don’t drop much by the sea, but maybe they are a bit too low to go to the beach.

Jordan culture and society

#11 One of the must-see experiences in Jordan is staying in one of the many Bedouin camps in the deserts, especially in Wadi Rum.

The Bedouins are a people who inhabit the deserts of the Middle East and North Africa, constituting about 10% of the inhabitants of the Middle East. With 1.3 Million, Jordan has the fourth-largest population of Bedouins in the world.

#12 Jordan is a very recent country that only became independent in the 20th century, but its history is long, complex, and fascinating.

Located at the crossroads of the Middle East, between Europe, Asia, and Africa, the lands where Jordan is currently located have always played a pivotal role in the development of civilization. Thus, we can find Greek, Roman, Ottoman, Byzantine, and Nabatean ruins.

Its geographic position remains strategic; therefore, the kingdom is fundamental to the region. In this sense, Jordan has maintained moderate, dynamic, and peace-mediating positions.

#13 As mentioned above, Jordan is a Muslim-majority country with a relatively small Christian population.

It is clearly a conservative country, but it is not fundamentalist. We would even say it is one of the most moderate in the region. As you would expect, you can see many women in traditional clothes, with scarves covering their hair, but others wearing western clothes and even without the typical scarf.

#14 Despite this moderation, we suggest you dress conservatively, without revealing clothes. Both men and women.

However, we also saw a lot of tourists wearing miniskirts, short shorts, and skimpy tops. Without ever noticing any problems. There might be some prying eyes, but we’ve never seen anything beyond that.

It’s more about adapting and respecting the local customs than an obligation.

Is it safe to travel in Jordan?

#15 Generally speaking, yes, it is quite safe to travel in Jordan. Despite this, we must always take the general rules of caution and common sense. If you do, you will hardly encounter any problems. There is a lot of police and even military presence, but they usually don’t bother tourists.

Although some crime and poverty are visible in some places, we never felt unsafe. Whenever we were approached, it was politely, kindly, and sometimes even to offer some kind of help.

World nomads consider Jordan one of the safest countries in the region for women to travel alone and, therefore an excellent option for those who want to visit the Middle East.

Jordan Travel and Tourism

Tourism and Tourists

#16 Tourism is one of Jordan’s industries – it is the primary export sector and the second-largest private sector, contributing around USD 800 million to the economy, corresponding to 10% of GDP.

This is still a growing trend. There are still plenty of places that can and will be further explored. The growth of international flights to Jordan, namely with the increasing presence of low-cost flights from Ryanair and Wizzair, suggests a substantial expansion in tourism.

#17 In Jordan, there are 6 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Some are extremely well known, others not so much. Except for Wadi Rum, a mixed heritage site, all the others are cultural heritage sites. Here is the list:

• Petra (1985)
• Quseir Amra (1985)
• Um er-Rasas (Kastrom Mefa’a) (2004)
• Wadi Rum (2011)
• “Bethany Beyond the Jordan” (Al-Maghtas)(2015) – Place of Christ’s baptism
• As-Salt – The place of tolerance and urban hospitality. (2021)

You can see all the information about the UNESCO World Heritage Sites here.

What to visit in Jordan

#18 Amman is the capital of Jordan and the gateway to the country for most people. There is also the Aqaba airport in the south, or the possibility to enter through Israel and Palestine, but they are far lesser used.

As a tourist destination, Amman is a bit underwhelming. It has some interesting places like the citadel and the Roman theater, but you can see those in a few hours. On the other hand, it’s a great place to try fabulous Levantine and Jordanian food, but we’ll talk more about that below.

We do not advise you to stay in Amman for more than 1 or 2 days unless you plan to use it as a base and have day trips to other destinations such as Jerash, Madaba, the Dead Sea, etc. It’s a very common plan, especially for those who prefer to take tours and not drive a lot.

Have a look at the 20 most famous landmarks in Jordan

#19 Jerash is known for its archaeological park and it is one of the most popular day trips from Amman. Despite not being a UNESCO heritage site, it is an incredible place; it is not just the ruin of a monument but an entire city that was abandoned in the 8th century after several earthquakes.

In Jerash, you will find several monuments, colonnaded streets, a monumental oval square, several pagan and Christian temples, the Nymphaeum, the hippodrome, and two amphitheaters. The entire archaeological site is enormous with several km, so be prepared to walk a lot, and if it’s the hot season, prepare for the heat because there are few shades.

#20 Madaba is perhaps our favorite city in Jordan. Despite not having the great monuments and attractions of other places, it is a charming city, cleaner than other cities, and great for wandering around.

Madaba is mainly known for being the land of traditional mosaics. You will find several monuments with mosaics, and several ancient pieces of high value have been discovered. The best known is undoubtedly the Map of Madaba, which is in the Byzantine Church of St. George in Madaba, but many others exist in the city center.

Mabada’s location, very close to the airport but also at a relatively short distance from the monuments to the north and the Dead Sea, turn it into an excellent starting point for several day trips.

#21 Located between Israel, Palestine, and Jordan, the Dead Sea is undoubtedly one of the world’s natural wonders. Known for its waters with a very high salt concentration (about ten times more than the ocean), the Dead Sea allows you to float without difficulty. The concentration of salt also prevents the existence of life in its waters.

The shores of the Dead Sea are also considered the lowest altitude place on earth as they are about 400 m below sea level.

For all this, the Dead Sea is one of the most popular destinations in Jordan, but unfortunately, it is not the best explored. There are no official public beaches, so to go there you either have to enter one of the various resorts and pay a high fee (30 Euros per person was the lowest we found) or go to one of the wild beaches.

#22 We’re not at all saying not to go to the Dead Sea. Going to the lowest place in the world, floating in its waters, feeling and seeing all that salt, is a memorable experience and not to be missed. But we have to point out that the accesses to the “unofficial” beaches require a walk down to the water level in a heat that can be devastating. Furthermore, there are no shades or showers to remove the salt (believe us, it is necessary), making everything a little more complicated.

If you want to try “swimming” in the dead sea, it is perfectly possible, but it is much more complicated or expensive than on the Israeli side, where there is at least one free public beach with all the needed amenities. In this sense, Israel is far superior to Jordan.

#23 Still, on the shores of the Dead Sea, we find one of our favorite activities in Jordan, the Wadi Mujib walk, called the Siq Trail / Siq trail.

The walk is relatively short at about 3 km (1.5+1.5 km), but it is spectacular as it is done on the river bed. Thus, it has to be done with water shoes; it involves diving into the water, climbing stairs, holding on to ropes, and even sliding on rocks.

Although it is an authentic adventure, it is safe and can be done by anyone in good physical shape, as it is not too hard. Note, however, that during the winter, it is not possible to do this activity as it is closed due to the high flow levels of the river.

#24 Due to its long and troubled past, Jordan is also a land with immense castles built at different times. Exploring them is like walking through history. Some of the castles worth visiting are:

• Ajloun Castle
• Shobak Castle
• Karak Castle
• Amra Castle
• Kharana Castle

#25 Wadi Rum is our favorite tourist attraction in Jordan. It’s a unique place – out of this world even. To visit, it is necessary to book a tour because we are talking about a desert and it is highly discouraged to wander there alone, without a guide.

The best way to visit Wadi Rum is to book one of the many two (or more) day tours where you take a 4×4 tour for the first day, then spend the night in a Bedouin camp, and the next day breakfast is served, and we return to the village.

The duration and price of the tour vary a lot, but we highly recommend a tour that includes a full day, overnight stay, and all the meals. We stayed at the Wadi Rum Fire Camp and were completely satisfied.

In addition to the Jeep tour, it is possible to add camel riding, balloon flights, sleeping in the desert, etc. There are loads of activities, and the desert is absolutely stunning. If you don’t want to spend the night at the camp, taking day trips from Aqaba, Petra, and Eilat is possible.

#26 Petra is Jordan’s most famous site. It has been a UNESCO heritage site since 1985, and in 2007 it was considered one of the new seven wonders of the world. Jordan would be worth a trip just to visit Petra, but luckily Jordan has a lot more to offer.

More than just a monument, Petra is (was) a city – it was the capital of the Nabataean Kingdom – so the attractions are spread over several kilometers. The archaeological park is enormous – be prepared to walk a lot. But if you don’t want to, you can do part of the route by donkey, camel, or golf cart. Allow at least one full day to visit Petra.

The Treasure Chamber is Petra’s best-known monument, but there are many other places to visit. The access to Petra is stunning, made in a tight canyon with strong colors. We also have the monastery at the other end of the park, the royal tombs, the various temples, the Byzantine church, and the typical colonized streets.

Petra is the most famous landmark in Jordan. Have a look at 20 of the others, to help you plan your trip.

#27 Finally, Aqaba, the city in southern Jordan and the only access to the sea. The main attraction of Aqaba is that the sea! The warm sea, the corals, and the possibility of diving or snorkeling in the Gulf of Aqaba.

Unfortunately, the beaches in the city of Aqaba aren’t great, a little dirty, and even wearing a bikini is inadvisable. On the other hand, in South Beach, there are some resorts and public beaches that are much nicer. It is also where the best snorkeling and diving spots can be found. Snorkeling is not top-notch, but it is well worth a try for those who enjoy this type of activity.

One last note about the heat. Aqaba is an extremely hot place, and in summer, it is impossible to be in the sun. If you want to enjoy Aqaba, go during the mid-season or even winter, when temperatures are cooler.

Eating and Drinking in Jordan

#28 Jordanian food is a mixture of Levantine and Bedouin cuisine. Some of the most common dishes are similar to those from other Middle Eastern countries, but other dishes are almost exclusively Jordanian, such as Mansaf.

Middle Eastern (and Jordanian) cuisine is one of our favorites due to the exemplary use of some vegetables, such as eggplant and chickpeas. Bread is also essential and appears in almost every meal.

#29 One of the secrets of Jordanian (and Middle Eastern) cuisine is Za’atar – a popular spice mix that appears in almost every meal.

Za’atar is a spice blend used in much of Jordan’s most delicate dishes. In addition to hyssop, which is also known as za’atar, this mixture includes sumac, sesame, and some salt. However, there are many variations, some also include oregano and coriander. It is excellent for adding to olive oil and bread.

We liked Za’atar so much that we brought a kilo in our suitcase to cook at home.

#30 When you’re in Jordan, enjoy eating local food, it’s much cheaper, and as we’ve just explained, it’s delicious. Moreover, much of it is also fast and street food, making it an excellent choice for tourists and those in a hurry.

So, some of the dishes not to be missed in Jordan are:

• Falafel
• Hummus
• Shawarma
• Mansaf
• Zarb
• Maqluba
• Foul
• Baba ganoush
• Moutabel
• Galayet Bandora
• Tabouleh

Note that the spelling of the names can vary greatly due to the translation between the Arabic and Roman alphabets.

#31 For those who like sweets, Jordan (as well as Israel and especially Palestine) has a delicious secret called Kanafeh. Honestly, we can’t understand how Kanafeh isn’t more well-known and popular worldwide because it’s undoubtedly one of the best things we’ve ever tasted. Anywhere!

Kanafeh is a dessert made with white cheese, a dough called kataifi (similar to vermicelli but much thinner), dipped in sugar syrup. It’s freshly made and served hot, with pistachios on top. It’s sensational.

#32 However, there are many other sweets to satisfy our gluttony, namely the Arabic sweets – typical in the Middle East and Turkey.

These sweets are usually found in specialty stores that only sell candy and cookies, and they are delicious and also very affordable. In convenience stores, there are also some packaged versions and even some ice cream flavored with these goodies.

Some suggestions not to be missed:

• Baklava
• Hareeseh
• Halva
• Qatayef
• Ma’amoul
• Barazek

#33 Tea and coffee are fundamental aspects of Bedouin and Jordanian culture, namely their hospitality. Prepare to be offered tea and coffee in every hotel, and sometimes even in some shops and restaurants.

In some cases, it will be a way to attract your attention; in others, it is simply their need to please and serve with quality. There are also shops selling tea and coffee everywhere. You will find several on the same street and even along the national roads and highways.

In Jordan, it is customary to choose between Arabic Coffee and Turkish Coffee. Arabic coffee is typical of the Bedouins and consists of coffee roasted over a fire with cardamom and served in small quantities (like an espresso). In contrast, Turkish coffee is much stronger and similar to coffee in Turkey, with those final lees.

On the other hand, tea is usually black and typically flavored with mint and sage but sometimes also with cinnamon. It is quite sweet, as it is served with sugar, usually with a lot of sugar.

#34 Since Jordan is a predominantly Muslim country, we also have to talk about alcohol. Despite 90% of the population being Muslim and culturally conservative, alcohol is much more tolerated in Jordan than in other countries.

In fact, it can be consumed freely in restaurants and bars, but it is more expensive than in western countries. Note, however, that drinking alcohol on the street is illegal and can even lead to arrest. Also, drink responsibly, as drunk people are frowned upon.

Money and costs of traveling to Jordan

#35 The official currency of Jordan is the Jordanian Dinar, and its exchange rate is from 1 Dinar to about 1.41 USD. The exchange rate of the Dinar is pegged to the USD.

Although some places accept Euros and USD, we strongly advise you always use the local currency. The implied exchange rate will always be very unfavorable if using foreign currency to make payments in Jordan.

#36 We suggest you always have cash with you, as many shops/restaurants do not accept cards or charge an extra fee for payment by card (1 or 2% typically). So, get cash and get used to dinar notes and coins quickly.

#37 Fortunately, there are plenty of ATMs in big cities, so making withdrawals won’t be difficult. Note, however that the cash withdrawal fees in Jordan are among the highest we have ever seen – they range from 4 to 8 JD (ie, 5.3 to 10.7 Euros).

As they are fixed amounts, regardless of the amount withdrawn, withdrawing large amounts reduces the commissions paid.

How much does it cost to travel to Jordan?

#38 This is the most challenging question to answer as it depends a lot on the type of traveler you are and the experiences you are looking for. We can, however share how much we spent and the kind of travelers we are.

As independent travelers and always traveling by rental car, we spent 1504 euros in ten days, that is, 752 per person, or 75.2 euros per person per day. We are including everything except flights. So, travel insurance, visas, hotels, restaurants, transport, attractions, souvenirs, and everything else you can imagine are included in this cost. However, it is a very high value, way above what we usually spend.

#39 Thus, we consider Jordan a very expensive country to travel to (similar to Israel, for example), mainly due to the price of tourist attractions and the visa. The visa costs 40 JOD (more than 50 Euros), while the main attractions are almost all costly, namely Petra, Wadi Rum, and Wadi Mujib.

Best tricks to save on a trip to Jordan

#40 First of all, accept that Jordan is a relatively expensive destination. Otherwise, you won’t enjoy the trip, especially since it’s the activities and tourist attractions that weigh the most on the costs. Fortunately, there are some ways to save money on a trip to Jordan, such as:

• Buy the Jordan Pass – Although very expensive, it gives access to almost all the main attractions (including Jerash, Petra, and Wadi Rum) and includes the visa cost.
• The best way to save on food is undoubtedly eating local street food, especially mezze and vegetarian dishes. Enjoy them because they are delicious 🙂
• Another option is to book accommodation with a kitchen and try to save on some meals, namely breakfast.
• Except for Wadi Rum, avoid organized tours and travel independently. Most tours are really expensive, but if you want to book one, check here!
• Accommodation in Jordan has very distinct prices. Larger hotels are expensive, but there are hostels and local accommodations at very low prices in almost every city. But, not in the Dead Sea…
• As long as there are no additional costs, pay directly with your card and avoid some withdrawal costs.

Is it necessary to tip in Jordan?

#41 No. We didn’t feel any pressure to tip, nor did we feel that it was expected. The only exception is the organized tours where it is customary to tip the guide, but this happens in virtually every country in the world.

Of course, if you feel that someone has provided you with exemplary service, a tip is always welcome.

How to travel in Jordan?

#42 In Jordan, we chose to only travel by car. We do not use public transport as we rented the car at the airport and delivered it back on the last day. Thus, we cannot give great tips on how public transport works.

The main reason to use a car is the freedom and flexibility it allows. Some attractions would be very difficult to visit by public transport. The other option would be to establish bases and take tours to your desired destinations. However, this option is much more expensive and less flexible.

Things to know about renting a car in Jordan

#43 Renting a car in Jordan is not exactly cheap, but there are some good deals. And if compared to taking tours, then it is much cheaper, especially if it is a family trip or a group of 3-5 people.

So, and since our suggestion is to rent a car to get to know Jordan, let’s explore what you need to know to travel in Jordan by car:

• The car rental process is quite simple and similar to other countries. We didn’t come across any relevant specifics.
• The roads are reasonable – they are paved and can be done with any vehicle. But there are a few that have potholes, and therefore attention is always needed.
• We suggest you hire a car with a powerful engine as the terrain in Jordan is quite hilly and steep.
• Hiring a 4×4 car is unnecessary, but it will definitely make the trip more comfortable.
• The Jordanians are kind and amicable people, except when they are behind the wheel. They are one of the worst drivers we come across. From not following traffic rules to doing a lot of dangerous stunts. In cities it’s much worse, on national roads it’s calmer.
• Jordanians love to honk! They honk because yes, and why not… so, when driving, have patience, lots of patience; of the countries we visited, we only found worse in Angola and Southeast Asia.
• There are no tolls in Jordan.
• Fuel in Jordan is relatively cheap. Not as much as in countries that have oil, but much more affordable than in Western Europe( though that’s not difficult).
• Parking is relatively easy almost everywhere. The worst place to park is right in the center of Amman; otherwise, it was always easy to find free spots. There are always parks at tourist attractions, and in our experience, there were always plenty of spots.

Other things you need to know before traveling to Jordan

Do I need an adapter in Jordan?

#44 If you come from continental Europe, you probably don’t need an adapter. In Jordan, the sockets are type C, D, F, G, and J, with a voltage of 230 V and a frequency of 50Hz.

Type C sockets are the European ones, and therefore the same as those in Portugal. Types E and F work with Type C jacks.

If you need to buy an adapter, we suggest this one…

What to buy in Jordan?

#45 Jordan is a country full of peculiarities and culturally very different from Europe and the USA. So, buying souvenirs turns out to be easy and fun. Despite being an expensive destination globally, most souvenirs are relatively cheap and easy to buy in the many shops and markets. Our suggestions:

• Keffiyeh – the typical square scarf folded and worn around the head by the men of the region. The most common colors are red and white and black and white.
• Dried fruits and fruits – You will find delicious dried fruits in the markets. Here we have to highlight the dates, as they are some of the best we’ve ever eaten.
• Spices – Another thing you’ll find in every market is spices. These are a must-have gift for any foodie. Among the hundreds of herbs and mixtures, we have to highlight Za’atar – a mixture of spices used in Middle Eastern cuisine and sumac, a spice widely used in Jordan.
• Dead Sea Products – The Dead Sea produces many unique and quality products, among which we highlight: cooking salt, dead sea mud, bath salts, and a multitude of beauty creams.
• Sand in the bottle – one of the most popular souvenirs in Jordan. The sand is placed in the bottles to form picturesque images.
• Mosaics from Madaba – in Madaba, there is a vast diversity of products made with or in mosaics, from fridge magnets to living room tables.
• Religious Artifacts – Jordan is a Christian pilgrimage site, the baptism site of Jesus Christ is situated on the Jordan River bank in Jordan. When you visit, you can dip a small souvenir in the river.

What to pack on a trip to Jordan?

#46 Jordan offers many things to see and activities to do, so each trip requires a detailed list. We will explore some of the basic things that any traveler to Jordan will need and focus on something for a trip with warm weather, as we’ve never been to Jordan in winter.

• Casual and comfortable clothing – Remember to wear conservative clothing, so you don’t stand out too much in the crowd. Jordan is one of the most liberal Muslim countries but still very conservative.
• Sunglasses – In case we haven’t been clear about this, it’s very hot and sunny in Jordan 🙂
• Sunscreen – In the summer, it is mandatory, but we suggest that you always take it, regardless of the time of year you go.
• Hat – for the same reasons as sunglasses and sunscreen.
• Flip Flops and/or Sandals – these will be useful almost daily, whether for a walk or shower…
• Water shoes – essential for anyone going on the trail in Wadi Mujib and very useful on the beach, snorkeling in Aqaba, and in the Dead Sea.
• Power Bank – while traveling, you can be without access to electricity for long periods. A power bank can become your best friend.
• Travel pillow – this will be especially useful during the flight to Jordan as it can be pretty long and night. See our full article on travel pillows here.
• Snorkeling equipment – Aqaba has good snorkeling spots and is right next to the beach. If you bring your own equipment, you don’t need to rent it. Every time you go snorkeling, you’ll save money.
• Small backpack – Jordan is a great destination for short getaways, trails, tours, etc. We strongly advise you to take a small backpack to use on those days and not always have to carry the big one.

Do I need a visa to enter Jordan?

#48 Yes, a visa is required to enter Jordan. But most travelers can apply for a visa on arrival, including most European countries and the USA. This one costs 40 JOD. See here for the complete list as well as the updated rules.

Please note that if you buy the Jordan Pass, the visa on arrival is included for those who spend at least three nights in Jordan, so the visa is free. As mentioned above, in addition to saving the 40 JOD on the visa, it includes tickets to Petra, Jerash, Wadi Rum, and many other tourist attractions. It is great value for money.

How is the Internet in Jordan?

#48 In Jordan, you will find internet everywhere. All hostels, hotels, and guest houses have free WIFI. Most restaurants and bars also offer WIFI to customers.

However, if this doesn’t work for you, you can always buy a SIM card with data. We advise you to do it directly at the airport as it is very convenient and fast. For 15 JODs, you have an Orange card with calls and 10 GB of data. It is possible to find it cheaper in the cities, but you will have to search, waste time, and it won’t be available upon arrival.

Is Jordan clean?

#49 No, unfortunately not. This is one of the most negative aspects of any trip to Jordan, and it’s good to be prepared for it. Jordan is one of the dirtiest countries we have ever visited, and the responsibility lies with the local mentality and probably also with lousy waste management.

Given what we’ve seen, the problem seems to be mainly cultural – people don’t even think about it and throw everything on the floor, especially plastics. The consequence is very dirty cities, fields full of plastics, and basically garbage everywhere.

The cleanest places are tourist attractions, but even there, it varies a little; some are much dirtier than others. In terms of the cities, the center of Madaba is undoubtedly one of the cleanest we know, which is one of the reasons it has become one of our favorite cities in the country.

Jordan Travel Guide

#50 The Jordan travel guide we recommend is Lonely Planet Jordan 11 (Travel Guide). It is quite recent and therefore the information is up to date.

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