Jordan – Destination Guide

Jordan is a small country with an outsized sense of wonder, a place where ancient civilisations, dramatic desert landscapes, and warm hospitality come together in a way few destinations can match. Within a few hours of driving you can move from the rose-coloured tombs of Petra to the wide silence of Wadi Rum, from the salt-crusted shores of the Dead Sea to the Roman colonnades of Jerash. For a country roughly the size of a single Australian state, the variety packed into it is remarkable.

This is a land shaped by trade routes, empires, and faith. Nabataeans, Romans, Byzantines, and Ottomans all left their mark, and the result is an open-air museum of ruins and relics set against a backdrop of canyons, deserts, and the lowest point on Earth. Yet Jordan is far from being only about the past. Modern Amman buzzes with cafes, galleries, and a young creative scene, while adventure travellers come for canyoning in Wadi Mujib, diving in the Red Sea, and trekking the long-distance Jordan Trail.

What lingers most for travellers, though, is the welcome. Jordanians have a deserved reputation for generosity, and an invitation to sweet tea or a shared meal is part of everyday travel here. Safe, compact, and endlessly photogenic, Jordan rewards anyone willing to slow down and let its layers of history and landscape reveal themselves.

🗺️ Regions to Explore

Amman and the North

Jordan’s capital and the green, hilly country that stretches toward the Syrian border.

• Exploring the Amman Citadel and Roman Theatre
• Wandering the cafes and galleries of Jabal Amman and Rainbow Street
• Visiting the vast Roman ruins of Jerash
• Seeing the Crusader castle at Ajloun
• Sampling street food in the downtown souks

Petra and the South

The heartland of Nabataean civilisation and Jordan’s most famous landscapes.

• Walking the Siq to reach the Treasury at Petra
• Climbing to the Monastery for sweeping views
• Experiencing Petra by Night under candlelight
• Exploring the smaller site of Little Petra
• Day trips to the desert town of Shobak

Wadi Rum

A vast protected desert of sandstone towers, red dunes, and Bedouin camps.

• Taking a 4WD safari across the desert floor
• Scrambling up rock arches and viewpoints
• Sleeping under the stars at a Bedouin camp
• Riding camels through the dunes at sunset
• Rock climbing and hiking among the massifs

The Dead Sea and Jordan Valley

The lowest point on Earth, fringed by resorts, hot springs, and dramatic canyons.

• Floating in the mineral-rich waters of the Dead Sea
• Coating yourself in therapeutic Dead Sea mud
• Canyoning through the gorge at Wadi Mujib
• Visiting the baptism site of Bethany Beyond the Jordan
• Relaxing at the hot springs of Ma’in

Aqaba and the Red Sea

Jordan’s only coastline, a relaxed port city with warm water and coral reefs.

• Snorkelling and diving among Red Sea coral gardens
• Glass-bottom boat trips over reefs and wrecks
• Strolling Aqaba’s waterfront promenade
• Using Aqaba as a gateway to nearby Wadi Rum
• Enjoying fresh seafood along the harbour

🎒 Things To Do

• Walk through the Siq to discover Petra’s Treasury at sunrise
• Sleep in a Bedouin camp and stargaze in Wadi Rum
• Float effortlessly in the Dead Sea and bathe in its mud
• Explore the Roman ruins of Jerash, among the best preserved in the world
• Canyon through the waterfalls and pools of Wadi Mujib
• Dive or snorkel the Red Sea coral reefs off Aqaba
• Hike a section of the long-distance Jordan Trail
• Wander Amman’s downtown souks, citadel, and Roman Theatre
• Visit Mount Nebo for views toward the Holy Land
• See the Crusader castles at Karak, Shobak, and Ajloun

🍽️ Food & Drink

Jordanian cuisine is generous, communal, and built on fresh ingredients, slow-cooked meats, and an abundance of herbs and spices. Meals are an occasion, and sharing many small dishes is the norm.

• Mansaf, the national dish of lamb cooked in fermented yoghurt over rice
• Maqluba, a layered upside-down dish of meat, rice, and vegetables
• Mezze spreads of hummus, baba ganoush, falafel, and fresh bread
• Knafeh, a warm dessert of cheese and shredded pastry soaked in syrup
• Strong cardamom-spiced Arabic coffee and sweet mint tea
• Fresh seafood in Aqaba, grilled and served simply

🌦️ Weather

Jordan has a dry, Mediterranean-influenced climate with hot summers and cool winters, though conditions vary sharply between the highlands, the desert, and the low-lying Jordan Valley.

• Summers (June – August) are hot and dry, often 30-35°C in Amman and far hotter in the desert and Dead Sea areas
• Winters (December – February) are cool, with Amman averaging 5-15°C and occasional snow at higher elevations
• The Dead Sea and Aqaba stay warm year-round, rarely dropping much below 20°C in winter
• Desert nights, even in summer, can be surprisingly cold, so layers are essential
• Rainfall is concentrated in winter and is generally light, with arid conditions for most of the year

📅 Best Time To Visit

March – May (Spring)

• Mild, comfortable temperatures ideal for sightseeing and hiking
• Wildflowers bloom across the northern hills
• One of the most popular periods, so book accommodation early

September – November (Autumn)

• Warm days and cooler evenings make for excellent travel conditions
• Smaller crowds than spring at major sites
• Comfortable for desert camping and long days at Petra

June – August (Summer) and December – February (Winter)

• Summer brings intense desert heat, best for early starts and Aqaba beach time
• Winter is cool and quiet, with the lowest crowds but chilly highland conditions
• Both seasons offer lower prices and a more relaxed pace

🎒 Packing List

• Lightweight, breathable layers for hot days and cool evenings
• A warm jacket or fleece for desert nights and winter travel
• Comfortable, sturdy walking shoes for ruins and rocky trails
• Modest clothing that covers shoulders and knees for cultural sites
• A light rain jacket for the winter months
• Sun protection including a hat, sunglasses, and high-SPF sunscreen
• Insect repellent for valley and oasis areas
• A reusable water bottle to stay hydrated in the dry climate
• A swimsuit for the Dead Sea, hot springs, and Red Sea
• A power adapter suitable for Jordanian sockets
• A basic medical kit with any personal medication
• Electrolyte sachets to manage heat and exertion

🛂 Visas & Entry Requirements

Most visitors can enter Jordan easily, with a tourist visa available on arrival or in advance, though specific rules depend on nationality.

• Many nationalities can obtain a single-entry visa on arrival at airports and most land borders
• The Jordan Pass waives the visa fee for stays of three nights or more and bundles entry to over 40 sites including Petra (see Hotel & Tourist Taxes section for details)
• Some nationalities, including travellers from India, Pakistan, and the Philippines, must apply for an eVisa in advance and are not eligible for the visa on arrival
• Passports should be valid for at least six months from the date of arrival
• Jordan requires visitors to hold valid travel medical insurance for the duration of their stay, so carry proof of cover (see the Travel Insurance subsection under Practical Info)
• Official information: https://www.moi.gov.jo

💰 Money

• The currency is the Jordanian Dinar (JOD), divided into 100 piastres
• The Dinar is a relatively strong currency, so prices can feel higher than expected
• Cash is preferred at souks, small restaurants, and rural areas, while cards are accepted at hotels and larger establishments
• ATMs are widely available in cities and tourist hubs but scarce in remote desert areas
• Tipping is customary, with around 10 percent appreciated in restaurants and small amounts welcomed for guides and drivers
• Carry small denominations for taxis, tips, and site entry fees

💸 Hotel & Tourist Taxes

Jordan applies sales and service taxes to accommodation, and some sites carry separate entry fees, though there is no nightly tourist tax in the European sense.

• Hotel bills typically include a sales tax and a service charge, often totalling around 26 percent, usually shown as a combined figure on the final bill
• A single-entry visa on arrival costs 40 JOD where applicable
• The Jordan Pass costs roughly 70-80 JOD depending on the package, and includes the visa fee waiver plus prepaid entry to Petra and dozens of other sites
• The Jordan Pass must be purchased online before arrival and cannot be bought at the border
• A departure tax applies when leaving Jordan by land, though it is usually included in transport or tour costs
• Official Jordan Pass portal: https://jordanpass.jo

🌈 LGBTQIA+ Travellers

Jordan is relatively moderate compared with some of its neighbours, but social attitudes remain conservative and discretion is advised.

• Same-sex relations are not criminalised, which is uncommon in the region
• There is no legal recognition of same-sex partnerships and no anti-discrimination protections
• Public attitudes are conservative, and public displays of affection are best avoided by all travellers
• Amman has a small, discreet queer scene, while rural areas are far more traditional
• Many LGBTQIA+ travellers visit without incident by being mindful of local norms

⚠️ Traveller Safety

Jordan is one of the safest countries in the Middle East for travellers and is well set up for tourism.

• Crime against tourists is rare, and violent crime is uncommon
• Petty theft is unlikely but normal precautions in crowded markets are sensible
• Adventure activities such as canyoning and desert trekking are best done with licensed guides
• Cities are generally safe to walk at night, though women may experience some unwanted attention
• Emergency number is 911

💉 Vaccinations & Health

Jordan poses few serious health risks for travellers, and no vaccinations are mandatory for most arrivals.

• No vaccinations are required for entry unless arriving from a yellow fever risk country
• Routine vaccinations should be up to date, including measles, tetanus, and hepatitis A and B
• Malaria is not present in Jordan, so antimalarial medication is not needed
• The main health concerns are heat exhaustion, dehydration, and occasional stomach upsets
• Healthcare in cities is good, with reputable private hospitals in Amman
• Official information: https://www.who.int/countries/jor

🚗 Getting Around

• Hiring a car offers the most flexibility and roads are generally well maintained between major destinations
• The Desert Highway and King’s Highway connect the main tourist sites, with the King’s Highway far more scenic
• JETT buses run reliable, comfortable services between Amman, Petra, Aqaba, and other hubs
• Taxis are plentiful in cities, with metered fares in Amman and apps such as ride-hailing services available
• Many travellers opt for a private driver or organised tour to cover Petra, Wadi Rum, and the Dead Sea efficiently
• Local transport in rural areas is limited, so plan ahead for remote regions

✈️ Airports

Queen Alia International Airport (AMM)

• The main international gateway, located around 35 kilometres south of Amman

King Hussein International Airport (AQJ)

• Aqaba’s airport, serving the Red Sea coast and a convenient entry point for the south

🗣️ Language

The official language of Jordan is Arabic, spoken in a distinctive Levantine dialect. English is widely understood in cities, hotels, and tourist areas, and many Jordanians working in tourism speak it well, so travellers rarely face serious language barriers. Learning a few words of Arabic is warmly received and goes a long way in building rapport with locals.

Common Phrases

• Hello – مرحبا (marhaba)
• Goodbye – مع السلامة (ma’a as-salama)
• Please – من فضلك (min fadlak)
• Thank you – شكرا (shukran)
• Yes – نعم (na’am)
• No – لا (la)
• Excuse me – عن إذنك (an iznak)
• Sorry – آسف (aasif)
• Do you speak English? – هل تتكلم الإنجليزية؟ (hal tatakallam al-ingliziyya?)
• How much? – كم السعر؟ (kam as-si’r?)
• Where is…? – أين…؟ (ayna…?)
• Help – مساعدة (musa’ada)
• Cheers – في صحتك (fi sahtak)
• Water – ماء (maa’)
• Peace be upon you – السلام عليكم (as-salamu alaykum)

ℹ️ Practical Info

Electricity

• Jordan uses 230V and a mix of plug types, most commonly types C, D, F, G, and J, so a universal adapter is recommended

Internet & WiFi

• WiFi is widely available in hotels, cafes, and restaurants in cities and tourist areas, while mobile data coverage is strong across populated regions and patchy in remote desert

Water

• Tap water is not recommended for drinking, so stick to bottled or filtered water, which is cheap and readily available

Travel Insurance

• Comprehensive personal travel insurance is strongly recommended, with cover for medical treatment, evacuation, and adventure activities such as canyoning, diving, and desert trekking, and note that Jordan also requires visitors to hold valid travel medical insurance for the duration of their stay

Connectivity SIM / eSIM

• Local SIM cards from providers such as Zain, Orange, and Umniah are inexpensive and easy to buy on arrival with a passport
• Using an eSIM is our recommended choice while travelling anywhere in the world, and our recommended provider is Holafly. For more information on eSIMs, check out this blog.

❤️ Why Visit Jordan

Jordan offers a rare combination of depth and accessibility. Few places let you stand inside a 2,000-year-old Nabataean city in the morning, float on the surface of the Dead Sea by afternoon, and fall asleep under desert stars that night. The country’s scale works in the traveller’s favour, turning what might be a sprawling itinerary elsewhere into a journey of short, scenic drives between extraordinary places.

Beyond the famous sites, it is the texture of everyday travel here that stays with people. The hospitality is genuine, the food is generous, and the landscapes shift constantly between canyon, desert, ruin, and sea. Jordan feels both ancient and welcoming, a country that has been hosting travellers along its trade routes for thousands of years and still does it with grace.

For travellers seeking history, adventure, and warmth in equal measure, Jordan delivers all three without compromise. It is a destination that surprises first-time visitors and rewards anyone willing to look closely, and it leaves almost everyone planning their return before they have even left.