Middle East · Levant
🇯🇴 Jordan travel guide
Petra, Wadi Rum & the Dead Sea.
- Currency
- JOD
- Time
- UTC +3
- Emergency
- 911
Best places in Jordan
- Petra. The Treasury, Monastery and Petra by Night.
- Wadi Rum. Jeep tours and desert camps.
- Dead Sea. Float in the lowest point on Earth.
- Jerash. Well-preserved Roman city.
Hidden places
- Dana Biosphere. Hike to Feynan Ecolodge.
- Wadi Mujib. Wet canyon hike (seasonal).
- Aqaba reefs. Red Sea snorkelling.
- Ajloun Castle. Hilltop castle and forest trails.
When to go
- Best time. March–May and September–November.
- Avoid. Summer heat in Petra and Wadi Rum.
- Festivals. Jerash Festival (summer).
What you need
- Documents. Passport, Jordan Pass (includes visa fee if eligible).
- Pack. Modest clothes, hiking shoes, sun hat.
- Apps. Careem, Uber.
- Booking. Allow two days for Petra.
The soul of Jordan
- Start somewhere unforgettable. Petra, Wadi Rum, the Dead Sea, Jerash and Amman.
- Choose your season. March–May and September–November are best.
- Before you leave. Give Petra at least two days.
Visual money
- Currency · JOD. One dinar equals 1,000 fils.
- A daily budget. Illustrative, per person: budget JOD 40–60; comfortable JOD 90–180.
- Jordan Pass. Buy before arrival to cover the visa fee and many sites, including Petra, if eligible.
Arrival playbook
- Documents first. Check visa rules and Jordan Pass conditions on official sites.
- Your first ride. Airport Express buses and taxis serve Amman.
- Get connected. Zain, Orange and Umniah SIMs are sold at the airport.
Street codes
- Dress & public conduct. Cover shoulders and knees in souks, mosques and government buildings. Public displays of affection and drunkenness can bring penalties.
- During Ramadan. Avoid eating, drinking or smoking in public during daylight hours. Opening times change; iftar evenings are a special time to experience.
- Invitations. Tea and coffee invitations are sincere; accept or decline warmly.
Beyond the postcard
- Dana Biosphere. Hike from Dana village to Feynan Ecolodge.
- Little Petra. A quieter rock-cut site nearby.
- Umm Qais. Ruins with views over the Sea of Galilee.
Food dossier
- A few first plates. Mansaf, falafel, hummus, knafeh and zarb in Wadi Rum.
- Breakfast. Ful, hummus and fresh bread.
- Dietary needs. Vegetarian mezze are plentiful.
Scam shield
- Petra animals. Rides are “included” in the ticket only for a short section; agree prices and consider animal welfare.
- Taxis. Insist on the meter in Amman.
- Camp bookings. Book Wadi Rum camps directly or via trusted platforms.
Language cheat sheet
- Hello · Marhaba. Thank you · Shukran.
- How much? · Addesh?. Water · Mai. Help · Saa’idni!
- Welcome · Ahlan. You’ll hear it constantly.
Survival essentials
- Emergency · 911. Unified emergency number.
- Dead Sea. Don’t shave before swimming; avoid getting water in your eyes.
- Power & time. 230V; sockets types C, D, F, G and J. Time zone UTC+3.
Your Jordan chapter
- A gentle first journey. Amman → Petra → Wadi Rum → Dead Sea over 7 days.
- A different pace. Walk sections of the Jordan Trail.
- Before confirming. This is a starter guide, not live advice. Verify visas, prices, opening times and safety conditions with official sources.