As more and more people begin to explore the Middle East, Jordan is growing in popularity . With endless seas, desert communities, tasty dishes to taste and archaeological sites to discover, it is easy to see why this country is being increasingly visited. With Jordan still an emerging destination, traveling to this interesting country always raises some questions . But do not worry, in this article we will talk about everything you need to travel to Jordan and the places you should not miss during your visit.
Prepare to travel to Jordan
Necessary documentation
No matter where you come from, you will need a valid passport and visa to enter Jordan. The vast majority of nationalities can get theirs upon arrival at Amman airport or at the Jordanian border. However, other people must obtain it before traveling. If you are from Spain, don’t worry, you can get it when you arrive. Make sure to visit the Jordan Tourism Board website for all the details. Although it is worth being prepared, obtaining your visa from the Jordanian embassy in your home country can be much more expensive than doing it on arrival. A single entry visa is valid for one month and costs 40 JOD (Jordanian Dinar), around 50 euros.
Currency and prices
Despite the fact that the Middle East is perceived as a cheap destination, Jordan is not a cheap country. Traveling to this country in a group trip can be profitable in terms of value for money , since paying the different excursions and entrance fees before arriving at your destination can save you a considerable amount of money, because hiring them there will cost you more expensive. Jordanians use the Jordanian Dinar (JOD), which is made up of 100 piastres, and there are coins of 1, 5, 10, 20 and 50 Dinar denominations. You can easily exchange euros on arrival, and there are exchange offices and ATMs available in the main cities and large towns. Although in cultural places like Wadi Rum and Petra you will not find ATMs, so go with enough cash.
As for tips, unlike Egypt, where wages are very low and the poorest locals use them to supplement their income, Jordanians do not expect a reward for tasks such as giving recommendations. In fact, many would refuse if you offer them something. However, it is advisable to tip in restaurants and also for local guides .
As in most of the Middle East, haggling is always present when doing business in Jordan. This is particularly true when shopping for souvenirs at local bazaars. Some things to keep in mind are: don’t start haggling unless you’re really interested in the product , have a clear price in mind, ask the seller to start the haggling, and then take your turn to adjust a price.
Security
Given that Jordan borders countries like Iraq, Syria and Saudi Arabia, it may be normal for you to think that traveling to this small desert country could present more risks than other destinations. But if you look at the Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report, you will see that Jordan ranks 38th out of 136 when it comes to safety and security. Actually ahead of many European countries.
If you are traveling alone to Jordan, you should ideally book a group tour. In addition to being under the protection of a local expert leader, you will also have the comfort of exploring the different tourist spots with a group of like-minded people.
Gastronomy
For most people, visiting the city of Petra or experiencing desert life in Wadi Rum is what drives their desire to travel to Jordan, but Jordanian cuisine also plays a role. Aside from appetizers like hummus and falafel and meat bites like kebab and shawarma, you have to try mansaf. Known as Jordan’s national dish, this delicacy includes rice, simmered lamb, and yogurt sauce.
Although 90% of Jordanians are Muslim, it is accepted to drink alcohol in moderation throughout the country. You’ll find that beer and wine appear frequently on hotel and restaurant menus, and there are even some bars in popular tourist spots and in some of the big cities, especially those with a significant Christian contingent. But, if you want to avoid alcohol altogether, lemonade is a perfect alternative to cool off.
Tap water in Jordan, on the other hand, is generally considered safe to drink. However, during excursions to rural points it is probably best to play it safe and limit yourself to drinking bottled water to avoid stomach problems.
Essential visits in Jordan
Amman
Amman is a bustling, modern city with many ancient ruins. This city is one of the most liberal and westernized in the Arab world , it even has an avant-garde atmosphere. Built on mountainous terrain in northern Jordan, stunning views of the white limestone city can be seen from any elevated point. As the capital and largest city of Jordan, Amman is a gem worth visiting .
We advise you to stay in the historic center of the city and to walk to the citadel to see the ancient Roman ruins. Take a taxi or walk to the Roman amphitheater for a truly breathtaking view. Then, stroll down Rainbow Street and buy souvenirs at the stores. Lunch is definitely a must have at Hashem, one of the favorite restaurants of locals and tourists , and practically an institution in Amman.
Wadi rum
If you are in Amman, you must drive three and a half hours to reach the Wadi Rum desert, in the northernmost part of Jordan. In this place, the spectacular landscape is built by huge mountains of rock that protrude from the sky, the camel caravans that cross the desert and the vast starry sky that replaces the epic golden sunsets . The magic can be found sleeping in a modest tent, as it gives you the most extraordinary morning views you have ever seen.
It is worth spending at least two nights in Wadi Rum and having at least one day to experience the desert. During the right time of year, a desert hike is doable and quite enjoyable. The entire desert has unique landforms and sites worth seeing; It is also ideal to enjoy a homemade Bedouin lunch on a rug in the shade of a gigantic rock mountain.
In this desert area you will be able to enjoy the most wonderful sunsets you have ever seen and meet the Bedouins who host you in the camp, so they can tell you about their culture and discover local foods such as the traditional Bedouin dish, zarb, consisting of meat and vegetables cooked underground in underground ovens.
Petra
The best way to understand and appreciate this UNESCO World Heritage wonder is to spend a few hours with a guide to tour the entire city . If you’ve come this far, it doesn’t hurt to learn some interesting things about this place. The most famous part is a carving on a facade with a small room inside.
Depending on the day of the week you are here, we suggest you visit Petra By Night, an after-hours event in the old rocky city after dark for which you need a separate ticket . Candlelight illuminates the narrow 1.2 km long entrance to the gorge that leads to Petra. Traditional music echoes through the walls and the floor. Sit quietly in front of the treasury and listen as a storyteller tells stories, plays traditional music and serves tea. The experience is unique and almost spiritual.
The dead Sea
From Petra, you can travel two to three hours north and, about 400 meters below sea level, stop for a swim in the Dead Sea, which is part of the border with Israel. It is an experience unlike any other and an essential visit when you are in Jordan . The water feels unexpectedly oily and cuts or scrapes are horribly itchy, but you don’t have to make any effort to stay afloat . Be careful not to submerge your head, the water contains a high amount of salt that can be unpleasant for your nose and eyes. The salt forms a really unique, white and rocky shoreline that can be very hard on your feet , so be sure to wear sandals.
Madaba
From the Dead Sea, you can travel one hour northeast to the small town of Madaba, just 14 kilometers south of Amman. Known as the “City of Mosaics”, Madaba is known for its ancient mosaics. Here you can visit the Greek Orthodox Basilica of St. George to see the famous Madaba map. Discovered in 1896, the mosaic map of the region dates back to the 6th century and consists of almost two million colored tiles.
