petra the monastery | Top Recommendations for Exploring Jordan | trip instinct
Top Recommendations for Exploring Jordan. Useful tips and insights for a serene vacation in Jordan. Learn about the Jordan Pass, what to do and expect during Ramadan, Jordan’s currency, internet availability, best visiting periods, renting a car, dressing appropriately, accommodations in Jordan, and more.
How to Get to Jordan?
By plane. You can land at either of the two airports: Amman’s Queen Alia International Airport or Aqaba’s King Hussein International Airport. Between these airports, you can fly with the national carrier, Royal Jordanian. The distance between the two cities is 340 km and can be covered in about 4 hours, depending on traffic. A flight takes around 50 minutes. Two flights are scheduled per day. A ticket costs as low as 24.5 JD per segment.
How to Explore?
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Either rent a car or use the services of a guide. Public transportation is not well-established for reaching the most interesting sights. Taxis and Uber are available in Amman and also in Aqaba. If renting a car, avoid Amman’s rush hours during the morning commute and between 4-6 PM, as traffic can be terrible and driving rules are localized. Another suggestion is to avoid driving at night due to poorly marked roads and potential obstacles. For a Wadi Rum desert safari, a Bedouin guide is essential. They provide Jeep rides lasting 2-6 hours, desert lunches/dinners, camel rides, hot air balloon flights, and nights in tents equipped with Bedouin camp facilities.
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Best Time to Visit
The best time is in May and the early fall (October to early November). These months are perfect as the desert isn’t excessively hot or cold, and the Dead Sea and Red Sea waters are great for swimming. There’s also a chance to visit the Wadi Mujib Canyon, which opens after mid-April and lasts through early May, depending on weather conditions, until the first rains.
From June to September, it’s much hotter, with temperatures easily exceeding 45°C in the desert and reaching 40°C in Amman and Aqaba. Since Petra is an open canyon, you’ll be directly exposed to heat, wind, and heavy rain might lead to closures for safety. Winter sees significant temperature differences between day and night, with colder temperatures and occasional snow.
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Hotel Recommendations in Jordan
We recommend staying only in 4 and 5-star hotels to ensure your comfort. In Aqaba, you can stay in 5-star accommodations; 4-star options are available in the Dead Sea, Petra, and Amman. In the desert, choose a Bedouin camp with excellent services.
Accommodation with breakfast in Amman
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Accommodation with breakfast in Petra
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Accommodation with breakfast in Aqaba
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Accommodation with breakfast at Dead Sea
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Accommodation with breakfast at Wadi Rum
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Top Attractions
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For a visit to Jordan, reserve at least a week. That’s enough to see the most captivating sights.
- Petra, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the New7Wonders of the World.
- Wadi Rum desert, a colorful and rocky desert famous for several renowned film productions.
- The Baptism Site of Jesus at the Jordan River.
- Little Petra
- The Dead Sea.
- Mount Nebo.
- The ancient city of Jerash.
- Mosaics in Madaba
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- The Wadi Mujib Canyon.
- Coral reefs in the Red Sea.
- Kerak Castle.
- Ma’an’s thermal waterfall.
- Amman and Aqaba.
What to Wear in Jordan
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At tourist sites like Petra, Jerash, the desert, and Kerak Castle, you can wear what makes you comfortable. In public places in Amman, Aqaba, and Madaba, decent attire is recommended, avoiding deep necklines, backless tops, and extremely short pants. To sunbathe, it’s easiest to head to a tourist beach club in Aqaba or choose a hotel with direct access to the Dead Sea’s private beach. Public beaches aren’t suitable for tourists as they lack amenities, and women are expected to be fully covered while swimming. You’ll need a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, water shoes, and a scarf, especially in the desert.
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Avoiding Ramadan
Ramadan lasts a month each year, and it’s a period of fasting for Muslims from sunrise to sunset. Therefore, it’s recommended that tourists abstain from eating, drinking, or smoking in public places out of respect.
Alcohol and Ramadan
During Ramadan, alcohol is only sold in specialized stores. These stores are closed during Ramadan, so you can only consume alcohol if you brought it from a duty-free shop or at high prices from hotel bars. Note that alcohol isn’t sold in Amman’s airport duty-free, so you must buy it at your departure airport. Some hotels are alcohol-free during Ramadan, meaning they don’t serve alcohol to tourists. It’s important to inquire in advance about the alcohol policy of your accommodation, especially during Ramadan. Ramadan periods:
- March 10 – April 9, 2024
- February 28 – March 29, 2025.
Tourist attractions will have modified opening hours, opening later and closing earlier. You’ll have less time for sightseeing. Similarly, some shops, banks, and offices will have shorter working hours or be completely closed. When sunset is announced, all Jordanians will be at dinner, either at home or at restaurants. So, don’t wait until around 7-7:30 PM to go out to eat or call a taxi, as services will be limited.
Holidays in Jordan: The weekend starts on Friday, continues on Saturday, and Sunday is the first working day of the week.
Water and Safety
Tap water isn’t drinkable. It’s fine for brushing your teeth, but for drinking, only consume bottled water. A 1.5L bottle costs around 0.7 JD (1.3 EUR or 1.4 USD) in supermarkets. In tourist areas, prices might be higher. Safety is a crucial and top-priority aspect for authorities. In large hotels, you’ll go through metal detectors and bag checks before check-in.
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Need Internet?
It’s easy. You’ll have free Wi-Fi in all hotels, but not in restaurants or public places. You can purchase a SIM card directly from Queen Alia Airport in Amman at Umniah, Zain, or Orange counters. Prices vary based on your needs, with offers ranging from $15-20 for a limited time to $50 for a month.
Currency
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The Jordanian Dinar (JD) is used, evaluated at: 1 JD = 1.4 USD or 1 JD = 1.3 EUR. The USD exchange rate is stable, so bringing USD to exchange is recommended. The EUR exchange rate fluctuates slightly daily. It’s advisable to bring small USD bills, as they’re easily accepted in tourist places, taxis, etc. Avoid exchanging money at the airport, as rates aren’t the best. Still, make sure to exchange some money into Jordanian Dinars in advance, as you’ll likely end up better off overall. You’ll find currency exchange offices with a simple Google Maps search. Card payments are accepted at hotels, restaurants, major stores, and tourist attractions. ATMs are also available for local currency withdrawals.
Traveling Independently? Get a Jordan Pass!
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Get a Jordan Pass! To enter Jordan, you need a visa. You can get it at the airport for 40 JD or 53 EUR. For savings, the ability to visit many attractions, and an included visa, purchase a Jordan Pass online before arriving in Jordan. The only condition is to have a stay of at least 3 nights, 4 days in Jordan. The Jordan Pass includes entry to 40 tourist attractions and the visa fee. The Jordan Pass is available in different options based on the number of entries to Petra:
- Jordan Pass Wanderer at 70 JD includes one day entry to Petra.
- Jordan Pass Explorer at 75 JD offers two consecutive days of access to Petra.
- Jordan Pass Expert at 80 JD provides three consecutive days of access to Petra. When calculating the cost of the visa (40 JD) and the cost of a Petra ticket (50 JD), you’ll find the Jordan Pass is a better deal. You can purchase it here.
About the Locals
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They are hospitable, friendly, and treat tourists well. In tourist areas, everyone understands enough English to negotiate prices, discuss purchases, and get directions.
Cuisine in Jordan
Many dishes are based on rice and meat, such as lamb and beef. Other foods include salads, lentil soup, olives, hummus, eggplant salad, falafel, flatbreads, and desserts like baklava, knafeh, dates, and figs.
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What to Buy in Jordan
Traditional unisex scarves that cover you in the desert. Mineral-based creams from the Dead Sea. Mosaics, carpets, traditional paintings. Silver jewelry with semi-precious aventurine stones.
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