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The lost city of Petra, Jordan

Jordan Travel Guide

A land of ancient wonders, Jordan invites you to embark on a remarkable journey through time. Explore the awe-inspiring city of Petra, carved into rose-coloured cliffs. Discover the Treasury and wander through the narrow siq for an unforgettable experience. Marvel at the otherworldly landscapes of Wadi Rum, with its rugged desert mountains and mesmerizing sand dunes. Immerse yourself in the rich culture by savouring traditional Jordanian cuisine and exploring the vibrant streets of Amman. Visit Mount Nebo and the Baptism Site for a spiritual connection.

Travelling through Jordan offers an unforgettable blend of ancient history, warm hospitality, and breathtaking landscapes, with every step revealing a piece of Jordan's rich heritage. Indulge in the vibrant flavours of Jordanian cuisine and immerse yourself in the bustling streets of Amman. Feel the spiritual energy at Mount Nebo and the Baptism Site. Explore the markets for unique handicrafts that showcase Jordan's artistic traditions. Let Jordan's ancient wonders and vibrant culture leave a lasting impression as you embark on a journey of discovery and adventure.

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Key Facts

Time Zone

GMT+3

Money

Jordanian Dinar (JOD)

Dialing Code

+962

  • The people: Jordanians are famous for being the most hospitable people you could ever hope to meet. Locals are almost always happy to help you and will go above and beyond to make sure you have the most amazing time in their country. You’re likely to receive lots of invitations for tea and dinner during your stay!
  • The scenery: From the epic red deserts of Wadi Rum, to the lush green north and the surreal salt-encrusted terrain round the Dead Sea, Jordan is both diverse and staggeringly beautiful.
  • The food: It’s not all hummus you know! Jordanian food is a wonderful reflection of the country’s rich heritage with some of the most delicious grub you’ll find in the Middle East. If you visit a local home for a meal during your stay, make sure you’re wearing your eating trousers – you’ll be fed until you literally can’t eat any more!
  • The history: From the stunning ‘Lost City’ of Petra to the most well-preserved Roman sites outside of Italy, Jordan has history seeping out of its pores.

Amman is home to around 4 million people. This honey-coloured city reflects an enchanting mix of cultures as well as the ancient and modern worlds. It’s a great introduction to Jordan with bustling souks, mouth-watering food, friendly locals and some incredible archaeological sites such as the Citadel and the Roman Amphitheatre.

  • Petra: The Lost City really does live up to the hype. With spectacular buildings built into soaring cliffs, Petra will take your breath away. Dating back more than 2,000 years, Petra was left to the desert sands sometime around the 12th Century and was only rediscovered in the early 1800s. It’s so beautiful that Hollywood soon came knocking and some of the rose-coloured facades may be familiar to you from films like Indiana Jones.
  • The Dead Sea: ‘Swimming’ in the Dead sea is a totally unique experience, as the water is so salty you can pretty much lie on the surface like it’s a bed – amazing for photo opportunities! It’s also like going to a health spa, as the Dead Sea mud is full of minerals and can reportedly help with your skin and all other kinds of ailments.
  • Jerash: The most well-preserved Roman city outside of Italy, Jerash is astonishing. The ruins include a forum, temples and theatres and have all been painstakingly restored, really giving you a sense of what life would’ve been like there 6,500 years ago.
  • Camping in Wadi Rum: An awe-inspiring desert valley filled with red gorges and towering cliffs, Wadi Rum is home to the Bedouins. Spending a night with a Bedouin tribe, under the brightest stars you’ve ever seen, is up there with the most ‘do-before-you-die’ travel experiences.

The food in Jordan is really special. You’ll find many foods traditionally eaten in other Middle Eastern and Mediterranean countries, which you’re probably already familiar with, (falafel, hummus, couscous and stuffed vegetables) but there are plenty of specialities that are particular to Jordan. These include shawarma (slow roasting spits of lamb, chicken or beef), which you’ll see served on every street corner in the cities, and mansaf (a unique dish made of rice, lamb and dry yoghurt called jameed). Food is often served mezze-style (as a selection of small dishes, olives and dips for everybody to share). Food is generally of very high quality and reasonably priced. If you’re eating near tourist attractions, however, you can expect to pay a lot more.

Like much of the Middle East, Jordan has a hot, dry climate. It experiences long summers and short winters. January is the coldest month with temperatures ranging from 5 to 10°C and August is the hottest at 20 to 35°C. Almost all the annual rainfall occurs between November and March.

Visa

Visas may be required in order to enter or transit through certain countries depending on your passport nationality, your reason for travel and how long you intend to stay.

Visa, passport and entry rules are subject to change and you should check the most up-to-date information from the relevant embassy or visa specialist.

To make things easier we have teamed up with The Travel Visa Company who are one of the UK’s leading travel visa specialists. You can use their website, alongside embassy websites,  to find out the specific entry requirements for the countries you intend to travel to.

For a fee, their dedicated team of experts can also apply for visas on your behalf, taking away the hassle and streamlining the process for you if you wish. For more details on the services they provide please click here – The Travel Visa Company

Passport

Passports must be kept in good condition. Travellers with damaged passports may be refused entry at immigration. It is the responsibility of the traveller to ensure that all travel documents are in good condition before they travel. Most countries will also require at least 6 months of validity on your passport from the time you finish your trip. 

Further Entry Requirements

Some countries will require proof of certain vaccines, such as yellow fever or covid, in order to gain entry. Please check with the relevant embassy or a visa specialist before travelling.

Jordan seems to have a bit of a pick-and-mix approach to electrical sockets. Depending on where you’re staying, you might come across European style 2 and 3-pin plugs as well as British square 3-pin plugs. It’s best to take a universal adaptor to cover all eventualities. All power sockets provide a standard voltage of 230V with a standard frequency of 50HZ. 

Jordanians are generally warm, and welcoming and are not offended easily. However, it is a predominantly Islamic country and local customs are reflective of this.

  • Greetings: Men shake hands (and sometimes kiss cheeks) with other men, but not always women.
  • Conversation: Raised voices and displays of anger in public are considered unacceptable. Always try to find a way to resolve a dispute calmly and avoid discussion of sensitive subjects.
  • Hands and feet: Always shake hands and pass food with the right hand. The left hand is for washing. Shoes are considered unclean. You should always remove them before entering a house and never point the soles of your feet at others.
  • Dress: Jordan is a conservative country. You should dress modestly, avoiding tight or revealing clothing.
  • Alcohol: It’s illegal to drink alcohol on the street but allowed in bars, clubs, hotels and private homes.
  • Drugs: Possession or trafficking of recreational drugs is highly illegal and can result in a lengthy prison sentence and a heavy fine.
  • LGBTQ: Jordanian law does not explicitly prohibit homosexuality but public displays of affection between homosexual couples are not usually tolerated.

Health

  • Make sure you have appropriate travel insurance in place.
  • Visit your GP ahead of travelling, to ensure you’ve had any vaccinations necessary and to make sure you have enough of any prescribed medication to see you through the duration of your trip.
  • Take high-factor sun cream! The sun is extremely intense in this region.
  • Take a first aid kit to cover minor injuries and ailments.
  • If you need emergency medical assistance during your trip, dial 911 and ask for an ambulance. If you’re referred for treatment, you should contact your insurance company as soon as possible.

Safety

  • While the Middle East remains a troubled region, Jordan is a safe and peaceful destination. This is reflected in tourist numbers with many international visitors coming to this fantastic country every year.
  • Crime levels are generally low and most crime is limited to pick-pocketing and bag-snatching. Take sensible precautions like keeping valuables in your accommodation safe and never carrying too much cash.
  • While the vast majority of female travellers enjoy an incident-free stay in Jordan, there have been reports of women receiving unwanted male attention in more remote areas. Take care and avoid walking or travelling alone. 

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