Overview
Jordan is a small but historically layered country in the heart of the Middle East, bordered by Israel and the Palestinian Territories to the west, Syria to the north, Iraq to the northeast, and Saudi Arabia to the east and south. Despite its compact size, it contains an extraordinary concentration of archaeological, natural, and cultural landmarks — from the rose-red city of Petra carved by the Nabataeans more than two millennia ago to the otherworldly sandstone landscapes of Wadi Rum.
Amman, the capital, is a sprawling, hilly city that blends a modern Arab metropolis with Roman-era ruins and a lively food and café culture. The country has long served as a relatively stable hub in a turbulent region, and it receives a significant mix of pilgrimage travelers, history enthusiasts, adventure seekers, and those drawn to the Dead Sea for its therapeutic waters.
Jordan's population is predominantly Sunni Muslim, and the culture reflects deep traditions of hospitality — a traveler stopping to ask directions is as likely to be invited for tea as to receive a simple answer. This warmth is genuine and widely reported by visitors across the country.
Before You Go
Visas
Jordan offers tourist visas on arrival at Queen Alia International Airport and at several land and sea borders, and it also participates in the Jordan Pass program, which bundles a tourist visa with entry to many major attractions. Conditions, fees, and eligibility can change. Check TravelerPulse's Visas section and the official Jordan Ministry of Interior website for current requirements before you travel.
Health
No mandatory vaccinations are required for most travelers, though routine immunizations should be up to date. Hepatitis A and typhoid vaccinations are sometimes recommended — consult a travel health clinic well before departure. Tap water is generally not recommended for drinking; bottled water is inexpensive and widely available. The Dead Sea area and Wadi Rum can reach extreme temperatures; heat-related illness is a real risk if you are not hydrated and sun-protected.
Money
The Jordanian Dinar is a relatively strong currency. ATMs are widely available in Amman, Aqaba, and major tourist towns. Credit cards are accepted at hotels, larger restaurants, and many shops, but cash is preferred or required at smaller establishments and souks. It is worth carrying small denominations of JOD for tips and entry fees.
What to Pack
- Modest clothing (shoulders and knees covered) for mosques, religious sites, and conservative areas
- Comfortable, closed-toe walking shoes for uneven terrain at archaeological sites
- High-SPF sunscreen and a wide-brimmed hat
- A light jacket even in summer — desert nights can be cold
- Any prescription medications with documentation, as some drugs may require prior approval
Getting There
By Air
Queen Alia International Airport (AMM), located approximately 30 km south of central Amman, is the main international gateway. It is served by Royal Jordanian — the national carrier — and a range of European, Middle Eastern, and Asian airlines. Aqaba King Hussein International Airport (AQJ) in the south receives some regional and charter flights and is a useful entry point for travelers focused on the Wadi Rum and Aqaba area.
By Land
Jordan shares land border crossings with Israel and the Palestinian Territories, Syria, and Iraq. The crossings with Israel and the Palestinian Territories are the most commonly used by tourists — notably the Allenby/King Hussein Bridge crossing near the West Bank and the Wadi Araba/Yitzhak Rabin crossing near Aqaba/Eilat. Check current border status, operating hours, and any diplomatic considerations before planning a land crossing, as conditions can change.
By Sea
A ferry service operates between Aqaba (Jordan) and Nuweiba (Egypt) across the Gulf of Aqaba. Both a slow ferry and a faster catamaran option have historically been available. Verify current schedules and operators locally or through up-to-date travel sources before relying on this route.
Getting Around
Between Cities
JORCA and other private bus companies run intercity services connecting Amman to Aqaba, Petra (Wadi Musa), Jerash, and other destinations. Journey times vary — Amman to Aqaba by bus takes roughly four hours. Minibuses (service taxis or 'servis') are a cheaper alternative on many routes but run on irregular schedules based on when they fill up.
In Amman
Amman has a public bus network and ride-hailing apps (Uber and Careem operate in the city), which are generally the most convenient options for visitors. Yellow taxis are metered, though agreeing on a fare before departure is sometimes necessary in practice. The city's hills and sprawl make walking impractical between distant neighborhoods.
Renting a Car
Self-driving is one of the most flexible ways to see Jordan, particularly for sites like the Desert Highway, the King's Highway, and areas between Petra and Wadi Rum. International driving permits are recommended. Roads are generally in reasonable condition on main routes, though some secondary roads can be unpaved. Parking at tourist sites is usually available.
Organized Tours
Day tours and multi-day itineraries are widely available from Amman and from hotels near major sites. These are a practical choice for travelers who want logistics handled, particularly for Wadi Rum (where a local guide or organized jeep tour is strongly advisable) and for remote desert castles in the east.
Things to See & Do
Petra
Jordan's most iconic site, Petra was the capital of the Nabataean Kingdom and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The approach through the Siq — a narrow, winding gorge — leading to the Treasury (Al-Khazneh) facade is one of the most celebrated arrivals in travel. The site is enormous; allow at least a full day, ideally two, to move beyond the Treasury to the Monastery (Ad Deir), the Royal Tombs, and the High Place of Sacrifice. Petra by Night, held several evenings a week, illuminates the Siq with candles — verify current schedules locally.
Wadi Rum
This protected desert wilderness of sandstone cliffs, narrow gorges, and red sand dunes served as a filming location for several major productions and has an atmosphere unlike almost anywhere else on Earth. Visitors typically enter via the Rum Village visitor center. Jeep tours, camel rides, rock climbing, and overnight stays in Bedouin-style camps are the primary activities. Staying overnight to experience the stars is widely considered worthwhile.
Jerash
Located about an hour north of Amman, Jerash contains one of the best-preserved Roman provincial cities in the world, with colonnaded streets, temples, theaters, and a still-intact oval plaza. It is an easy day trip from Amman and frequently combined with a visit to Ajloun Castle nearby.
The Dead Sea
At roughly 430 meters below sea level, the Dead Sea is the lowest point on Earth's surface. Its hyper-saline water makes floating effortless. Several resort hotels operate along the Jordanian shore with private beach access and spa facilities. Avoid getting water in your eyes — the salt concentration is extremely high. The mud along the shoreline is traditionally used for skin treatments.
Additional Highlights
- Amman Citadel (Jabal al-Qal'a): A hilltop archaeological site with ruins spanning multiple civilizations, including a well-preserved Roman temple and Umayyad palace
- The Desert Castles: A circuit of early Islamic-era castles and hunting lodges east of Amman (Qasr Amra, Qasr Kharana, Qasr Al-Azraq)
- Aqaba: Jordan's only coastal city on the Red Sea, with coral reefs accessible for snorkeling and diving
- Dana Biosphere Reserve: A dramatic nature reserve with hiking trails through varied terrain from highland to desert
- Madaba: Known as the 'City of Mosaics,' including the famous 6th-century mosaic map of the Holy Land in St. George's Church
- Mount Nebo: The biblical site where Moses is said to have viewed the Promised Land, with a memorial church and views toward the Jordan Valley
Food & Drink
What to Eat
Jordanian cuisine is rooted in Levantine and Bedouin traditions. Mansaf — a large platter of lamb cooked in fermented dried yogurt (jameed) sauce, served over rice — is the national dish and is considered a food of celebration and hospitality. Meze-style dining is common, with small dishes of hummus, mutabbal (smoky eggplant dip), tabbouleh, fattoush, and labneh (strained yogurt) preceding mains. Falafel and shawarma are ubiquitous street and casual foods.
Maqluba (an upside-down rice and vegetable dish), zarb (Bedouin-style meat slow-cooked underground, common in Wadi Rum camps), and musakhan (roasted chicken with sumac and caramelized onions on flatbread — more common near the Palestinian border areas) are worth seeking out. Knafeh, a warm cheese-and-shredded-pastry dessert soaked in syrup, is a beloved sweet particularly associated with the city of Nablus but found across Jordan.
Drinks
Jordan is a majority-Muslim country. Alcohol is available and legal — wine, beer, and spirits can be found in licensed restaurants, hotels, and specialty liquor stores, particularly in Amman and Aqaba. Local beers (Petra and Carakale are locally produced brands) and Jordanian wines exist. In conservative areas or during Ramadan, alcohol availability may be more limited. Arabic coffee (lightly spiced with cardamom) and sweet mint tea are central to hospitality culture and will frequently be offered to you at no cost in shops and guesthouses — declining too quickly can be seen as impolite.
Where to Eat
Amman has a sophisticated dining scene spanning traditional Jordanian restaurants, Lebanese cuisine, and a growing number of international options, concentrated in neighborhoods like Rainbow Street, Weibdeh, and Abdoun. Near tourist sites such as Petra and Wadi Rum, dining options are more limited and largely hotel- or camp-based; eating well there often means choosing your accommodation thoughtfully. Wadi Musa (the town serving Petra) has a reasonable range of restaurants catering to international visitors.
Shopping
What to Buy
Jordan produces a range of distinctive crafts. Hand-painted ceramics from Hebron-tradition artisans in Madaba, Dead Sea cosmetic products (mud, salt scrubs, and mineral-rich skincare), Bedouin embroidery and woven textiles, silver and semi-precious stone jewelry, and olive wood carvings are among the most commonly purchased items. Sand art — decorative bottles filled with layered colored sand in various patterns — is a popular souvenir particularly associated with Wadi Rum and Aqaba.
Where to Shop
Amman's downtown (Al-Balad) hosts traditional souks where you can find spices, textiles, and everyday goods. The Jordan River Foundation and Nabad Art Gallery in Amman are outlets for fair-trade and artisan-certified crafts, where prices are fixed and the quality is generally reliable. Near major sites like Petra, souvenir shops are plentiful but quality and pricing vary considerably. At smaller craft cooperatives — particularly those run by women's community groups — purchases support local livelihoods directly.
Bargaining is customary in markets and souvenir stalls but is not appropriate in fixed-price stores or established artisan cooperatives. A polite, relaxed approach works best.
Practical Information
Electricity
Jordan uses Type B, C, D, F, G, and J plugs (the Type G British-style plug and Type C European-style plug are most common in practice). The standard voltage is 230V. Verify your device compatibility and carry a universal adapter.
Connectivity
Mobile data SIM cards are available for purchase at the airport and in city centers from providers including Zain, Orange Jordan, and Umniah. Coverage is generally good in cities and along major tourist routes; remote desert areas may have limited signal. Wi-Fi is widely available in hotels, cafés, and restaurants in urban areas.
Emergency Contacts
Emergency service numbers in Jordan include a general emergency line — verify the current number on arrival or through your country's embassy website, as numbers should be confirmed locally. Register with your country's embassy or consulate if you plan an extended stay.
Tipping
Tipping is appreciated but not always mandatory. In restaurants a tip of roughly 10% is customary if service charge is not already included. Tipping tour guides, drivers, and hotel staff is common practice. Verify locally what is standard.
Ramadan and Public Holidays
Public holidays follow both the Islamic lunar calendar (dates shift each year) and fixed civil calendar dates. During Islamic holidays, some services, offices, and attractions may have altered hours or closures. Plan accordingly and verify dates for the specific year of your travel.
Safety
Jordan is generally considered one of the more stable and safe countries in the Middle East for tourists. Petty crime such as pickpocketing exists, particularly in crowded tourist areas, but violent crime against visitors is uncommon. Most travelers report feeling safe throughout the country.
As with any destination, check your government's official travel advisory before and during your trip — the geopolitical situation in the wider region can affect advisory levels even when Jordan itself is calm. The US State Department, UK Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office, and equivalent bodies in other countries issue regularly updated advisories.
The area around the Syrian and Iraqi borders is subject to more cautious advisories and is not a typical tourist destination. Aqaba, Petra, Amman, the Dead Sea, and Jerash are the areas most commonly visited and are generally without significant safety concerns for tourists.
Road safety is a consideration — traffic in Amman can be aggressive by some visitors' standards, and pedestrian crossings are not always respected. Exercise normal urban caution. In desert areas, inform your accommodation or a local contact of your plans if hiking or exploring independently.
Local Culture & Etiquette
Religion and Daily Life
Islam is the official religion and the daily rhythm — including the call to prayer five times a day — reflects this. The majority of Jordanians are Sunni Muslim, and there is also a Christian minority, particularly in cities like Madaba and Fuheis. Religious sites of significance to Christianity, Islam, and Judaism exist within a small geographic radius, giving Jordan a layered interfaith heritage.
During Ramadan, observant Muslims fast from dawn to sunset. Non-Muslims are not required to fast, but eating, drinking, or smoking in public during daylight hours is considered disrespectful and in some cases restricted. Restaurants may have altered hours or be screened from public view. The evenings during Ramadan are typically lively, with family gatherings and special foods.
Dress and Behavior
Dress modestly when visiting mosques (women should cover their hair, and both men and women should cover arms and legs), and remove shoes before entering. Outside of tourist-heavy areas and international hotels, modest dress (avoiding very short shorts, bare shoulders) is appreciated by locals. Public displays of affection between couples are generally not appropriate.
Hospitality
Jordanian hospitality is a deeply embedded cultural value. Being offered tea or coffee by a shopkeeper or host does not carry the same commercial transactional weight it might in other contexts — it is often a genuine gesture. Taking a few minutes to sit, accept, and converse is considered polite. Bargaining is expected in souks and with some taxi drivers, but should be conducted in a friendly, unhurried manner.
