8 Things to Know Before Visiting Jordan

Jordan Tour Guide

Planning a perfect vacation can be an exciting and rewarding experience. Jordan is a beautiful travel destination, but you need to be prepared in order to fully enjoy this country. In this guide, you will find all the practical information that you need before going to Jordan. 

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1. Jordan Visa requirements 

Besides a valid passport, as European Citizens we are not required to have a visa for traveling in Jordan as long as you purchase the Jordan Pass. There are three different passes (1 day visit to Petra, 2 consecutive visit days or 3 ones). This pass also includes entrances to over 40 attractions in Jordan. If you don't purchase it, once you land you will be required to apply for a visa.

2. SIM Card for Jordan 

I highly suggest getting a local SIM card once you arrive at the airport, as wifi will be available only in the hotels, and some tourist restaurants. I purchased Umniah as a local provider, which I recommend as internet connection was always available (except in the desert and very remote places). Alternately, if your smartphone is abilited, eSIM is an option, which tends to be more expensive, but saves you time in the airport. You can purchase the eSIM on Airalo.

3. money

Jordan's local currency is the Jordanian Dinar (JOD). To get an idea of the costs, I paid a double room on average 30 JOD and a meal costs 5-10€ per person. I exchanged Euros in the first city I crossed, in a local bank (they are easy to find on Google). ATMs are also very common. In any case credit cards are not widely accepted, all meals and most accommodation required us to pay in cash only. 

4. Transportation and Logistics

Public transportation in Jordan tends to be limited, therefore renting a car is the best way to go. You can rent ahead on the Rentalcars website. Driving is not complicated, since all roads are paved. Some things to know before arriving:

• The roads are paved but it takes a while to move across the country, as highways aren't common. Google Maps underrates the journey time.
• I advise against long drives at night for safety reasons
• Driving in the cities is a bit messy, due to the traffic 

5. Accommodation

I booked all my hotels on Booking, spending more or less 30 JOD (38 €) for a double room. I picked very simple and essential places. One exception is the Wadi Rum desert, where we spent 15 JOD (20 €) for two nights.

6. LANGUAGE

Besides speaking Arabic, locals speak English everywhere. 

7. Local CUSTOMS

Jordanians are the best people, as they are very welcoming and warm towards tourists. In Petra, they were a bit excessive in selling you stuff, but besides here people were very kind and genuinely curious about us (Italians). Jordan is a Muslim country, therefore both women and men should dress modestly. Women don't have to wear the hijab (although all the locals wear it), and the "western" female bathing suits don't really exist here. In my experience is fine to wear our bathing suits on tourist beaches (for example on the Dead Sea or in Aqaba), but I avoided the public beaches, as it would have felt out of place among the locals. 

8. Safety 

Is Jordan safe for tourists? I never felt in danger whatsoever during my time here. I wasn't worried about carrying my expensive camera with me, both during the day and at night. I wouldn't have long drives during the night, simply because the rural areas are very poor. Overall it is perceivable that this country is poor (modest houses and cars), but it doesn't feel dangerous, as small-scale crimes don't occur.

9. Weather

In Jordan, the winter season is very cold, and during the summer is very hot. Winter temperatures range between 9-13°C (48-55°F), while the deserts regions range from 19-22°C (66-71°F). In the Jordanian Valley, summer temperatures range between 38-39°C (100-102°F), while in the desert regions, they vary between 26-29°C (78-84°F). Rainfall is generally scarce, and occur from November to April, with a maximum in winter, between December and February. The best seasons to visit this country are therefore spring and autumn. I went at the end of February, and the weather was lovely, in the day time there was 22°C (71°F), in the evening around 12°C (53°F).