While most people visiting Jordan are familiar with Petra, there is much more in Jordan to see and do — from hiking oak forests in the north, to enjoying a sunset dinner at a rooftop restaurant in Amman, to snorkeling in the Red Sea in the south. Traveling to a new destination raises a lot of questions. Here are some answers to help you properly prepare for your Jordan journey.
You will be pleasantly surprised by the sense of security you will find in Jordan - it is one of the safest places to travel in the world. Jordan maintains good relations with ALL of its neighbours and is truly an oasis of peace in this region. The country is fairly liberal, westernised, and alcohol is freely available.
Jordan has a long and pleasant spring and fall, from March through May and from September through November. Rain occasionally falls from December to April. The summer months are hot but with little humidity. In the Jordan Valley, around the Dead Sea and in Aqaba on the Red Sea the winters are pleasant.
Please visit this link for more info abou the weather in Jordan : https://johtt.com/about-jordan/jordan-weather
Arabic is the official language. English is widely spoken throughout the kingdom. Most road signs are in English.
When planning your clothing needs (particularly women), remember that you will be travelling in a Muslim country, albeit not a very conservative one. Too much body should not be displayed. Women and men can wear shorts, though it’s preferable for women to avoid wearing them while walking in Amman’s city centre or when you are visiting country areas away from the main tourist sites. By following the above guidelines, you will feel more relaxed. Make sure you bring with you comfortable walking shoes, a hat and sun block. The weather is usually warm in summer, but winters can be very cold, evenings are cool year round, so bring adequate warm clothing with you. If you were sleeping in the desert then you would need a warm sweater and jacket even in summer.
Most nationalities can obtain visas upon arrival at any border, port or airport. Some nationalities require visas in advance. A single entry visa will normally cost you US$57. When you book your tour through us, we will arrange for your visa to be issued free of charge if you spend 2 or more consecutive nights in Jordan through our meet and assist service.
Please visit the following 02 links for more details about Jordan visa :
https://johtt.com/travel-advices/17-travel-advices/62-visa-information
https://johtt.com/travel-advices/17-travel-advices/61-meet-and-assist-with-free-visa-to-jordan
We have plenty of holidays in Jordan. All tourist sites and many businesses are open on most holidays, but government offices and banks close. Friday and Saturday are the official weekend days, although all tourist sites are open both days and many businesses are open on Saturday as well. Most Jordanian holidays are based on the Islamic religious calendar, and so they vary by about two weeks every year depending on the lunar calendar. During the holy month of Ramadan, Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset, so it would be prudent if you try to be respectful and not consume drinks, food and cigarettes outside of restaurants and tourist sites. The international Jerash Festival takes place in the ancient city of Jerash between July and August. It showcases an array of singers, musical and folklore troupes, plays and symphony operas from the Arab World and Europe.
National Holidays with set days are:
New Year :Jan 1st
Labour Day May 1st
Jordanian Independence Day May 25th
Christmas Dec. 25th
National Holidays that are based on the Islamic calendar and change each year are:
Islamic New Year
Al Mawled Al Nabawi
Al Isr’a wal Mi’raj
Eid al Fiter (3 day holiday)
Eid al Adha (5 day holiday)
Eating is the most popular national pastime hence the Jordanian cuisine is quite refined. Most hotels offer continental breakfast and buffet dinner with a choice of western and Arabic foods. Restaurants at sites usually offer traditional Arabic food or buffet lunches. In the major cities you’ll also find international restaurants, including McDonalds, Burger King and other healthy restaurants!
You are allowed to consume alcoholic drinks freely.
Please visit this link for more details : https://johtt.com/about-jordan/jordan-restaurants
Tipping is not compulsory, but is expected. If you were satisfied with the services of your driver or guide then it would be a nice way to show them your appreciation. Most restaurants add a service charge to your bill, but if not a tip is appropriate there as well.
Please visit this link for more information : https://johtt.com/travel-advices/17-travel-advices/77-tipping-gratuity-in-jordan
The official currenty of Jordan is the Jordanian Dinar (JD) & it is divided into 1,000 fils, although many people refer to piasters. One piaster equals 10 fils, so there are 100 piasters in a dinar.
Notes: 5, 10 and 20 and 50 dinars.
Coins: 5, 10, 25, 50, 100, 250, 500 fils
US$1 = JD 0.708 (JD IS PEGGED TO THE US$)
You will get the best exchange rate at exchange shops and banks, although the banks at the borders and in the airports charge a small commission. If you carry travellers’ checks, you will be charged a commission ranging from JD 3 to JD 8 even at a bank, sometimes for each check, so carry larger denominations. Hotels will charge a premium for changing money, so try to avoid this. All Banks are closed on Fridays and Saturdays, though some exchange shops remain open. ATMs are available throughout the country, but are not available in Wadi Rum so please ensure that you have enough cash on you. Credit/Debit cards are accepted at major retailers and hotels.
In the first half of the year, the peak season usually starts in mid February and continues till the end of May. It starts again in September and continues till the end of November. These are the times where the weather is at its best, but it is worth noting that weather patterns are inconsistent, so it is possible to have perfect weather throughout the year, as most regions record less than 30 days of rain per year. The summer is hot, but nowhere as hot as the gulf countries, so is bearable.
It depends. If you are on a budget, you can find affordable local meals — like a falafel sandwich — for a couple dinars or less, and stay in budget accommodations, like hostels in Amman and Bedouin camps in Wadi Rum for around $20-30USD per night. If you’d prefer more upscale dining options and creature comforts, you will find an array of restaurant options with extensive local and international menus in Amman. Luxury hotels in Amman, Dead Sea, Petra, and Aqaba run around $100-$300USD+ per night. There are mid-range options and lovely boutique hotels as well, for around $100USD per night. Whether you are traveling on a budget or planning to indulge, keep in mind that the typical cost per day for a tour is about $125-300USD per person.
In the main cities and most hotels throughout the country, credit cards are generally accepted. However, you are likely to find that Bedouin camps, smaller shops, and restaurants are cash only. It is recommended that you keep cash on you, so you don’t find yourself out in the desert, far from an ATM!
This depends largely on the season and the activities you’ll be doing. As Jordan has a desert climate, expect high temperatures and a lot of sunshine in the summer; comfortable temps and some rain in the spring and fall; cold weather, shorter days, and much more rain (and occasionally snow) in the winter. The best way to prepare is to bring breathable layers (natural fabrics are recommended) that can be added and removed throughout the day with the changing conditions. If you will be hiking, be sure to pack appropriate footwear. And of course, you’ll need sunscreen and a hat. If you’ll be spending time in Amman, don’t forget to bring along clothing that you’d wear in a city. Many locals in Amman are well-dressed and some restaurants enforce a dress code, so you will certainly be out of place (and maybe not allowed in) if you try to attend a nice rooftop dinner in your hiking gear.
No, hijab are not required in Jordan — unless entering a mosque, which you are not likely to be allowed to do unless you are Muslim. While you will see many women wearing hijab in Jordan, there are also plenty of women who do not wear them. That being said, you will notice that for the most part (outside of the international bars and restaurants), women dress conservatively, with chest, shoulders, and legs covered.
Targeted at the independent traveler, the Jordan Pass gives you access to over 40 main tourist sites – yes, including Petra – and will help save you money, especially if you’re staying for a minimum of 3 nights in Jordan.
Electricity in Jordan is 220 volts and the outlets accept the European two-pin plug. Many of the hotels throughout Jordan will provide different power sockets in their rooms although it is always wise to carry at least one world-wide adapter with you.
Getting into the spirit of your holiday is very important however Jordan is not a cheap destination. Depending upon the meals provided in your holiday package, you should budget around US$7-10 per day for a basic lunch (drinks extra) and US$15-20 per day for hearty meals at a higher quality restaurant (drinks extra). Bottled water is inexpensive - we provide free water inside our vehicles - but local supermarkets offer the best deal.
Don't forget all the "must do's" such as a camel ride, motorized water sports at the Red Sea or the many spa treatments at the Dead Sea, as well as souvenirs and travel books, etc. We would be happy to provide approximate costings for these items to help you budget.
There are many touristic areas in Jordan where special concerns are not necessary; however, in less touristic places, relatively modest dress is recommended. Women should avoid very short and tight clothing; keep their shoulders and knees covered. For instance, wearing shorts is not very common among Jordanians. Dressing with relative modesty is a way of respecting the local culture.
There are a large number of banks and exchange offices that can change cash and travelers’ checks in Jordan. Moreover, many touristic shops, restaurants, and bars will actually accept dollars or Euros at rates that are relatively close to the official ones. Makes sure you know the current exchange rate of dollars or Euros to Jordanian dinar.
The official language is Arabic. Approximately 80% of the country speaks English. French, German, Italian and Spanish are also spoken, but to a lesser extent.
English is studied in school all over Jordan. This is why most Jordanians almost speak English. Some Jordanians speak French, Italian, Spanish, and German.
