Epic Planning Guide to See the Ancient Wonders of Jordan
Jordan is a land where the echoes of ancient civilizations meet the warmth of modern hospitality. It is nestled in the heart of the Middle East and officially known as the Hashimite Kingdom of Jordan. The country is renowned for its dramatic natural landscapes, the ancient ruins of Petra (one of the 7 wonders of the world), and some of the friendliest locals around. Here are the best travel tips we learned from our trip across the entire country so you’ll know exactly what to expect.
Is Jordan Safe?
Safety is often a concern for travelers in the Middle East, but Jordan is widely regarded as one of the safest countries in the region. Despite being surrounded by the countries of Saudi Arabia, Syria, Iraq, Palestine, and Israel, Jordan has one of the most liberal governments with political stability and low crime rates. As with any destination, exercising common sense and being aware of your surroundings is advised, but visitors to Jordan often find the people welcoming and hospitable.
Jordan receives over 6 million tourists a year visiting thousands of archaeological sites across the country. We traveled from top to bottom of the entire country and never felt any safety concerns. Even being less than 200km away from the current conflict in Gaza, everyday life seemed surprisingly unaffected at all. I would encourage everyone interested in seeing these world class attractions to cast any fear or doubts aside and make the journey.
Best Time to Visit Jordan
Jordan’s climate varies across regions, but generally, the best times to visit are during spring and autumn (September to November). We visited at the end of May and the temperatures were around 80°F. The sun is often blazing during the day, so exploring the ruins of Petra was a bit hot but swimming in the Red and Dead Sea was refreshing. For less crowds and cooler temperatures (averaging in the 60s°F), consider visiting during the winter months.
Essential Items to Pack
Before embarking on your Jordanian odyssey, there are a few essential items you’ll want to make sure you bring with you:
- Passport – Idk who needs to here this but get your damn passport. And make sure it’s valid for more than 6 months.
- Visa – Most countries visiting Jordan will require a Visa including the USA. A visa can be purchased at the airport upon arrival for around $50USD or thru the Jordan Pass (more on that later).
- Jordan Pass – We highly recommend this insane value enriched pass! The Jordan Pass grants you access to over 40 attractions, including Petra, Jerash, and Wadi Rum. Depending on the length of your stay, you can choose from three different pass options, all of which include the visa fee if you stay for at least three nights.
- Local Currency – The Jordanian Dinar (JOD) is the local currency. ATMs are widely available in urban areas, but carrying some cash is advisable when visiting rural regions.
- Modest Clothing – Jordan is a conservative country, so pack clothing that covers your shoulders and knees if you’re planning on visiting mosques or other sacred sites. Light, breathable fabrics are ideal for the warm climate.
- Comfortable Shoes – You’ll be doing a lot of walking, especially when exploring sites like Petra and Jerash. Comfortable, sturdy shoes are a must for navigating the uneven rocky terrains.
- Swimming Clothes – Definitely pack some clothes for swimming if you plan on visiting the Dead Sea or Aqaba (which You should).
Transportation
Infrastructure and roads across the country are surprisingly well maintained. Most international flights will arrive in the capital city of Amman, where you can easily find a taxi to your hotel downtown or the Dead Sea for around $35USD. Traffic in they city of Amman is pretty bad (not as bad as Egypt thankfully), so the best way to get around is by Uber which is extremely cheap (around $1 – $5 USD). If you’re venturing outside of the City and Dead Sea Resort areas to Petra or Wadi Rum desert, renting a car or signing up for tours with transportation are the best options. Driving gives you the freedom to explore at your own pace and will save you tons of money if you want to explore the famous landmarks on your own. The roads to get to Petra are pretty simple and well maintained, essentially just a straight shot south for about 3hrs.
Accommodation Options
Jordan offers a wide range of accommodation, from luxury resorts to budget-friendly hostels:
- Luxury Hotels and Resorts – Amman, the Dead Sea, and Aqaba are home to some top-tier hotels offering all the comforts of modern luxury. The Dead Sea resorts are particularly popular for their spas and direct access to the sea. We stayed at the Hilton Dead Sea Resort which had amazing amenities right along the shores of the Dead Sea.
- Mid-Range Hotels: These are plentiful throughout Jordan, offering comfortable stays without breaking the bank. Many are family-run, providing a more personalized experience. It’s easy to find 4 or 5 star hotels in Amman for less than $100 USD! The Amman Paradise and the Gloria Hotel were both excellent.
- Boutique and Heritage Hotels: For something unique, consider staying in a boutique hotel or a renovated Ottoman-era house in Amman or Madaba.
- Budget Hostels and Guesthouses: Backpackers and budget travelers will find plenty of affordable options, especially in Amman and Wadi Musa, the gateway to Petra.
- Bedouin Camps: For an unforgettable experience, spend a night under the stars in a traditional Bedouin camp in Wadi Rum. These camps range from basic to luxurious, offering an authentic taste of Bedouin life. Sleeping in the middle of the desert was one of the highlights of our trip! Don’t worry, it’s less of a tent and more of a modern apartment with its own bathroom, electricity, comfy beds, and running water.
Expected Budget
Flights to Jordan will most likely be your largest cost, with an average around $1,000 USD leaving from the USA East coast. After that, food and hotels are relatively cheap (excluding the Dead Sea Resorts & the Bedouin tents). Purchasing the Jordan Pass will alleviate the burden of paying for the major attractions individually like Petra and the travel visa. Our entire trip for 5 days was around $2,000 USD. To save money on exchange rates, we only withdrew cash from ATMs in the city.
Highlights of Jordan
Jordan is home to over 100,000 archaeological sites and one of the most impressive wonders of the world. There is so much history and culture to discover but fortunately, the country is small and can be explored in around 5 or 6 days. We’ll do another post that goes more in-depth with each of these iconic attractions, but here’s a few of the notorious sites you can’t miss while visiting Jordan:
- Petra – One of the new 7 Wonders of the World, Petra is Jordan’s most famous site known as the Rose-red city intricately carved into the mountainside.
- Wadi Rum – A massive desert landscape with majestic cliffs known as the famous filming locations for popular movies like Star Wars, Dune, and the Martian.
- The Dead Sea – The Dead Sea is the lowest point on Earth where you can magically float in its mineral rich waters.
- Amman – The country’s capital city is rich in culture and history, where you can find ancient sites like the Citadel as well as delicious Jordanian cuisine and fascinating museums like the Royal Tank or Royal Automobile museum.
- Jerash – This ancient Roman city is one of the best-preserved in the entire world and only about 50mins from Amman.
- Aqaba – For a refreshing excursion, head to Jordan’s southernmost point along the Red Sea where you can snorkel or scuba dive in a coral reef with vibrant water.
Jordan is a beautiful country filled with incredible natural scenery and ancient relics from a distant past. The country’s relatively small size makes it easy to explore with limited time or add onto a multi country trip (stay tuned for some adventures in the United Arab Emirates)! The only negative is the persistence of the vendors trying to hustle their merchandise and the temperature can be hot at times. But the tasty food, friendly people, and amazing sights more than make up for it. Stay tuned for more epic adventures thru Jordan and the Middle East! Until then, thanks for reading and keep leveling up!
Check out more essential tips in our Jordan Travel Vlog!
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