Burma
Burma at a Glance
Costs: Moderate: $50-80 per day - covers guesthouse stays, meals and local transport in small-town Jordan.
Safety: Generally safe, conservative local culture - low violent crime; respect conservative local customs and dress.
Best Time: Mar-May, Sep-Nov - spring and autumn bring mild temperatures and wildflowers.
Why Visit Burma?
In Jerash Governorate, this small town offers proximity to one of Jordan’s star attractions - the Roman ruins of Jerash - while keeping a quieter, provincial feel. Local culture centers on shared meals like mansaf and evenings marked by dabke dancing and coffeehouse conversation. Visitors interested in archaeology, authentic Jordanian hospitality, and regional cuisine will appreciate the blend of ancient history and everyday life.
Best Things to Do in Burma
Archaeological Site
Temple of Artemis, Jerash
Roman temple ruins within Greco-Roman Jerash site
Archaeological Site
Al-Maghtas
Jordan River baptism site and pilgrimage complex
Archaeological Site
Gadara
Ancient Hellenistic city with Roman ruins
Trail
Jordan Trail
Valley
Jordan Valley
Fertile rift valley along the Jordan River
Archaeological Site
Pella
Ancient Greco-Roman city ruins and archaeological site
Park
Gan HaShlosha National Park
Israeli national park with natural warm pools and greenery
Fort
Alexandrium
Archaeological site in northern West Bank, Hellenistic remains
Burma Bucket List
Don't Miss
Jerash Archaeological Park (Gerasa) - Exceptionally preserved Roman colonnades, theaters, and plazas, easily explored on foot.
Tell Mar Elias - Byzantine archaeological site traditionally associated with Prophet Elijah’s birthplace, with ruins to explore.
Local village markets near Jerash - Markets offering fresh produce, spices, and traditional Jordanian snacks and pastries.
Hidden Gems
Ajloun Castle - 12th-century Muslim castle with hilltop views and winding courtyards nearby.
Local olive groves and presses - Family-run olive groves where visitors can sample pressed oil and local delicacies.
Rural walking routes around Jerash - Quiet farm tracks passing ancient sites, citrus groves, and small roadside cafés.
Day Trips
Ajloun Forest Reserve - Pine-covered hills offering hiking trails, picnic areas, and cooler mountain air.
Dead Sea (day trip) - Float in hypersaline waters and visit shoreline resorts within easy driving distance.
Nearby Cities #
Best Time to Visit Burma
Burma (Jerash area) is at its best in spring and autumn when temperatures are mild and the hills bloom. Summers get very hot and winters bring rain and chilly nights.
Winter
Cool, often wet weather-good for museums and fewer crowds, but expect muddy archaeological sites and chilly evenings requiring a warm layer.
Spring
Perfect weather for exploring ruins and walking hills-warm days, crisp mornings, and wildflowers everywhere. Bring a light jacket for early mornings and evenings.
Summer
Hot, dry, and often oppressive-sightseeing midday is brutal. Visit very early or late, drink plenty of water, and avoid strenuous hikes during peak heat.
Burma's climate is classified as Hot-Summer Mediterranean - Hot-Summer Mediterranean climate with hot summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 5°C to 31°C. Semi-arid with limited rainfall with a pronounced dry season.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Acceptable | 5° - 13° | 7° | 88 mm | partly cloudy | 68% | 2.6 m/s | 0.5 low | 10.1h |
| February | Good | 6° - 14° | 8° | 84 mm | partly cloudy | 66% | 2.9 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 10.9h |
| March | Very Good | 7° - 17° | 12° | 60 mm | partly cloudy | 63% | 3.0 m/s | 1.2 high | 11.9h |
| April | Excellent | 11° - 22° | 17° | 19 mm | some cloud | 56% | 3.1 m/s | 1.7 very high | 12.9h |
| May | Ideal | 14° - 27° | 21° | 5 mm | mostly sunny | 49% | 3.1 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 13.7h |
| June | Ideal | 17° - 30° | 23° | 0 mm | clear | 47% | 3.8 m/s | 2.6 extreme | 14.1h |
| July | Ideal | 19° - 31° | 25° | 0 mm | clear | 49% | 3.7 m/s | 2.6 extreme | 13.9h |
| August | Ideal | 19° - 31° | 25° | 0 mm | clear | 53% | 3.3 m/s | 2.3 extreme | 13.2h |
| September | Ideal | 18° - 30° | 24° | 0 mm | clear | 54% | 3.1 m/s | 1.8 very high | 12.2h |
| October | Ideal | 15° - 26° | 21° | 7 mm | mostly sunny | 53% | 2.3 m/s | 1.2 high | 11.2h |
| November | Very Good | 10° - 20° | 15° | 41 mm | mostly sunny | 55% | 2.6 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 10.4h |
| December | Good | 6° - 15° | 10° | 74 mm | partly cloudy | 63% | 2.0 m/s | 0.5 low | 9.9h |
How to Get to Burma
Burma (in Jerash Governorate) is reached by road from Amman. Most visitors fly into Queen Alia (AMM) and continue by bus, minibus or taxi to Jerash and then to the local village.
Queen Alia International Airport (AMM): Amman’s main international airport, about 45-60 minutes from northern governorates by road. Taxis from AMM to Jerash area typically cost JD 30-45 and take roughly 1-1.5 hours depending on traffic; shared airport shuttles and private transfers are also available.
Amman Marka Airport / other domestic options: Marka (OMF) handles limited regional flights and charters; most international visitors arrive at AMM and continue by road to Jerash Governorate.
Train: Jordan has no intercity passenger rail network connecting AMM to Jerash; rail is not a travel option.
Bus: Buses depart Amman (North Bus Station / Abdali transport hub) to Jerash regularly. Public buses and service minibuses cost around JD 1-2 and take about 45-60 minutes from downtown Amman to Jerash; from Jerash town, local taxis can reach smaller communities like Burma in under 15-30 minutes depending on location.
How to Get Around Burma
Road travel is the only practical way to reach Burma in Jerash Governorate. The cheapest option is a public bus or minibus from Amman; taxis or private transfers are faster and useful if you have luggage or limited time.
- Intercity bus / service minibus (JD 1-2) - Public buses and shared minibuses from Amman to Jerash are frequent and cheap (JD 1-2). They depart from Amman’s northern bus hubs; expect a 45-60 minute journey under normal traffic.
- Taxi / private transfer (JD 30-45) - Taxis offer direct door-to-door service from Amman or the airport to Jerash and surrounding villages. From AMM expect JD 30-45 for a fixed-price taxi to Jerash (about 1-1.5 hours); agree the fare up front or use a metered service where available.
- Airport shuttle - Private shuttle companies and hotel transfers operate between AMM and Amman city/nearby governorates; combine a shuttle to Amman with a local minibus to reach Jerash if you want lower cost than a private taxi.
- Local taxi / service - Once in Jerash Governorate, local taxis and service vehicles connect small towns and villages. Distances are short and fares are modest; drivers can advise the best route to small settlements.
- Walking - Walking is fine for short distances within Jerash town or a village; archaeological sites have paths but bring sun protection in summer.
Where to Stay in Burma
Budget
Jerash / Amman - $20-60/night
Burma (Jerash Governorate) is small; few on-site lodgings exist. Budget travelers usually stay in Jerash town or Amman and visit the area by day.
Jerash guesthouses and budget hotels (listings) - Basic rooms near the ruins
Budget options in Amman (for day trips) - Economical city stays
Mid-Range
Jerash / Amman - $60-140/night
Mid-range hotels are available in Jerash and Amman. They offer comfortable rooms and easier access to archaeological sites and transport links.
Jerash mid-range hotels (listings) - Comfortable local hotels near attractions
Grand Hyatt Amman - Convenient base for exploring northern governorates
Luxury
Amman - $150+/night
Burma has no luxury hotels. For premium accommodation, stay in Amman where international luxury hotels and suites are available.
Le Méridien Amman - Upscale services in the capital
Luxury hotels in Amman (listings) - Full-service international properties
Where to Eat in Burma
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Burma’s restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Nightlife in Burma
There’s little in the way of nightlife in Burma itself. Evenings are quiet with no regular bars, nightclubs, or live‑music venues. For restaurants, cafés and nighttime activity head to Jerash or Amman where evening options are more varied.
Shopping in Burma
Local shopping is basic: small grocers and street vendors supply daily essentials. There aren’t formal shopping centers in town, so bring anything specific you need from Jerash or Amman. Markets in nearby towns offer a better selection of produce and household goods if you plan a day trip.