Jordan Travel Guide

• Petra & Wadi Rum: Walk the Siq to Petra’s Treasury, hike to the Monastery and High Place, jeep or camel tours in Wadi Rum, overnight in a Bedouin camp and stargaze.
• Amman & the North: Explore Amman’s Citadel and souks, visit Roman Jerash, climb Ajloun Castle, sample street food and coffee culture.
• Dead Sea & Madaba: Float on the Dead Sea, try therapeutic mud treatments, see Madaba’s mosaics and visit Umm ar-Rasas’ ruins.
• East & Wilderness: Birdwatch at Azraq wetlands, tour Azraq Castle, visit remote desert castles and take scenic drives through highland villages.

Northern Highlands (Irbid, Ajloun, Jerash): The northern highlands are cooler and wetter than the rest of Jordan, with rolling wooded hills and Roman ruins around Irbid, Ajloun and Jerash. Winters (November-March) bring most of the rain and occasional snow at higher elevations; spring is verdant and pleasant while summers are hot but cooler than the Jordan Valley. Best months for walking and archaeology are March-May and September-October; watch for khamsin dust in spring and muddy tracks after winter storms.

Central Highlands (Amman, Madaba, Salt): Amman and the central highlands sit at 700-1,100 m, making them noticeably cooler than the Jordan Valley and red-sea coast. Winters (Nov-Mar) are the wettest and can bring frost and occasional snow in the city’s higher quarters; summers are dry and warm but less oppressive than low-lying areas. Best times for city sightseeing are April-June and September-November; pack layers for chilly nights and be ready for muddy streets in winter.

Southern Deserts (Petra, Wadi Rum): Jordan’s southern deserts encompass Petra, Wadi Rum and the high southern plateaus: dramatic diurnal swings, scarce rain, and flash-flood risk. Winters can be chilly, especially at night in Petra and the higher rims, while summers bring intense daytime heat across open sandstone and gravel plains. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable for trekking and archaeological visits; be cautious of sudden storms that funnel water through narrow canyons in winter and autumn.

Most international arrivals land at Queen Alia International Airport (AMM) near Amman; Aqaba (AQJ) serves the south and sees regional traffic. Jordan is also accessible overland from Israel and Egypt at designated border crossings, and many travellers arrive via regional hubs in the UAE, Turkey and Qatar.

Typical tourist daily spending runs JOD 28-85 (about $40-120), with Amman and resort areas pricier and rural or hostel stays cheapest.

• Hostel dorm bed: JOD 7-15
• Basic guesthouse room: JOD 20-35
• Mid-range hotel: JOD 30-60
• Upscale hotel: from JOD 90
• Market or street-stall meal: JOD 2-4
• Bottle of local beer: JOD 3-5
• Organised tour or activity: JOD 50-90
• Taxi across town: JOD 3-10

For current prices on hundreds of everyday items, see Numbeo’s Jordan cost of living, a crowd-sourced database that is updated often.

Ways to save

• Use the Jordan Pass.: Buy the Jordan Pass before arrival if you plan to visit Petra and other sites to save on the visa fee and combined entry costs.
• Eat local and share taxis.: Choose street food and mezze in cities and share taxis or use JETT coaches between major destinations to cut transport and meal costs.
• Book camps and resorts early.: Reserve Wadi Rum camps and Dead Sea or Aqaba hotels in peak seasons for better rates and availability.

Full trip budgets are in Jordan Itineraries.

The currency is the Jordanian dinar (JOD). Cards are commonly accepted in Amman and tourist areas, but cash is still king in smaller towns and for taxis; ATMs are readily available in cities. Be aware that smaller vendors and some services expect cash.

• Tipping: Tipping is customary: mid-range and upmarket restaurants usually add a 10% service charge and 16% sales tax to the menu prices, so check the bill; where service isn't included leave about 10%. Give small tips to porters and hotel staff, tip your Wadi Rum and Petra guides, and round up for taxi drivers.
• Cards & Cash: Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted at hotels, larger restaurants and shops; smaller businesses, markets and rural services often require cash. Some high-end places accept AmEx, but don't rely on it outside major centers.
• ATMs & Mobile Payments: ATMs are plentiful in urban and tourist areas, though fees vary by bank and your issuer; carry some cash for remote areas. Mobile payments are developing but not yet a universal alternative for tourists, so bank cards and cash remain primary options.

Hospitality and honour are central: accept offers of tea or coffee and respond politely. Dress modestly in conservative areas, but urban Amman is more relaxed and tourists are generally treated with tolerance.

Jordan has solid mobile coverage in urban areas and on major highways, with three main carriers offering 4G service and competitive prepaid data. Fixed broadband is concentrated in cities and can support remote work and streaming. Rural and desert areas have more limited connectivity.

• Electricity: 230V, 50 Hz; plug types C, F, G.

Mostly safe for tourists, but risks from regional conflict, occasional missile strikes and crime mean you must stay alert and follow local advice.

Staying healthy is straightforward in cities with good hospitals, but heat, seasonal flash floods and limited rural services are the main issues to manage.

Jordanian culture combines Bedouin hospitality, centuries of settled urban life, and a strong Hashemite national identity. Travelers will notice an emphasis on generosity, shared meals, and visible layers of ancient and modern heritage.

Meal times: breakfast is often hummus, falafel and ful (stewed fava beans) with flatbread, eaten at simple diners. Lunch is the main meal, from about 13:00 to 16:00, and dinner starts late, often after 20:00. During Ramadan most local restaurants close in daylight and open for the iftar meal at sunset.

What to order: mansaf (lamb cooked in fermented dried yoghurt over rice) is the national dish, traditionally eaten from a shared platter with the right hand. Also try maqluba (an upside-down rice and vegetable pot), musakhan (chicken with sumac and onions on bread), and zarb, the Bedouin meat and vegetables slow-cooked in a pit under the sand in Wadi Rum. For dessert, knafeh, warm cheese pastry soaked in syrup, is a downtown Amman institution.

Mezze and sharing: dinner usually starts with shared mezze such as hummus, mutabbal, tabbouleh and fattoush, and it is easy to make a full meal of it. Vegetarians eat very well this way.

Coffee and tea: sweet mint or sage tea is offered everywhere. Bedouin coffee is bitter and cardamom-scented, served in small cups that the host keeps refilling; gently shake the cup from side to side when you have had enough.

Alcohol: available in hotels, licensed restaurants and bars in Amman, Aqaba, Madaba and around Petra, but rarely elsewhere. Local beer and wine are on many hotel menus.

Paying: check whether the 10% service charge and 16% tax are already on the bill before tipping. Tap water is not usually drunk; use bottled or filtered water.

Jordan’s iconic archaeology and fragile desert environment make cultural sensitivity and resource conservation central to responsible travel in the country.

• Respecting Cultural Norms: Jordan is culturally conservative-dress modestly (especially at mosques and religious sites), observe local customs during Ramadan, and ask before photographing people or private homes.
• Conserve Water: Water is scarce across Jordan; limit showers, reuse towels in hotels, and accept that communities around the Dead Sea and Petra rely on careful water management.
• Responsible Visits to Petra & Archaeological Sites: At Petra and other ancient sites avoid climbing façades or walking off marked routes, use licensed local guides, and book visits through authorized channels to help site preservation and the local economy.
• Support Bedouin Communities: In Wadi Rum and southern deserts choose Bedouin-run camps and tours, buy crafts and meals locally, and hire local guides who conserve desert traditions; see community initiatives such as the Jordan River Foundation.
• Respect Protected Areas: When visiting reserves like the Dana Biosphere Reserve, stay on trails, follow park rules, and avoid collecting plants or archaeological finds to protect habitats and biodiversity.

Long-term living in Jordan centers on Amman for jobs, services and schooling, with Aqaba offering coastal life and the south famous for heritage sites. People move here for regional business, NGO or diplomatic roles, teaching, and cultural or outdoor lifestyles - residency usually requires local sponsorship.

Long-Term Visas: Residence permits issued for employment or investment; tourist visas commonly 30 days and need sponsorship to convert.

Working There: Foreign nationals require a work permit sponsored by a Jordanian employer; common sectors: NGOs, IT, education, tourism.

Cost of Living: Amman one‑bedroom city-centre rents usually JOD 300-500 (~$420-700) per month, central location increases cost.

Health & Wellness: Strong private hospitals in Amman and specialty care, public services more limited outside major cities; private insurance recommended.

Banking & Finance: Banks widely available, Jordanian dinar (JOD) stable and roughly JOD 1 ≈ USD 1.41, account opening often needs ID and residency proof.

Taxes: Progressive personal income tax applies to resident income, employers and employees pay social security contributions.

Popular Places to Live in Jordan

The choice comes down to whether you want city convenience, Red Sea beaches, or historical and desert landscapes. For city amenities and jobs head to Amman; for beach and diving choose Aqaba, while Petra and Wadi Rum cater to history and outdoor adventure seekers.

• Amman - Bustling capital, best for professionals and expats, tradeoff: higher rents and traffic compared with smaller towns.
• Aqaba - Red Sea resort city, suits beach lovers and divers, tradeoff: smaller expat community and fewer services.
• Petra - Historic site and tourism hub, ideal for culture seekers and guides, tradeoff: very seasonal and somewhat remote.
• Dead Sea - Resort area focused on wellness and weekenders, suits quiet relaxation seekers, tradeoff: limited everyday services.
• Irbid - University city with lower costs, suits students and budget residents, tradeoff: fewer multinational job opportunities.

The remote-work scene is concentrated in Amman with smaller pockets in Aqaba; reliable internet and coworking make city stays workable. There is no dedicated nomad visa, so remote workers rely on tourist stays or formal residency routes through work or investment.

Nomad Visa: None - use tourist visa (typically 30 days, extendable) or obtain work/investor residence for longer stays.

Long Term Rentals: Long-term furnished rentals common in Amman; one-bed city-centre flats often JOD 300-500 monthly, furnished options available.

Internet: Reliable 4G nationwide, fiber available in Amman and major towns; typical fixed speeds vary widely by plan and provider.

Monthly Cost: Monthly nomad budgets in Amman typically $800-1,500 including rent, depending on housing and lifestyle choices.

Coworking: Active coworking scene concentrated in Amman, smaller shared spaces in Aqaba and occasional pop-up workspaces elsewhere.

Fitness & Wellness: Gyms and yoga studios in Amman and Aqaba, ample hiking and outdoor options nearby, wellness services limited in rural areas.

Community: Small but active expat and nomad community centered on Amman, meetups and professional groups provide networking opportunities.

Time Zone: UTC+3 year-round.

Popular Nomad Hubs in Jordan

Nomads choose between Amman for services and community, Aqaba for a coastal pace, or quieter southern and highland bases for outdoors life. Tradeoffs are convenience and connectivity in Amman versus lifestyle and lower costs in smaller towns.

• Amman - Main nomad hub, coworking spaces and cafés, good internet and services, tradeoff: higher rental costs.
• Aqaba - Coastal base for beach life and diving, better climate, tradeoff: smaller coworking community and seasonal tourism.
• Dead Sea - Wellness- and weekend-focused area, suits relaxation stays, tradeoff: limited coworking and everyday amenities.
• Irbid - University city with lower rents, suits students and budget nomads, tradeoff: fewer international meetups and services.