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Latest update: 16 September 2025
Petra, the Wadi Rum desert, the Dead Sea… Jordan is actually quite diverse. And the best part: you don’t need weeks and weeks to see a lot, and it’s surprisingly easy to travel around. But before you leave, there are a few practical things you really need to know.
Safe travel to Jordan
Safety is a tricky topic. With all the unrest in the region, I can totally understand if you’d rather pick a different vacation destination. That’s why it’s smart to keep an eye on official travel advisories from your local government. This is the Dutch one.
You can see Jordan as a neutral country in the region. The country isn’t involved in the unrest in neighboring countries. At the time of writing in 2025, Jordan is more than happy to welcome visitors. You can imagine that tourism has taken quite a hit – first because of COVID and now because of the uncertain situation in the Middle East. So right now it’s very quiet tourist-wise. At attractions like Petra, for example, we had all the space we needed.
On the streets in Jordan, you’re very safe. There’s some crime, like pickpocketing, but that happens everywhere. Harassment and catcalling don’t happen. People obviously do try to sell you things, but they usually stay polite. Once, we saw children in Amman holding up their hands asking for money.
Tip 1: “Hello, where are you from?”
If there’s one phrase you’ll often hear in Jordan, it’s “Hello, where are you from?” Many people ask out of curiosity: the owner of a little shop, a student in a coffee shop, and kids on the street. But people who want to sell tours have also discovered that they can quickly start a conversation this way, because it’s an easy question. And once you’ve answered that, they obviously try to sell you something.
That’s why it’s sometimes pretty hard to judge whether you should answer. Do they just want to make contact, or do they want to sell you something? I often give people the benefit of the doubt, and if it turns out to be a sales trick, I quickly cut it short.
Tip 2: Get a Jordan Pass
Buy that Jordan Pass! You get your visa for Jordan and access to more than 40 attractions, including Petra. Your visa alone (40 JD/$56) and one day at Petra (50 JD/$70) cost more than the pass. Want to know more first? Read my blog about whether the Jordan Pass is a good deal – but you already know my answer.
Tip 3: Best (and worst) time to travel to Jordan
April through June and September through November are perfect for a Jordan trip. In May, I had lovely warm weather. I think I only had rain once in Amman. It was perfect weather for activities, and enjoying the outdoor cafes.
From December through February, there can be a lot of rain and surprisingly cold temperatures. Some hiking trails close during this period. July and August are also less pleasant because it gets really hot in Jordan then—sometimes 122°F (50°C)! No thanks.
Also, pay attention to when Ramadan is. During that time, most restaurants close during the day, and attractions have adjusted opening hours. You can definitely travel then, but it requires more planning.
Tip 4: Being online in Jordan
When you travel abroad, you should always check with your phone provider what the internet costs. For Jordan, that’s usually not cheap. That’s why I recommend an e-SIM via Airalo. I just bought it at home, installed the app, and activated it once I am in Jordan.
When you buy an e-SIM from Airalo for the first time, you can get a few dollars off with code THISIS8469.
The app allows me to see my usage and receive a message when my data is about to run out. It’s super handy. The alternative is buying a Jordanian SIM card at the airport or a store, but I find an e-SIM easier.
Tip 5: Uber in Amman
In the capital, Amman, the traffic is really chaotic. Seriously, I thought Amsterdam was busy, but Amman is next level. Fortunately, Uber works perfectly and is super affordable. So, I also recommend picking up your rental car after your visit to Amman or turning it in before you enter Amman and covering longer distances in the city with Uber.
By the way, Amman is a city built on seven hills with little greenery. There are lots of stairs, too—good for the calves! On Saturday evening, downtown Amman is very busy and lively, but on Sunday, it is much quieter.
Tip 6: Driving in Jordan
Jordan is ideal for exploring with a rental car. Outside Amman, the roads are pretty quiet and in good condition. You just have to stop occasionally to cross animals. And I mean everything: camels, goats, sheep, dogs, cats… I even saw a turtle cross the road.
The traffic out of Amman takes some getting used to – people merge without warning and cross over suddenly. But once you’re outside the city it gets much quieter.
The roads are generally fine, but watch out: unexpected speed bumps are everywhere. Just when you’re getting up to speed, BAM, another speed bump. Sometimes they’re marked, sometimes not. You really have to stay alert.
You also regularly encounter police checkpoints along the road, but they’re not a big deal. They usually just want to see your car papers and ask where you’re from. Once they had us open the trunk, took a quick glance, and that was it. Just stay friendly and there’s no problem.
I also noticed that locals hitchhike everywhere, often whole families or people who need to get to work. That’s apparently very normal here, and I think it’s nice that people help each other like that.
If you’re still looking for a rental car, compare prices at DiscoverCars and Rentalcars.com. DELETE
Tip 7: Make sure you have enough cash
Many places only accept cash, so ensure you have enough Jordanian dinars. For the Dutch readers: I ordered money in advance from GWK Travelex to pick up at Schiphol Airport. It was convenient, and there was a good promotion where we got $70 vacation money as a gift. Just make sure you order in time!
Using ATMs abroad can be expensive because of exchange rates and withdrawal fees. If you do use ATMs, try to withdraw larger amounts at once. That’s the most economical option.
Tip 8: Haggling is very normal
Vendors try to sell you all kinds of things everywhere, not just in Petra. Haggling is very normal and even expected. For example, I got a copper teapot from 75 JD to 25 JD by just continuing to negotiate. Taxis also often claim that donkey or horse rides are “included in your ticket” – that’s untrue.
Tip 9: The dress code
Jordan is an Islamic country, and 95% of the population is Muslim. As a woman, you need to cover your shoulders and knees. For mosque visits, you also need a scarf to cover your head, though sometimes they provide a robe for you to put on.
At tourist spots like Petra, it’s more relaxed. But honestly, I don’t think it’s appropriate to suddenly walk around in hot pants and tank tops. Quite a few people did that though.
Men can wear shorts, but we found it more respectful not to. Most Jordanian men wear long pants too.
Tip 10: Weekend falls on Friday and Saturday
Because Jordan is Islamic, the weekend is on Friday and Saturday. On Fridays, more shops are closed and public transport is limited. Popular attractions like Petra are also extra busy then.
Tip 11: Calls to prayer in the middle of the night
The call to prayer starts early. And I mean really early: around 4 AM, you can already hear the first sounds from the mosque. If you’re a light sleeper: bring earplugs! The first night in Amman, we sat bolt upright in bed, but after a few days, we didn’t hear it anymore.
Tip 12: Men sometimes prefer talking to men
This is just cultural: sometimes men prefer to talk to male travelers rather than women. It’s not personal, just a matter of culture. As a female traveler, you notice this especially during negotiations or practical matters. I usually do the talking when I travel with my best friend, but this time he handled everything.
Tip 13: Plan 10-12 days for all the highlights
Jordan isn’t that big, and for all the highlights, you need about 10-12 days. Less is also possible, but then you rush through everything, and that would be a shame. In two weeks, you can really experience the country well and also discover some lesser-known spots. We found two weeks sufficient anyway, although we definitely could have entertained ourselves longer.
Tip 14: Petra – two days is really better
One day at Petra is possible, but you’ll see the highlights without time to really enjoy them. With two days you can calmly explore everything and visit Petra from both the regular entrance and the back door route. Worth it!
You’ll be asked for your passport in Petra, so make sure you have it with you. Food and drinks are pretty expensive there, so bring enough water.
Tip 15: Lots of street cats
Throughout the trip, you’ll see lots of street cats. Locals claim they’re well taken care of, and you see cat food on the street here and there, but honestly, most cats look dirty and thin and scavenge through garbage cans. It’s pretty sad to see.
Tip 16: Also bring warm clothes
It can still be quite cold in the evenings and at night in the mountains and deserts. In Wadi Rum, I really needed a cardigan or sweater as soon as the sun went down, and in Amman in May, I also found it nice to put on a warm cardigan in the evening.
Tip 17: Water: be economical and be smart
Jordan has big problems with drought and water shortages, so be economical with water when showering. I also recommend bringing a water bottle. I quickly grabbed a Dopper at Schiphol after I dropped and broke mine.
Tip 18: Check the weather for hikes
Always check the weather if you plan to go on hikes, like the ones in Wadi Mujib or Wadi Ghuweir. These can flood during rain, which is life-threatening. Even Petra sometimes deals with flooding. Wadi Mujib is closed from November to April anyway.
Tip 19: Shoes for wadis – learn from my mistake
Good hiking boots are essential, but also bring water shoes if you’re going to hike wadis. In Wadi Ghuweir, I walked for hours in soaked hiking boots because the guide didn’t understand the concept of water shoes. He wore flip-flops and didn’t understand why we wanted to change shoes. I finally gave in and walked the rest of the hike in soaking wet shoes. Don’t do that!
Tip 20: No universal adapter needed
The outlets in Jordan sometimes have wider holes, but we could plug our Dutch plugs in everywhere.
Tip 21: Animal welfare: skip the camels and donkeys
The way animals are treated isn’t always like we’re used to, especially the camels and donkeys for tourist rides. In Petra, they often stand waiting for passengers in the full sun. Just don’t do that. It’s sad.
The final bonus Jordan tips
- Download offline maps because reception can be poor, especially in the mountains.
- Bring a power bank. My phone always runs out quickly when I take many photos, so I always carry an Anker one.
- Bring comfortable hiking boots for hikes and for exploring Petra.
- Bring clothes that can get wet for the various wadis.
More Jordan inspiration
Useful links for your Jordan trip
- Accommodation. Booking.com is always useful, but be sure to compare prices. For example, through Trivago and Trip. Rather stay in a hostel? Try HostelWorld.
- Activities. Book the best tours and activities at GetYourGuide, Klook and Viator. “Free” walking tours book with Freetour or GuruWalk.
- Attractions and museums. For 5% off museums and attractions, use discount code KIMOPREIS22 at Tiqets.
- Car rental. Compare your options at Discover Cars and Rentalcars.com.
- Guide books. I love the practical guides by Lonely Planet, for sale at Amazon.
- SIM card. Beware of unexpectedly high phone and internet costs. Buy a local SIM card when you arrive, or arrange one online via Airalo.
- Package deals. Rather go on a catered trip? You could check out Expedia or CheapOair.
- Flights. Compare all your options! At least check Expedia, Kiwi and Trip.
- Yoga retreat. Or: go for a yoga retreat in Jordan.
Some of the links on this site are affiliate links. If you buy something through these links, I might receive a small commission.
