Visiting Jordan | What You Need To Know Before
Last Updated on June 3, 2024 by Wandering Beyond
Welcome to Jordan!
If you’re exploring the Middle East for the first time, visiting Jordan is the perfect destination. It was our first-ever road trip to the Middle East back in 2019. After exploring this beautiful country, it’s one of our all-time favourite destinations.
During our Jordanian road trip, we experienced so many beautiful moments. We stayed with locals, slept in Bedouin campsites, tried traditional food, explored the desert, rode on camels, went on a jeep tour and many more. We made so many unforgettable memories.
Jordan is home to friendly and hospitable people who warmly welcome tourists and always make them feel safe.
If you plan on visiting Jordan, we recommend getting a Jordan Pass. This pass is the ultimate sightseeing package that has been tailor-made for visitors. Passholders can make the most of their trip by visiting top sights and attractions while saving time and money.
Advantages of the Jordan Pass
- Hassle-free prepaid entry to over 40 attractions in Jordan
- Waiving of tourist entry visa fees if you purchase the Jordan Pass before arrival to Jordan and stay a minimum of three nights (4 days)
- Free downloadable digital brochures covering all of Jordan’s tourist attractions
Whether you’re planning a 7-day road trip in Jordan or more, another recommendation is to buy a SIM card at the airport or in town. The Internet will significantly help by using navigation apps like Google Maps while road-tripping. The best one is Zain, as it has affordable data. You can purchase the SIM card from any Zain store. You need an unlocked phone for the SIM card to work.
What to expect in Jordan
The most spoken language is Arabic, but most people have a basic knowledge of English, so communication is not difficult.
The Jordanian currency is the Jordanian Dinar (JOD). ATMs are found almost everywhere around the city, and in hotels and restaurants, you can pay with Mastercard and Visa.
Must see and do while in Jordan
- Drive through Kings Highway
- Eat the Mansaf
- Visit the spectacular Roman Theatre in Amman Citadel
- Roam around the streets of Amman
- See the Temple of Artemis in Jerash
- Go to Mount Nebo in Madaba
- Stay 2 or 3 days in Petra
- Wait for the sunset in Wadi Musa
- Stay a few days in Wadi Rum
- Explore Aqaba
- Float on the Dead Sea
- Catch a glimpse of the Shobak Castle
Essentials you need to pack when visiting Jordan
Even if you make a road trip as we did in Jordan, be prepared to walk. Good hiking or trekking shoes, particularly, support your ankles and will avoid getting tired early. We prefer using The North Face trekking shoes.
Women will find it more practical to cover up when entering mosques, while men will find it convenient to cover their heads from the excessive heat. If you don’t bring one with you, eventually, you’ll buy the traditional Jordanian Keffiyeh.
Since we planned long hours of hiking in Jordan, we always preferred having water bladders to buying bottled water. If you plan backpacking in Jordan, a water bladder is ideal.
Tap water in Jordan isn’t drinkable. Put purifying tablets in the water before drinking. Like they say, better safe than sorry.
Where to stay in Jordan
Jordan is a very hospitable country. We stayed with a local in Amman and felt very safe with him, so we ended up being friends till today. For the other destinations, we booked through Booking.com
Renting a Car in Jordan
We highly recommend renting a car through Discover Cars for a reasonable price to save time and money.
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