Jordan is an absolute gem in the Middle East. While often overlooked, Jordan is an incredible country and home to many unique experiences including Petra (one of the 7 Ancient Wonders of the World), the Dead Sea (the lowest place on Earth), and Wadi Rum (an iconic and other-worldly expanse of desert). Plus Jordanians are incredibly friendly and hospitable people! Backpacking Jordan is an amazing experience and is the perfect introduction to travelling in the Middle East.

In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to know for your Jordan trip, including when to go, what to wear, safety considerations, how to get around, and our favourite places to visit.

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About Jordan

Jordan (officially called the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, HKJ) is a Middle Eastern country most notably known for the archaeological site of the ancient city of Petra.

With a land area of almost 90 thousand square kilometres (just under 35 thousand square miles), Jordan is smaller than Cuba (or around the size of Maine, USA), and has a population of around 10 million people.

Location

Jordan is an Arab country in the Middle East located on the East Bank of the Jordan River (fun fact- this is where the name ‘West Bank’ for Palestine came from, as it’s on the western bank of the Jordan River and was historically part of Jordan). Jordan has land borders with Israel, Syria, Iraq and Saudi Arabia.

A Brief History of Jordan

Although a relatively new nation (officially becoming an independent modern state in 1946), the land of Jordan has a rich and ancient history. There is evidence of human settlement dating back to the Paleolithic Era around 50,000 years ago. One of the most powerful periods was around the Roman Era when Jordan was ruled by the Nabatean kingdom. The Nabateans were the civilisation which constructed the spectacular city of Petra and traded with many neighbouring cultures.

Throughout the centuries Jordan has been occupied by the Greeks, Romans, Egyptians, Crusaders and the Ottoman Empire, yet always retained its fundamental identity. Today the country exists as the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan (a reference to the Royal Family in power since 1921) and is one of the most liberal, stable and developed nations in the region.

Climate & When to Visit Jordan

Jordan’s climate is influenced by both the humidity of the eastern Mediterranean and the aridity of the Arabian desert, resulting in a hot dry climate with long hot summers and short cool winters.

Best Time to Visit Jordan

The best time to visit Jordan is Spring, from March to May, when temperatures are warm but manageable, the skies are clear and there’s little rain. Unfortunately, this is when everyone wants to holiday in Jordan and you’ll find the prices are high and Jordan’s attractions are overrun with package tourists.

We recommend backpacking Jordan in mid-February or early March to get the best weather and less overcrowding. At this time the days should be clear and a little cooler, the prices a little cheaper, and Jordan’s tourist hotspots less crowded.

If that isn’t possible we would choose to visit Jordan in autumn or winter (mid-September to February) rather than summer (June to September). Autumn and winter in Jordan are characterised by shorter days, chilly temperatures, and short rainfall or even snowfall in the dead of winter. While summer is filled with long, hot and dry 40+ degree days (104+ Fahrenheit) which make exploring a grueling experience. Additionally, as summer is when most of the northern hemisphere is on summer holidays prices are more expensive than autumn and winter.

Ramadan in Jordan

Ramadan is a month of fasting, prayer, reflection and community for Muslims around the world, and is celebrated on the 9th month of the Islamic calendar annually (meaning it’s celebrated in different months every year on the Gregorian calendar- AKA the one used by the US, Europe, Australia, etc).

The most obvious and impactful aspect of Ramadan for tourists is that Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset (meaning the entire day), with most not even consuming water! Fasting for Ramadan is widely practiced in Jordan, and many restaurants will not be open during the day.

We visited both Jordan and Egypt during Ramadan and decided to join the locals in fasting during the day (minus water- because you must keep hydrated in 30+ degree heat)… it really isn’t that hard!

An incredible aspect of travelling Jordan during Ramadan is seeing (and being a part of) Iftar, the daily breaking fast after sunset. The entire country stops at the evening call to prayer and everyone joins family, friends or simply others nearby (which we saw before catching the ferry from Aqaba to Nuweiba in Egypt) to pray and eat a communal meal.

Backpacking Jordan in Ramadan is a really special experience, so make sure to embrace the experience and join the Jordanians in their fast and Iftar celebrations, and remember the phrases “Ramadan Mubarak” and “Ramadan Kareem” (meaning “blessed Ramadan” or “happy Ramadan”).

Is Jordan Safe to Visit

The short answer is, YES, Jordan is incredibly safe to visit.

Despite having large land borders with Syria, Iraq, and Palestine (which we personally believe is also very safe for travellers), Jordan remains one of the safest, most stable and prosperous countries in the Middle East.

The biggest threat to travellers in Jordan is minor crime (like pickpocketing) and scams, which you’ll find equally in any touristy city in Europe!

You will encounter more security guards and x-ray scanning machines when entering upscale resorts, shopping centres and the like than you’re used to, but this is a minor inconvenience and is there to protect everyone.

At no point during our Jordan Backpacking adventures did we even question our safety!

Language

Arabic (Modern Standard Arabic ) is the official language of Jordan, and is taught in school, while most of the population speak Jordanian Arabic (a dialect of Arabic) in everyday communication.

English is also widely spoken, especially within the tourism sector and business community. You can easily travel in Jordan only speaking English, however we always recommend you learn a few key phrases in the local language (which is both polite and useful).

Check out this great video for pronunciation and more Arabic phrases!

Religion

Islam is the primary religion in Jordan, with over 95% of the population identifying as Muslim (over 90% Suni Muslim). However, there are also small (local) Christian communities in Jordan dating back as far as 1AD.

When travelling in Jordan you’ll hear the melodic call to prayer (adhan) played 5 times a day. The five daily prayers (salat) are among the most important daily commitments of Islam.

For more information about Islam see here.

What to Wear in Jordan

As a traveller it’s important to be both respectful of local culture and customs, and comfortable in your clothing. When visiting a hot destination most of us would usually be rocking shorts and tank tops, but in many countries this will get you a lot of (negative) attention, and may actually be offensive.

While Jordan is an Islamic Middle Eastern country, it is certainly not as conservative as some of its neighbours. In Amman many young people wear the latest fashion styles like skinny jeans, and you will see a few women without headscarves. However in regional areas and small communities, it’s common to see women wearing the hijab and long loose clothing, while men in Jordan usually wear long pants (not shorts) and shirts.

The other consideration when travelling in Jordan is the heat! Jordan is primarily hot and dry, so you’ll want loose, light and airy clothing that covers a bit of skin to keep you cool and prevent sunburn.

So what should you actually wear in Jordan?

What Should Men Wear in Jordan

As always the rules for acceptable attire for men are much more relaxed than women. Generally, men should wear shirts or t-shirts that cover their shoulders, and long pants are more socially acceptable than shorts (however no one will comment if a man wears shorts either).

What Should Women Wear in Jordan

Jordan is more relaxed than some Middle Eastern countries (think Iran and Saudi Arabia) but it certainly isn’t as liberal as Lebanon or Israel in regards to women’s attire.

When visiting Jordan women should cover their shoulders and chest. You should also wear long pants or a skirt (covering at least the knee).

Scoop and v-neck t shirts are totally fine, but you want to avoid drawing too much attention to that area. Ash has a lightweight scarf to wear loosely around her neck and chest when wanting to cover up a little more (or protect her head from the sun like the bedoiun on our Wadi Rum trip).

When visiting touristy private beaches and resorts in the Dead Sea and Aqaba wearing a bikini is fine, but always have a dress or cover up to wear once you leave the beach or pool, and assess the situation when you’re there. The public beaches in Aqaba are usually packed with locals and bikinis aren’t appropriate. At the end of the day, use your judgment, if everyone else is covered up you may want to wear a tshirt and shorts while swimming to avoid attention.

Money in Jordan

The currency in Jordan is the Jordanian Dinar

Current exchange rate (Sept 2019) is 1 JD – $1.40 USD

US dollars and Euro’s are occasionally accepted for tours and at Petra, but it’s not common and the exchange rate will be terrible.

The best practice is to withdraw JD from one of the numerous ATMs in Amman, Petra and Aqaba. Credit cards are accepted in large hotels and some restaurants in Amman, but cash is still king in Jordan so always have a spare stash of cash.

Budget for Backpacking Jordan

Jordan is not as cheap as some Middle Eastern countries (Egypt and Iran come to mind), but it’s not as expensive as neighbouring Israel.

We spent 98 JD ($140) per day as a couple travelling in Jordan.

Not included in our total costs is Ashlea’s birthday splurge at a resort on the Dead Sea, our flights into Jordan and our ferry from Jordan to Egypt, as these costs will vary.

If we included all transport and splurges our total cost for Jordan was 160 JD ($225) per day as a couple. If you are a more luxury traveller this is probably a more realistic budget for your trip.

*Those on a super tight budget could manage on $50 a day (not including flights/getting there) by only using public transport, eating cheap local meals, not drinking alcohol (its expensive!), and not joining tours or many activities.

About Our Travel Style:

We call ourselves ‘luxury backpackers’ (‘flashpackers’ is the technical term, but we dislike it). We are backpackers that choose small splurges for comfort.



We stay in comfortable affordable accommodation, whether that is a nice dorm room, cheap hotel or cute AirBnb, and enjoy splurging on meals out, drinks (alcohol) and occasionally take the ‘easy way out’ (ie a taxi ride rather than 3 buses). We are strategic with our activity choices, but would never miss out on something we wanted to do just to save money.

Average Costs for Backpacking in Jordan:

Accommodation in Jordan

*We asked for an upgrade when checking in to our Dead Sea resort (as it was Ashlea’s birthday), and while we didn’t get a free upgrade, we were offered a heavily discounted sea view room (which we took… because Ashlea’s birthday!)

Our Favourite accommodation booking app for Jordan is Booking.com.

Jett Bus- 8.60 JD, Uber (Amman only)- 1-2 JD, Taxi within city- 2-5 JS, Taxi between cities- 30+ JD. Private Driver- 100+ JD

Food & Drink in Jordan





Local Restaurant- 1-3JD, Tourist restaurant-5-15JD, Western Fast Food (ie Mcdonalds)- 3-5JD. Local fast food .5 – 2 JD, Beer- 5-8 JD, Coke/Pepsi- 1-3 JD, Bottled Water- 1-2 JD, Cup of Coffee- 0.5-5 JD

Transport in Jordan

We would avoid catching taxi’s in Amman (especially in the tourist areas/bus station as they are known to rip you off- we were offered a taxi for 8JD to our hostel- a journey that should cost around 2-3JD.

Between cities taxi’s can be a great deal! We paid 30 JD for a taxi from Petra to Wadi Rum, and shared the costs with another couple (meaning it cost less than the bus).

For more information on how to get around jump down to the Transport in Jordan section.

ett Bus- 8.60 JD, Uber (Amman only)- 1-2 JD, Taxi withi city- 2-5 JS, Taxi between cities- 30+ JD, Private Driver- 100+ JD

Activities in Jordan

The cost of activities will very much depend on what you’re interested in and how you travel. Do you like to DIY it and organise everything yourself, join group tours, or a bit of both? We generally prefer to organise things ourselves, but found during our Jordan Backpacking trip it was quite difficult to do some things without a tour unless you had a rental car!

Some average prices for your reference:

Day Trips:

– Group Day Tour from Amman to Jerash or the Dead Sea: 35 – 70 JD+ ($50 – $100+)

– Taxi (return trip) to Jerash or the Dead Sea (up to 4 people share): 30 – 45 JD ($40 – $60)

– Public Transport to Jerash or the Dead Sea (return): 7 – 14 JD ($10 – $20)

Activities:

– Jeep Tour in Wadi Rum: 15 – 30 JD+ ($20 – $50)

– Canyoning Wadi Mujib: 21 JD ($30)

– Scuba Diving Red Sea (certified- single dive): 25 JD ($35)

Visas for Jordan

Visa on Arrival: 40 JD ($56)

Jordan Pass: 70 – 80 JD ($99 – 113)

ASEZA Visa When Entering Jordan via Aqaba: *free

Residents of most countries (including the US, Canada, UK, EU, Australia and New Zealand) are eligible for a 30 days visa on arrival in Jordan, with a cost of 40 JD per person for a single entry visa.

However, you should seriously consider purchasing the Jordan Pass (unless entering via Aqaba), which includes a waiver for the visa on arrival fee, entry to Petra and over 40 other attractions in Jordan.

If you are staying in the country at least 4 days and plan to visit Petra, the Jordan Pass will actually save you money (whether or not you visit any of the other attractions included).

The only possible exception to getting the Jordan Pass is if you are entering Jordan via Aqaba, through the Aqaba airport, the Eilat/Aqaba border, or on the ferry from Egypt to Aqaba. Entering Jordan through Aqaba entitles tourists to the ASEZA (Aqaba Special Economic Zone Area) visa waiver, and you will get a free 30-day tourist visa on arrival. To qualify for the visa you must spend at least 2 nights in Jordan, and some sources state you must enter and exit through the same border (we discuss this more in our Jordan Pass Review).

Please note: If dont you meet the minimum period to quality for the free visa you will be asked to pay for one upon departure!

To sum it up, we would highly recommend you look at the Jordan Pass to save yourself some serious money when backpacking Jordan. However, if you are entering Jordan through Aqaba you’ll need to assess how many sites (other than Petra) you’re interested in visiting to see whether you’ll save any money (check here for the current entry costs for Jordan’s main attractions).

>> See our comprehensive review of the Jordan Pass here for more information and considerations.

Transport in Jordan

Getting In & Out

Flights To & From Jordan

Jordan has two international airports (Amman and Aqaba) with flight links to most Middle Eastern and European airports.

From Europe

Budget airlines have made backpacking Jordan an affordable option from Europe, with plenty of deals starting from only £10 ($13) per person each way, if you’re flexible and book early enough.

Ryanair has cheap flights to Amman from many European countries including Belgium (Brussels), Italy (Bologna & Milan), Germany (Memmingen) and Poland (Krakow & Warsaw); see all the options here. You can also fly to Aqaba with Ryanair from a few European countries including Germany (Cologne) and Italy (Milan & Rome); see the full list here.

Easyjet also offers cheap flights to Aqaba from the UK (London Gatwick), as well as from Berlin, Geneva, Milan, and Venice.

If you’re flying from Eastern Europe, also check out Wizz Air who have flights to Israel’s new Ramon airport near Eilat (less than 30km across the border from Aqaba) starting from $20.

We flew from Italy (Bologna) to Jordan at the last minute for only €70 each (including checked baggage)

From Turkey, Israel and Egypt

The budget-friendly Turkish airline Pegasus has cheap flights from multiple destinations in Turkey (Istanbul, Ankara and Antalya) and from many European cities (with a stopover in Istanbul).

Unfortunately, flights between Jordan and Egypt can be pretty pricey, especially if not booked early enough. You’ll find flights from Amman to Sharm El Sheik for $150-300, or Amman to Cairo for $200-300, but we highly recommend catching the ferry from Aqaba to Nuweiba for a cheaper option- see below).

There are a couple of flights between Jordan and Israel, including with Royal Jordanian, however the prices are very high for such a short flight distances, $300+ for a 45 minute flight! We highly recommend crossing overland, it takes a little longer, but it’s fairly simple and the cost is so much cheaper, plus its must more interesting (see below for more info…)!

From Elsewhere

You’ll generally find flights from elsewhere in the world (North America, Africa, Australia etc) require a stopover, with Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha and Istanbul being the most common.

To find the cheapest deals, check both through tickets (the same airline with a stopover), but also prices for flights ending in Dubai or Istanbul combined with a budget airline from there to Jordan.

We recommend Kiwi flights for finding the cheapest flights, and unique flight combinations (as Kiwi offers combined tickets – with a connection guarantee – for airlines that aren’t traditionally partners).

>> Read more about why Kiwi is the best way to find cheap flights here!

Overland Travel To & From Jordan

Overland travel is only really recommended (or possible) between Jordan and Israel due to ongoing conflicts in neighbouring countries, and the notorious difficulty of entering Saudi Arabia unless on a pilgrimage trip to Mecca, or in possession of a work visa.

But overland travel between Israel and Jordan is super easy with 3 open border crossings. You can travel between Israel and Jordan using the Aqaba – Eilat crossing in the south, the Sheikh Hussein – Jordan River crossing in the north, or the King Hussein Bridge – Allenby crossing into the Palestinian region.

Bonus Tip: If you use the King Hussein Bridge – Allenby crossing into Palestine, you can travel in Israel for up to 2 weeks and then re-enter Jordan using the same ‘single-entry’ Jordan tourist visa (as long as you’re still within your 30 day validity period).

Using this crossing will also avoid the whole debacle of the dreaded Israel entry/exit stamp! (we have heard of people requesting Jordan not stamp entry/exit stamps into their passport successfully- particularly at the Eilat/Aqaba crossing- but one should never rely on this).

Jordan also has borders with Iraq (currently not recommended for safety- check your countries travel advisory for up to date info), and Syria (but this border is closed to tourists for safety).

Jordan to Egypt Ferry

If you’re coming from, or travelling to, Egypt we highly recommend catching the daily local ferry from Jordan to Egypt.

The ferry between Aqaba and Nuweiba is an interesting experience and is the cheapest way to travel between Jordan and Egypt.

Departing Aqaba every day around 1am and docking in Nuweiba (Egypt) around 3 am, the hours are a little antisocial, but this is a cost-effective, timely, and interesting way to travel between Jordan and Egypt.

>> Read more about our experience and how to catch the ferry between Aqaba and Nuweiba here.

Getting Around Jordan

Jordan has decent transport links between Amman, Aqaba, Petra and Wadi Rum, however travelling beyond these areas will be much more challenging.

By Bus

There are two bus types in Jordan that you might use, the tourist JETT bus service, and the local bus (minibus).

The JETT Bus is a great way to travel between some of the main touristic cities in Jordan, the most common route being between Amman, Petra and Aqaba. The buses are comfortable and generally run on time. Tickets cost 8.60 JD.

For all the routes, the latest timetables and to purchase tickets check the website (you can also purchase tickets at bus stations).

The local buses (generally 18 seater minibuses) ply most routes in Jordan, though getting correct information about departures and routes is difficult. Only plan on this option if you have plenty of time to spare and don’t mind waiting around on the side of the road. To make things more difficult, all place names will be in Arabic (and little to no English will be spoken on the bus) so be prepared with your destination written in Arabic.

Taxi

Taxis can be great value to get between cities in Jordan, especially if you have a group to share the cost with, but AVOID taxis in Amman.

We had taxis repeatedly try to rip us off in Amman, and our hostel specifically advised us to avoid taxis and use uber, which we did with great success (see more below).

The only time we had an affordable taxi ride in Amman was when returning from voting at the Australian Embassy. We asked the security guard to call us one as neither of use had a SIM card, and while he spoke zero English he was lovely, and he actually used the meter (which came to less than 2 JD for a 30+ min ride). Don’t trust the guys roaming the tourist districts and bus station.

On the other hand, taxis can be a great deal between cities if you can get a few people together and negotiate a flat rate with the driver! We met a taxi driver in Petra who offered to take us to Wadi Rum for 30 JD (5 – 10 JD less than anyone else quoted), and he was quite the character. He offered to send his friend to pick us up from Wadi Rum and take us to Aqaba the following day for a great price too!

He even insisted on taking this photo with us on the ridge above Petra!

Uber/Careem

Uber (or Careem – its similar) is available in Amman, and is great value! We took half a dozen Uber rides and they were all friendly, safe drivers with excellent service (often giving us bottles of water, mints, the whole deal). We highly recommend using Uber in Amman, most rides cost less than 2 JD for fairly long/busy trips.

Private Driver

If your budget extends to hiring a private transfer/driver you’re definitely not a traditional backpacker, but we won’t judge! In fact we actually hired a private transfer from our resort in the Dead Sea to Petra via Wadi Mujib, as the public transport options were nonexistent and hiring a car for 1 day was super pricey anyway (Ash specifically asked Dan not to tell her how much it cost, but she believes it was in the realm of 150 JD… certainly not a cheap outing).

This isn’t a method we’d normally recommend, but we certainly had a comfortable ride!

Rental Car

Driving in Jordan is surprisingly not that difficult! It has great road conditions and outside Amman there is little traffic. Driving in Amman takes a lot of concentration and patience, but is doable. To make life easier plan to pick up your rental car from the airport to avoid most of the traffic.

We found driving conditions in Jordan much better than many other countries in the region, but you still need to be aware of obstacles (hidden huge speed bumps), and other traffic, which will overtake and drive on the ‘wrong’ side of the road when they feel like it, stay alert. Avoid driving at night if at all possible, streetlights outside the main highway between Amman and Aqaba are non-existent making conditions much more challenging. Despite what everyone else is doing, follow the rules (speed limit, traffic lights etc) and you’ll be fine.

We recommend rentalcars.com to compare the best deals for your trip.

Note: one-way rental fees in Jordan are very high! Even if you are departing from a different place than you entered, consider returning your car to the same place you hired it (Amman usually has the best prices).



Jordan is a small country, travelling from Amman to Aqaba only takes 4-5 hours!

Must Visit Jordan Attractions

Jordan is full of incredible sights and activities and in our opinion the best Middle East introduction country. It’s also an awesome short holiday destination where 7 to 10 days will give you plenty of time for an amazing Jordan Itinerary!

Here are our suggestions for the best places to visit in Jordan.

Petra

A visit to Petra is one of the most incredible things to do in Jordan and often the main reason people choose to visit Jordan. Built over 9,000 years ago, Petra is a spectacularly ornate desert city spanning over 60 square kilometres. Its majestic buildings are intricately carved into the thousands of towering red sandstone mountain pillars, the most famous being the Treasury which has been featured in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, The Mummy Returns and countless other films and television shows.

>> Petra is always a highlight of any Jordan Itinerary, so be sure to make the most of it by checking out our top tips for visiting Petra!

Accommodation in Petra

Luxury Accommodation:

Petra Bubble Luxotel: stay in an incredible luxurious bubble, with airconditioning, a private terrace with hot tub and gorgeous sweeping desert views to watch sunrise and sunset

Petra Guest House Hotel: located right outside Petra’s main entrance, this is literally the closest you can get to Petra without camping inside the park. The rooms aren’t super fancy, but it has the Cave Bar, a really cool bar and restaurant set inside an actual cave on the premises

Movenpick Resort Petra: just across the road from the main entrance, the Movenpick resort has nice rooms, a luxurious Arabic-style lobby bar and a swimming pool to refresh yourself after a hot day exploring Petra

Midrange Accommodation:

La Maison Hotel: a great option less than 5 mins walk from Petra, with lovely helpful staff, delicious breakfast, good WIFI and a nice rooftop bar to enjoy your evening

Esperanza Petra: a wonderful bed and breakfast 5 mins walk from Petra, with incredible staff, super early breakfast and nice views of the surrounding area

Seven Wonders Bedouin Camp: stay in a comfortable tent in a Bedouin Camp near Little Petra and spend your evenings by the campfire listening to traditional music and enjoying tea and shisha with the locals

Budget Accommodation:

Petra Capsule Hostel: located 1.5 km (miles) from Petra, these capsules add a little privacy and fun to your dorm stay. Each capsule has a window with views of Wadi Musa and beyond, and a curtain for privacy. The staff are super helpful, there is a nice seating area in the lobby to chat with other travellers. *We really enjoyed our stay at Petra Capsule Hotel

Rafiki Hostel: also 1.5 km from Petra, this hostel is super friendly and has a cool rooftop to relax and watch the sunset

Wadi Rum

Wadi Rum is an otherworldly expanse of desert, sand dunes and staggeringly tall stone mesas. Wadi Rum is famous for the Bedouin tribes who have called the desert home for centuries, acting as the backdrop for Lawrence of Arabia’s adventures, and being such a unique landscape that it has been used as the set of other planets in movies such as Star Wars and The Martian.

This incredible part of the world simply has to be experienced to be believed. Stay for at least one night to fully appreciate the beauty of this place; take part in a jeep tour, climb some stone towers, or just find a secluded valley and soak in the tranquillity. Then come nightfall sit around a traditional bedouin campfire and see the stars like you never have before.

>> Read more about the incredible experience that is Wadi Rum

Bedouin Desert Camps in Wadi Rum

Luxury Bedouin Camps ($150+):

Wadi Rum Night Luxury Camp: experience the incredible night sky from your own private bubble!

Sun City Camp: relax with amazing views from your own dome-style ‘Martian tent’ which is specially designed for prime night sky viewing

Midrange Bedouin Camps ($50 – $150):

Captains Desert Camp: stay in a deluxe tent with a private bathroom while still enjoying a fun and authentic bedouin experience under the stars. They also have awesome rooms inside a cave, how cool is that!

Wadi Rum Dream Camp: stargaze from your own deluxe tent through the large windows! This camp offers a fun bedouin experience with some extra amenities (like WIFI!)

Budget Bedouin Camps (under $50):

Martian Camp: an incredible experience for an affordable price. The tents and bathrooms are basic but clean and well maintained, the jeep tour and camel ride we did were awesome, and the communal dinner, campfire and stargazing in the evening was so much fun! The camp is nestled in the cliff, and there are some great rock scrambling and climbing places (for the adventurous), as well as some nice nooks to sit and read or enjoy the scenery (plus awesome sunset points). *We stayed at and highly recommend Martian Camp!

Wadi Rum Quiet Village: another great budget-friendly option for basic but comfortable accommodation, desert tours and a fun communal campfire evening

Martian Camp in Wadi Rum

ATTENTION: Make sure you read the reviews of any camp you’re considering staying with, especially for solo women travellers!

The camps are incredibly isolated and you are pretty much at the mercy of your camp to pick you from and return you by (4×4) to the Visitors Centre.



We were going to stay somewhere recommended by our hostel in Petra, however when we were messaging him to organise our stay he became very aggressive and insulting when we didn’t want to book a tour package or know exactly what extra activities we might book with him (reading the other reviews for this place, it seems the same treatment was given to anyone who didn’t book a ‘full package’ where a certain number of tours, meals and accommodation were all packaged together).



We also met a girl in Petra who had a bad experience with her camp, where the owner made advances and delayed her transport back to the Visitors Centre for many hours (and she was alone). SCARY STUFF! If you can, join another traveller or group so you know you’re not alone at the camp.



We don’t want to scare or discourage anyone, Wadi Rum is a truly incredible experience, just make sure you do your research!

Amman

Amman, the capital of Jordan, is a fascinating old-meets-new city. Full of modern amenities and hipster vibes, including cool cafes and a great street art scene, combined with traditional charm, beautiful mosques and interesting bustling souks.

On top of all that, it’s home to spectacular ancient Roman ruins like the historic Citadel, the pillars of the Roman Temple of Hercules and the Roman Theater.

Accommodation in Amman

Luxury Accommodation ($100 – $250+):

Midrange Accommodation ($50 – $100):

Budget Accommodation (under $50):

Aqaba

Aqaba is a port city in the Gulf of Aqaba on the Red Sea. It’s a hugely popular beach and resort town renowned for its spectacular snorkelling and diving, but also has some interesting historical sights in the old town (it’s been inhabited since 4000 BC after all).

Aqaba has some of the best snorkelling and diving in the Red Sea, with colourful vibrant coral reefs and some amazing and unique wreck dives (including a tank!), and it’s much less crowded than nearby Eilat, in Israel, or Dahab and Sharm El Sheik, in Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula.

You can also do glass-bottom boat tours to the nearby reefs from Aqaba, with tours including snorkelling opportunities and lunch.

If you’d prefer to spend more time sunbathing or partaking in the numerous watersports offered from the beach (jet skiing or parasailing anyone?), we highly recommend you visit a private beach. Unfortunately, the public beaches are noisy, a little dirty, and much more conservative in attire (no bikinis here!). Women might feel a little uncomfortable with the attention here, even when covered up.

The best way to have access to a private beach is to stay at one of the amazing resorts in Aqaba. However, if this isn’t in your budget, there are also a few private beach clubs in Aqaba where you simply pay a daily entry fee which includes sun lounges, towel access and more. Many hotels have agreements with the larger resorts for their guests to have access to a private beach and facilities, so ma k e sure to check that when booking!

If it’s not included with your hotel, Berenice Beach Club is one of the best, and most affordable, private beaches and has a regular shuttle from downtown Aqaba. It costs only 10 JD ($14) pp/day including transport.

While in Aqaba don’t miss a visit to the old town, where you’ll find the remains of the 14th century Mamluk Castle (Aqaba fort), and a colourful and bustling souk, the perfect place to wander the stalls, buy souvenirs and enjoy the sights and sounds.

Accommodation in Aqaba

Luxury Accommodation ($100 – $250+):

Kempinski Hotel Aqaba: this 5-star resort is considered the most exclusive and luxurious in Aqaba! It has direct access to a private beach and a gorgeous pool, plus everything else you’d expect from a 5-star resort

Intercontinental Resort Aqaba: a 5-star resort with a much more affordable price tag. The Intercontinental also has a private beach, beautiful pool, and is home to one of the best Lebanese restaurants in Jordan. It has rooms starting from just $100/night!

Al Manara, A Luxury Collection Hotel: a beautiful new 5-star resort, the Al Manara boasts wonderful staff and a less busy atmosphere than some of the other resorts, but still includes all the amenities you could ask for including a private beach, infinity pool and a sauna!

Midrange Accommodation ($50 – $100):

Laverda Hotel: a clean, modern hotel near Al-Ghandour beach. Provides great affordable rooms with great views from the balcony

Red Sea Dive Centre: for those looking to scuba dive in Aqaba, you can’t look past this resort and dive centre. Located about 20 mins drive outside Aqaba (near all the great dive sites), this resort sits on a hill overlooking the sea and has clean spacious rooms and a lovely pool.

Budget Accommodation (under $50):

Mass Paradise Hotel: situated a 10-15 min walk from the main restaurants and resorts in Aqaba, the huge drawcard for this hotel is its lovely pool on the rooftop! Rooms are facilities are adequate but nothing special, but for less than $50 per night, this is a great choice if you want the convenience of a pool on the premises

Taj Hotel: also located near Al-Ghandour beach and a 5-10min walk to the Royal Yacht Club, the Taj Hotel offers spacious rooms and suites with couches and sitting areas

Dar Seitti (Grandma’s House): a wonderful friendly hostel with big clean rooms and bathrooms. They offer nice dorms and affordable private rooms

Jerash

Inhabited since the Bronze Age, the city of Jerash is said to have the best-preserved Roman ruins outside of Italy. With incredible sights like Hadrian’s Arch (2nd century), the Corinthian columns of the Temple of Artemis, and the Forum’s oval colonnade, a visit to Jerash is a must-do for any history buffs visiting Jordan.

Less than 50 km (30 miles) from Amman, Jerash is the perfect day trip from the capital. Jerash is easily reached by booking one of the many day trips, by return taxi, or on public transport.

Group Tour to Jerash: 25 JD+ ($35+)

($35+) Taxi Hire- Full Day Trip to Jerash: 40 – 50 JD ($55 – 70)

($55 – 70) Public Transport to Jerash: 6 JD ($8.50) *(2 JD return bus + 4 JD taxi to bus station return)

For some great tours check these out:

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The Dead Sea

Needing no introduction, the Dead Sea is the lowest surface point on earth (430m below sea level), and one of the saltiest bodies of water on the planet. You’ve probably seen the iconic photos of people reading books while floating above the water, and we can confirm that this is definitely true! The salinity of the water means that people automatically float; it’s an odd sensation but one that we definitely recommend!

Dead Sea mud also has dozens of therapeutic benefits on skin, so much so that it often sells for at least $30 a tub in cosmetic stores. Fortunately, it’s free and plentiful at the source, so be sure to coat yourself in a layer!

We stayed at a resort on the Dead Sea in Jordan and would highly recommend it if you have room in your budget! The resorts have private beaches for guests (that are open to day-trippers for a fee), and it is lovely floating in the Dead Sea early and late in the day when it’s much less busy.

This is also the best place to stay before visiting Wadi Mujib (see below), so you can get there early and beat the groups coming from Amman and Aqaba.

If you don’t have the time to stay at the Dead Sea, we recommend combining your day trip (or DIY organise a taxi with a group) to include a visit to Madaba and Mount Nebo (and Bethany if that’s something that interests you), as they are all in close proximity to each other (see more info below).

>> Check out these super useful tips for visiting the Dead Sea

Dead Sea Accommodation

If you can stretch your budget a little, there are some amazing resorts to stay at on the Dead Sea!

Luxury Resorts ($100+):

Mid-Range Resorts ($60-100):

Madaba, Mount Nebo & Bethany

The ancient town of Madaba is located only 30 km (18 miles) south of Amman. Notable for its 6th-century mosaic map of the Holy Land (aka the Madaba Map) which makes up part of the floor in the Church of St. George, and is the oldest surviving original map of the Holy Land and Jerusalem.

You’ll also find the beautiful mosaic covered Church of the Virgin Mary, and many historic artefacts from the Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine and Islamic periods.

Only 10 km (6 miles) from Madaba, Mount Nebo is a worthwhile addition to your visit. It has beautiful sweeping views over the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea and is said to be the place where Moses first laid eyes on the Holy Land.

Bethany Beyond the Jordan (or the Bethany Baptism Site) is situated on the eastern bank of the Jordan River, in modern-day Jordan, 9 km (5.5 miles) from the Dead Sea. It is believed to be the site where Jesus was baptised. While Bethany is a big destination for the ‘Holy Land’ package tourists we encountered, the site itself is pretty underwhelming, and we wouldn’t recommend it unless you had a spiritual connection to visiting the site.

A day trip to Madaba and Mount Nebo is easy to do from Amman, where you can join a group tour, or hire a taxi for the day (public transport is really difficult between Madaba, Mount Nebo, Bethany and the Dead Sea).

Group Tour to Madaba, Mount Nebo & the Dead Sea (+\- Bethany): $22 – $150

Taxi for Full Day: around 60 JD ($85)

Here are some great tour options:

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Keep in Mind; the cheaper tours don’t cover entrance fees or meals, and transport is in a large bus instead of a minibus like the pricier tours so it will proba b ly take longer at each site .

Wadi Mujib

Not on many Jordan travel itineraries, a backpacking trip in Jordan wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the incredible canyon at Wadi Mujib. Wadi Mujib is a series of spectacular sandstone cliffs and canyons near the coastline of the Dead Sea, carved over tens of thousands of years from when the Sea was hundreds of metres higher than it is today.

We particularly recommend hiking the Siq trail; a rushing freshwater stream which threads its way through the canyons, over waterfalls, cliffs and rapids for around 3km. The trail will see you wade against flowing water, climbing rocks and waterfalls, and on the return journey floating downstream between beautiful cliffs. It’s one of the most fun, adrenaline-filled activities we’ve done on our trip and makes for a great change of tempo from the more slower-paced attractions of Jordan such as Petra and Wadi Rum.

>> Read more (and watch some cool videos) about our experience canyoning in Wadi Mujib

The Kings Highway

Once a vitally important trade route connecting Africa with Mesopotamia, the Kings Highway today is an incredibly scenic route between Amman and Petra. The best way to experience the Kings Highway is with a rental car or taxi, so you can stop at viewpoints and attractions that interest you.

Some of the best stops along or near the Kings Highway are Umm ar-Rasas, Wadi Mujib, the ancient Karak castle, Shobak castle and Dana Nature Reserve.

There are also day tours that traverse the Kings Highway between Amman and Petra, stopping at the main tourist sites, if that’s more your style or budget. This tour is the most affordable option if you aren’t renting a car!

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5 Interesting Things We Learnt About Jordan

1. Did you know Jordan made wine?

And it’s actually not bad! It shouldn’t be that surprising if you think about, considering Jordan’s significance in Christianity. Archaeological digs in Jordan have found evidence of winemaking dating back to the Nabatean times.

Today there are 2 wineries in Jordan that produce almost 1 million bottles of wine annually (for domestic consumption). Both vineyards are located in Mafraq, 80 km (miles) north of Amman, where the cool climate, underground water supply and nutrient-rich soil provide suitable growing conditions.

While backpacking Jordan make sure to try some Saint George and Jordan River wines!

2. Jordan Has a King!

And the people LOVE him.

King Abdullah II of Jordan has been on the throne since 1999 and has implemented social and economic reforms that have maintained Jordan’s stability through the global financial crisis, the Arab Spring and an influx of over 1 million Syrian refugees fleeing conflict. He is also well known for promoting a modern understanding of Islam and interfaith dialogue.

His wife, Queen Rania Al-Abdullah, is an incredibly stylish and cool person! She is a strong advocate for social development, known for her work related to education, health, community and youth empowerment, as well as cross-cultural dialogue. She also maintains a strong, and awesome, social media presence… check out her Insta!

3. Wadi Rum Was Once Under the Sea

Wadi Rum (or “Valley of the Moon”) is a spectacular desert ecosystem sculpted hundreds of millions of years ago when the Red Sea covered the now dry sands. Today Wadi Rum sits one mile above sea level.

4. The Jordanian Dinar is Worth More than US Dollars, Euros or British Pounds

That’s right, 1 Jordanian dinar is worth $1.40, €1.27 or £1.10!

5. Jordan is the Lowest Point on Earth (the Dead Sea)

The shores of the Dead Sea lay 420 meters (1,378ft) below sea level, and are known as the lowest point on Earth.

If you want to get technical, the Dead Sea is the lowest point on Earth on dry land, the lowest point on earth under the ocean is the Mariana Trench nearly 11 km (6.8 miles) below sea level.

Either way, it’s pretty cool!

Our Verdict on Backpacking Jordan

Backing Jordan is an incredible and enriching experience that every backpacker will enjoy. Jordan truly has something for everyone with incredible ancient sites, gorgeous natural wonders, friendly and helpful locals, and delicious food!

Jordan Travel FAQ

We really hope our Ultimate Guide to Backpacking Jordan has been useful in researching and planning your amazing trip to Jordan!

While you’re here, check out some of our other posts on Jordan:

Are you also travelling to Israel or Egypt? You might find these posts interesting:

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