Visa
Citizens of most countries can get a tourist visa on arrival at Queen Alia International Airport, Aqaba and most land borders. The standard single-entry fee is 40 JOD. Some nationalities must apply in advance, so check with the Jordanian embassy or the official e-visa portal before you travel. Your passport should be valid for at least six months.
The Jordan Pass
The Jordan Pass is an official package bought online before arrival. It waives the tourist visa fee for eligible visitors who stay at least two consecutive nights (three days) in Jordan and includes entry to over 40 sites, among them Petra, Wadi Rum, Jerash, Ajloun, Kerak, the Amman Citadel and the Desert Castles. There are three versions, depending on whether you want one, two or three consecutive days in Petra (about 70, 75 and 80 JOD). For most visitors it pays for itself with the visa and Petra alone. Not included: the Baptism Site, Mount Nebo, Petra by Night and nature-reserve entries and trails such as Dana and Wadi Mujib.
When to go
- March–May: the best season almost everywhere – green hills in the north, wild flowers, warm days.
- June–August: hot in Petra, Wadi Rum and the Jordan Valley (35–40 °C); start early. Great for Aqaba diving and the Mujib Siq Trail.
- September–November: excellent weather and clear skies; popular, so book early.
- December–February: cool and sometimes rainy in Amman and Petra, occasionally snow in the highlands; Aqaba and the Dead Sea stay mild.
Money
The Jordanian dinar (JOD) is pegged to the US dollar (1 JOD ≈ 1.41 USD). Cards are accepted in hotels and larger restaurants; carry cash for markets, small shops, Bedouin camps and tips. Cash machines are easy to find in cities.
Culture and dress
Jordan is welcoming and relaxed, but modest dress is appreciated outside resorts: shoulders and knees covered in towns, villages and religious sites. Women visiting mosques should cover their hair. During Ramadan, avoid eating and drinking in public in daylight; restaurants in hotels and tourist areas stay open.
Tipping
Tips are customary: around 10% in restaurants, a few dinars for porters, and for a full day about 10–15 JOD for a driver and 15–20 JOD for a guide, depending on your satisfaction.
Practical information
- Time zone: UTC+3 all year.
- Electricity: 230 V; plugs of type C, D, F, G and J are all common – a universal adaptor is useful.
- Mobile data: buy a local SIM or eSIM at the airport (Zain, Orange or Umniah).
- Water: drink bottled or filtered water.
- Safety: Jordan is known as one of the safest and most hospitable countries in the region. Always check your own government’s travel advice before you go.