Travel guide – jordan

jordan
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Overview

Situated between Israel, Iraq and Saudi Arabia, the Kingdom of Jordan is unexpectedly peaceful amid the turmoil of its neighbouring countries and is a wonderful place to visit, made more so by its hospitable people whose immediate reaction to travellers is 'Welcome to Jordan'. With a reputation for being one of the most friendly countries on earth, it is sad that so few people dare to explore its immense sense of history, as well as two of the most magnificent sights in the Middle East: the ancient rock-hewn city of Petra and Wadi Rum's spectacular desert scenery.

Jordan is a kingdom layered in antiquity, from the work of Nabataean stonemasons to characters such as Moses and Lawrence of Arabia; from ancient cities and Biblical sites to desert castles, Crusader forts and Byzantine mosaics. This ancient culture belies the fact that it is also a modern country, with a good infrastructure, a thriving business and arts scene, and first class hotels, restaurants and shopping opportunities. The contradictions between the old and new are astonishing.

Jordan is a relatively small country of varied landscapes, where the fertile Jordan Valley, bordering the entire western side of the kingdom, is separated from the immense desert stretching to the east by the populated highlands. As part of the Great Rift Valley, the Jordan Valley incorporates the Dead Sea, the lowest point on the earth's surface and most famous for its heavy salt and mineral concentrations, while the main towns are strung out along the length of the highland plateau, including the friendly capital, Amman, as well as plenty of historical sites from ancient civilisations.

Home to breathtaking desert-scapes, colourful coral reefs that are unequalled anywhere else in the world, and sweeping vistas towards the Promised Land, Jordan is full of charismatic beauty, both in scenery and in the genuine Arabic welcome afforded to strangers. Welcome to Jordan…

Regions and cities within Jordan...

Amman
Aqaba
Petra

Climate

July and August are the hottest and driest months of the year, especially in Amman and the Jordan Valley, and in the desert areas, with temperatures over 97°F (36°C). Spring and autumn are the most pleasant times to visit with clear, sunny days and moderate temperatures. The winter months from November to April can be very cold, particularly in Amman, with snow, rain and wind, but there is little rainfall in the desert regions and in Aqaba, which makes a pleasant wintertime resort. About 75 percent of the country can be described as having a desert climate with very little annual rainfall.

Health

Inoculations are not required unless travelling from an area infected with yellow fever or cholera, in which case a certificate will be requested on arrival. Although not necessary, it is recommended that vaccinations for typhoid, polio and tetanus be had before travel to Jordan. It is advisable to drink bottled water, which is cheap and widely available, although better hotels have their own water filtering systems. Medical services are good throughout the country with clinics, hospitals and medical centres in every city or village, and many doctors in the larger towns or cities speak English. Most hospitals are privately owned. Travellers should carry their own prescription medicines and medical insurance is recommended.

The basics

Time

Local time is GMT +2 (GMT +3 from April to October).

Electricity

Electrical current is 220 volts AC, 50Hz. European two-pin plugs are the most common.

Language

Arabic is the official language, but English is understood by most people involved in the tourist industry and by middle to upper class Jordanians.

Tipping

Most of the better hotels and restaurants will add a 10% service charge to the bill, but smaller establishments usually expect a tip. It is customary to round up the price of a taxi trip instead of tipping.

Safety

There is a high risk of terrorist attacks throughout the Middle East including Jordan and foreigners should maintain a high level of vigilance particularly in public places frequented by tourists and at tourist sites. US citizens in particular are advised to keep a low profile if travel to Jordan is necessary. On 9 November 2005 bombs exploded in three hotels in Amman - the Grand Hyatt, Radisson SAS and Days Inn - killing 67 people and injuring over 100. Al-Qaeda in Iraq has claimed the attack saying the hotels were targeted because they were widely used by Americans, Israelis and Westerners on business. The situation in Iraq has had an impact on local opinion, as well as the violence between the neighbouring Israelis and Palestinians, and foreigners should avoid all public demonstrations and political gatherings. Care should be taken at the borders with Israel and Iraq. Crime is not a serious risk for travellers although on buses and in crowded places visitors could be the target of pickpockets or petty thieves.

Customs

The consumption of alcohol is strictly forbidden in the streets. It is advisable to respect local Muslim conservatism regarding dress and women in particular will be better respected if their legs and shoulders are covered in public places. It is advisable to ask permission before photographing people. Bargaining is expected with merchants especially in the markets. Religious customs should be respected, particularly during the month of Ramadan when eating, drinking and smoking during daylight hours should be discreet as it is forbidden by the Muslim culture. Homosexuality is illegal.

Communications

The international dialling code for Jordan is +962. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0027 for South Africa). Jordan has international direct dialling with most countries. Mobile phone companies have roaming agreements with most international mobile phone operators. There are Internet cafes in Amman and most major towns.

Duty Free

Travellers to Jordan over 18 years do not have to pay duty on 200 cigarettes or 25 cigars, or 200 grams of pipe tobacco; 1 litre of alcoholic beverages; 1 or 2 bottles of perfume and eau-de-Cologne or lotion for personal use; and gifts to the value of JD50 or US$150. Restricted items include firearms, sporting guns and other weapons without prior approval from authorities of country of origin and destination country. Prohibited items include all narcotics.

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