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Travelling to Jordan: 8 popular questions answered

Visiting Jordan for the first time? Find out everything you need to know about the local culture, the best times to visit and the benefits of joining a small group tour.

 

Should I join a small group tour to visit Jordan?

Absolutely! Our small group tours to Jordan have been carefully designed to provide you with a unique adventure that will create memories to last a lifetime. Your Explore tour leader will have plenty of local knowledge to ensure the trip runs smoothly and they will make sure you get to see all of the best sites, as well as some of the lesser-known treasures that exist beyond the usual tourist trails. They can also recommend good restaurants to try in Amman or Petra and organise extra activities if you want to try something different such as a candlelit walk to the Treasury in Petra or a camel ride through the desert. 

Travelling in a small group also allows you to get closer to the local culture in Jordan, including a stay in a traditional Bedouin tent in the desert, and enjoy the company of like-minded travellers who are also looking for fun, adventure and authentic cultural experiences. 

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Is it safe to travel to Jordan?

Yes, Jordan it is safe to travel to Jordan. You can expect a warm welcome from the local people in Jordan. Playing host and looking after guests is an essential part of Jordanian culture so locals will go out of their way to make sure you enjoy your stay. As with all our travel destinations, we recommend you check the FCDO advice before you travel. 

When is the best time to visit Jordan?

We run trips to Jordan all year round, but the weather does vary throughout the seasons. If you enjoy the heat, days are typically hot, dry and sunny from April until November. However, temperatures rise significantly during June, July and August, so be sure to pack some lightweight clothing and a sun hat for excursions into the desert.  

Temperatures can be cooler in the evening during spring and autumn, especially when camping in the desert, but this is a great time to explore Jordan on two wheels or trek along the red sands of the Wadi Rum valley on our Jordan walking adventure.

From December to February temperatures can drop to a chilly 0°C at night, but this is the best time to avoid the crowds. Get a great view of the majestic buildings, tombs and monuments of the 'rose-red city' of Petra and follow the footsteps of Moses up Mount Nebo with fewer tourists on the trails. 

Do I need a visa to visit Jordan?

All visitors require a visa when visiting Jordan. If you book your trip to Jordan with Explore, you can take advantage of our complimentary visa system, saving you about £45 per person. Simply book an arrival transfer through Explore and a local representative will meet you on arrival to assist you with the visa process. Alternatively, most nationalities can purchase a visa on arrival. Or you can buy a visa in advance from the Jordanian Embassy - however this can take longer and is more expensive. For up to date visa information, check www.travcour.com

What is the culture like in Jordan?

The culture of Jordan is shaped by the country's main religion, Islam, but with plenty of Western influence. More than 40% of the population lives in the bustling capital of Amman where you'll find ancient monuments and traditional souks, as well as modern boutiques and international restaurants. Out in the desert, you'll discover a more traditional Bedouin culture. A far cry from the fast-paced life of the city, here you can join local nomads to sleep under canvas in a goat-hair tent and dine around an open fire. 

Jordan is a Muslim country, and although its culture is not as strict as in other countries, the local dress-code is to cover shoulders and knees in public. You will see many tourists not adhering to this dress code, but we recommend that you do so out of respect to the local people and to avoid any unwanted attention.

It's also worth noting that Ramadan may occur during your trip. The dates of this holy festival vary from year to year so check with your Explore travel expert whether it will have an impact on your trip's schedule. 

Can I drink the water?

We don't recommend drinking the tap water outside of Amman. Bottled water is readily available to purchase in Jordan, but it can be expensive, especially around the tourist hot-spots such as Petra. 

So to save a bit of money and reduce your use of single-use plastic we recommend purchasing a Water-to-go bottle. This handy container will filter over 99.9% of all microbiological contaminants from the water to make it suitable to drink. Plus, as an Explore customer, you'll get 15% off with our special discount code EXPLORE15.

How much money will I need?

The cost of food and drink in Jordan is comparable to typical UK prices, but the costs will vary depending on where you are. For example, high-end boutique restaurants in the city are likely to charge more than smaller restaurants located away from the main tourist trails. 

You may also want to invest in a few extra excursions during your trip including a candlelit night walk in Petra, an Ottoman bath experience, or a snorkelling adventure on the Red Sea. It’s also prudent to ensure you have plenty of cash when heading into the desert to see Petra and Wadi Rum valley as ATMs and card machines will not be available. 

For more information about how much spending money to take on your trip to Jordan, refer to the information notes toward the bottom of the individual trip web pages. 

Which Explore Jordan trip is right for me?

To see all of Jordan’s iconic highlights, as well as some hidden gems, join our Jordan Discovery tour. Go back in time to discover the 'rose-red city’ of Petra, explore the Wadi Rum valley and float in the Dead Sea. 

For a more active Jordan adventure, take a look at our Jordan Walking Holiday and trek along old spice trails, across wild plateaus and through breathtaking canyons in the desert. Alternatively, jump in the saddle for a Jordan Cycling Tour. Pedal to Mount Nebo and freewheel to the saline waters of the Dead Sea. 

Or for an unforgettable family holiday, take the kids on a Jordan Desert Adventure to go in search of ancient lost cities, camp in the wilderness under a blanket of stars and snorkel in the aquamarine waters of the Red Sea. 

If you have more time to spare, why not combine your trip to Jordan with a discovery tour of Israel to visit the holy land of Jerusalem.

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