Important facts and information to know when visiting Jordan
One of the regions most visited and historically interesting countries, Jordan has a fascinating past just waiting to reveal itself.
Travel to Jordan is quite safe, although given its position in the Middle East sandwiched between Syria, Iraq and Israel there are safety warnings to heed. Please don’t let this put you off experiencing this most amazing country.
Visiting Jordan Important Facts
| Official Name | The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan |
| Capital | Amman |
| Currency | Jordanian Dinar (JOD) |
| Language | Arabic |
| Religion | Sunni Islam with a Christian minority |
| Leadership | Parliamentry Monarchy - King Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein |
| Important Dates | 25 May Independence Day & Islamic Holidays |
| Climate | Mediterranean through to arid desert |
| Electrics | 230v but you'll find Type C, Type D, Type F, Type G, Type J sockets! |
| Visas | Most countries visa on arrival |
| Safety | Varies by region - see detail below |
Jordan visa information
- Visit Visas come in Single, Double and Multiple-Entry format (60/90/180 JOD) and required for all members of your traveling group, including children.
- Most visitors can obtain a visa on arrival though we recommend applying for your Jordan Visa in advance to save time.
- By obtaining a Jordan Pass, visitors will have not only entry to all the best of Jordan’s historic sites but their visa included
Click here to find out more about the Jordan Pass
Point for family visitors to be aware of in Jordan
- Ladies are not required to wear a headscarf but may want to dress conservatively to avoid unwanted attention – you can find our complete guide on what to wear here.
- Fair-haired touching and attention is rife. Let your children be aware this is only out of curiosity but be prepared to step in should it become overwhelming.
- Diapers and baby food may not be readily available outside of the big cities so you are best to bring supplies with you.
- Road tripping with children is relatively straightforward. Distances are not vast, though road conditions even on the highways can be poor, so distances may take longer than you think.
- Generally, service stations are plentiful for fuel, snacks and toilet stops, but be aware they may be squat toilets and BYO paper. A small fee may also be levied.
General travel tips for visiting Jordan
- Once you’re away from the big cities, ATMs can be challenging. Although credit cards are fairly widely accepted, withdraw cash when you see a machine and take a few USD or EUR as some backup with a cash exchange.
- It is an easy country to self-drive, but you do need to have your wits about you and understand the driving rules, the official and unofficial ones! We share here our top driving tips for Jordan to help you decide if you want to plan your own Jordan road trip or join a tour.
Safety in Jordan is generally not an issue; however, due to its geographic position in the Middle East, there are advisory warnings for tourists, particularly on the country’s northern border with Syria. See current advisories from the UK Foreign Office and US State Department
See our regional guide to culture and religion for more advice – coming soon
When is it best to visit Jordan?
Jordan makes a pretty good year-round destination, but the climate does vary across the country.
In summer, you might find Aqaba, Petra and the south too hot, but Amman’s top temperatures are usually around the mid-30’s celcius.
Midwinter, it can get to freezing in Amman and the north, but pleasant days can still be experienced in Aqaba (too cold, however, for swimming in the Red Sea). Petra is still fine to visit in the winter, albeit you may catch a cold snap. All the walking should soon warm you up on most winter days. Wadi Rum may be too cold for comfort for most.
The best times to visit are spring and Autumn; from March through to May and September to November, you can capture most of the country at its best.
You can read our full guide to the best times to visit Jordan here
Most popular attractions in Jordan
Jordan is absolutely packed full of famous attractions that attract worldwide tourists. Some of the most popular and not to be missed include:
- The Dead Sea – the lowest point on earth; float on the second most salty body of water in the world
- Petra – “The Lost City” dating back to the Nabatean period
- Jerash – the ancient Roman city to the north of Amman
- Wadi Rum – the vast desert plains of the south with spectacular rock formations
- The Red Sea – Aqaba and seaside resort town of Tala Bay for sunshine, relaxation and underwater fun
- Kings Highway – a drive back through history with crusader castles
Jordan with Kids – Our Travel Stories
- A classic 5-day Jordan highlights itinerary
- How to road trip Jordan in 9 Days – Keri from our Globetrotters shares her itinerary suggestions for a full week + weekends, perfect for half-term breaks
- Mistakes to avoid swimming in the Dead Sea – Should you actually take your kids into the Dead Sea? A must-read to make your plans go smoothly
- The best Dead Sea resorts for families – we look at all the family resort options along the Dead Sea coast. Which are the best value for money and offer the most for kids?
- Best Wadi Rum Desert Camps – seven families share their Wadi Rum desert camping experiences to help you chose the best tours and accommodation
- Exploring the ancient city of Jerash and the North – don’t miss these exciting destinations as you head to the lush north
- Petra at Night – how to explore the Lost City after dark, and is it appropriate for kids?
- Siq Al Barid – Little Petra – why this smaller Nabatean period site might be perfect for your kids
Still to come – we are shortly releasing out 10 day Jordan itinerary, and a comprehensive guide to tackling the Lost City of Petra with kids
Do you want tontribute to this section?
Have you been to Jordan with or without kids? We are looking for more contributors to this category, can you help?
Pop over and see our contributors page and find out how you can get involved in building our resource library for fellow visitors to Jordan.
Further reading and resources on Jordan
Blogs & social
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Resources
Visit Jordan – Official tourism site
Jordan Guide Book
For a first-timer looking to visit Jordan, we can highly recommend you download the Step Into Jordan Guide & Itineraries.
This handy digital guide is just $19.99USD and includes:
- An interactive downloadable map
- 36 detailed pages of planning guidance
- Multiple suggested itineraries (10, 7 and 3 days)
- Tips from an expert
- Accommodation recommendations
Recommended Tours and Drivers
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Movies and literature
Kids Resources
Sorry, nothing in this category (yet!) Do you have any Jordan resources for kids to recommend?
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