Jordan: Overview
The ancient Kingdom of Jordan, home of the amazing city of Petra, is one of Middle East wonders. This country limits with Syria to the north, with Iraq to the northwest, with Israel and the West Bank to the west, with Saudi Arabia to the southeast, and with the Red Sea to the Southwest. As some of its neighbors, Jordan offers to its visitors the indelible prints of Middle East’s glorious past and a varied landscape which combines the fertility of the Great Rift Valley with the dryness of the desert.
When to go
The Jordanian climate is mostly desert, with few rains during the year. The best moments to visit Jordan are autumn and spring, when you can enjoy sunny days and a temperate climate while avoiding the suffocating summer heats and the cold winter winds. July and August are the hottest months, during this time temperatures can rise over 97 ºF, especially in the Great Rift Valley and Amman. In the winter (November-April) temperatures descend a lot, especially in the capital, where it snows, rains and the wind is worse. Although in most of the country winters are raw, the gulf of Aqaba area enjoys a pleasant climate, even during the cold months.
Important Information
Entry requirements for Jordan are a passport valid for six months from the first day of the stay and a visa which can be acquired at the airport on arrival or in any Jordan consulate. The cost of the visa varies according to the visitor's nationality and has a 2 week validity; it can also be extended up to 3 months. Whenever you travel to the Israeli border you must have your passport, since the place is full with military controls.
The official currency is the Jordanian dinar (JOD) which can be changed in banks and official exchanging offices (with better rates). The main international credit (American Express, Visa, MasterCard and Diners Club) are broadly received, but some foreign cards’ use is more limited. There are also many ATMs which operate with the mentioned cards.
The most important restaurants and hotels add a 10-12% for the service to their bills, but in the small establishments is a custom to add a tip. Taxi fares are usually rounded up.
If you are coming from a yellow fever or cholera infected area you must produce a vaccination certificate. Beside that, there are no other health requirements to visit the country, but it is recommended to get vaccines against hepatitis A and B, typhus, polio and tetanus. It is also advisable to drink only bottled water which is not expensive and can be easily found. Dishes containing poultry or eggs must be well cooked and eaten hot, since there have been some cases of bird flu. Medical facilities are plentiful in the country, most of them are private and have a good care level. It is recommended that travelers take their personal medicines and hire a medical insurance for the trip.
Due to the possibility of more terrorist attacks to the Middle East visitors should stay watchful and take some safety measures, especially in tourist places. It is recommended that American tourists keep a low profile during their trip to Jordan. Visitors must be extra careful in the frontiers with Israel and Iraq, stay away from public demonstrations and be aware of pickpockets in crowded places and public transportations.
There are some social customs which must be respected during the visit to the country. Consuming alcohol in the streets is strictly forbidden. The women should be discreet in their clothing and cover their legs in public places. Homosexuality is illegal. Before taking pictures to people you must ask for their permission. Bedouins are very hospital people and it is a custom to show gratitude for a meal or a cup of tea with a small gift. During the Ramadan month, the Muslim fast, you must not eat or drink during sunlight in public spaces. Bargaining is a very extended habit and, also, the way people do business in the markets.
Where to go
There are not many attractions in Amman, the capital of the country. However this city is at least 5000 year-old, so it is full of Roman ruins worthwhile of visiting. Some of these ruins are the Roman theater dating from the II nd. century BC, the Odeon, the nymphaeum, main fountain of the city, and the Roman citadel. You can also visit several museums, as the Archaeology National, the Folk and the Jewels and traditional gowns.
The city of Petra, dug in rosy rock and declared World Heritage Site, is one of the places you must visit on a trip to Jordan. To get in touch with its atmosphere it is recommended to spend a couple of days there. Among the 800 monuments of the city the most important ones are Khazneh (treasure), the monastery, the amphitheater and the Temple of the Winged Lions.
The biblical town of Madaba is famous for its Byzantine mosaics, among which the Map of Madaba, in the Greek church of Saint George, stands out. At the moment the town is a great outdoors archaeological park where you can visit many monuments, churches and temples.
Jerash is a beautiful Roman city located 50 km of the capital. In this old city which has not been completely dug, you can see the arch of Victory, the temples of Zeus and Artemisa, the Forum and the Theater of the South or walk along the street of columns. It is good to keep in mind that this city is a one day-trip from Amman, since it does not have any hotel for spending the night.
Festivals
Most of Jordanian celebrations are Islamic and the main one is the Ramadan, the fasting month which ends with the Eid al-Fitr feast. Another celebration is the Eid al-Adah in February which marks time from the pilgrimage to Meca.
