Is your departure for Jordan getting close? Good for you! Now it is time to prepare and pack. This guide below will help you get ready for the money, the language, the weather and the food as well as pack the right clothes an camera gear. Get ready and enjoy your trip!
Navigate back to the complete Jordan Travel Guide
GET YOUR PLAN TOGETHER
First thing first, you need to decide where you want to go and what you want to see and how you want to get there. Check out my post about planning your trip to Jordan.
Highlights include the roman ruins Jerash, the Wadi Rum desert and the magnificent site of Petra.
LANGUAGE
Most people in Jordan, especially in the tourism industry, speak english. So do not worry.
However being able to say a few words or sentences in arabic will be very appreciated. Although sometimes they think you speak their language. It happened to me. I was sitting in the little shade I found in Petra and a men approached me. I greeted in Arabic (not just hello but a proper good morning) and he then started talking to me arabic. Very funny moment!
Here are some useful words and sentences in english and their pronunciation in Arabic:
- Yes
- No
- Peace be onto you
- Answer to above
- Welcome
- Please
- Thank you (very much)
- Na'am
- La
- As-salamu’alakum
- Wa’alaykum as-salam
- Marhaban
- Raja'an
- Shokran (jazeelan)
- Good morning
- Good Evening
- Good bye
- Excuse me (to ask for)
- Excuse me (to pass by)
- I am sorry
- Water
- Sabah el kheer
- Masaa el kheer
- Ma’a salama / ill al-Liqa
- Min fadlik
- Alma'derah!
- A’tadhir
- Ma
CLOTHES - WHAT TO PACK
In Jordan, 2 elements to consider when you pick what to wear in Jordan:
- This is a Muslim country so you should be respectful and over shoulders and knee. No need to cover your hair though. Because of the quantity of tourist in Petra, you will see that visitors dress very lightly and it is tolerated.
- It gets very hot: long sleeve, trousers and hat are great to protect yourself from the sun
Recommended clothes:
- Hiking pants
- Comfortable shoes for the hiking and the walk in the ruins
- Hat / something to protect your head
- Sun glasses
- Tops covering the shoulders and some long sleeve T-shirt (white is great against the sun)
- Swim wear
I saw 2 young women going for a hike in the Dana reserve with very short shorts and bikini top. I found it quite offensive. I do believe you should adapt to the customs of the country you are visiting. And they soon regretted it : sunburns and nasty cut from plants on the legs.
Go Get ready with my detailed travel packing lists.
And don't forget to purchase Travel Insurance!
I wish you a very smooth trip, but my policy is: better be prepared.
I personally use World Nomads. Get a quote online here.
PHOTOGRAPHY EQUIPMENT
Nothing in particular except your normal gear. Just a few ideas:
- Protection for your camera would be useful because of the sand in the Wadi Rum Desert
- Wide angle for Petra. For the Treasury it is not so easy to get the whole building in one photograph
Check out some of my best photos from Jordan.
MONEY: currency, tipping
The currency is the Jordanian Dinar (JOD). It is easy to exchange cash or withdraw money at an ATM.
Tipping in Jordan:
- Restaurant: some restaurant automatically add a 10% service charge but small tips for waiters are appropriate
- Taxi: rounding the bill is customary
- Hotel: Porters should be tipped 1or 2 JOD. Others employees providing good service too.
FOOD & BEVERAGES: what to expect
Water
it is not recommended to drink the tap water. Bottle water can be found everywhere. In Petra I recommend buying some outside as it will be quite expensive once inside and with the heat you will want to drink
Food in the touristic hotels
most hotels offer buffet in the evening. They are quite repetite but good in general
Typical food
Jordanian food is influenced by Lebanon and Palestine. Hummus and mezze (small sala and dips) were available at every meal. Jordanian food is easy for vegetarians.
I thought that the Jordanian cuisine was quite good
Typical beverages
Beverage are arabic coffee, tea with half the cup of sugar, wine and Araq (anis taste liquor)
WEATHER IN JORDAN
Weather is pretty hot most of the year. There is occasional icing and snowing in Winter in Amman and Petra. But from Spring to Autumn temperatures are quite high. More info on Weather online
You have to be ready for those long walks in ruins where there a re no shades. Juice and salty crisps are great to treat dehydration.
OTHER USEFUL INFO TO KNOW
- Wifi: Hotels had good wifi. However note that some forums will not grant you access as your location may be considered as coming from a spammer even if you are connecting with your own ID and password.
- Visa: Purchase your visa upon arrival.
- Safety: I walked downtown Amman by myself even at night. I felt safe. I thing the place where I felt the less comfortable was Petra because they get used to tourists. But as everywhere else use caution and listen to your instincts.
Want to see MORE of JORDAN?
Discover more things to do with planning information and photos in my online Jordan Travel Guide.
Don’t hesitate to share more advice or ask questions in the comments below
Enjoy your trip!
Hello…
I m planning to come Jordan 4 days trip with my family (2 adult and 2 kids ) plz tell me your price and planning to my visit…
Hi Manisha
I am sorry but I am not a travel agent, I do not book trip.
I just share the information I collect during my travels.
Contact local travel agencies in your home country or look for “Travel Agent Jordan” online.
I wish you a wonderful trip
First, great info!! Thanks! I have been to Nicaragua and when we went we took pennies and things like pencils to give the kids. I know Nicaragua is a 3rd world country, but is there something that we have in the US that kids, moms or the poorer people desire that I can bring?
Thanks Monica
When I visited there were no kids hanging around touristic sites.
I wish you wonderful travels!
Hi,
I am a 76 yr old active lady and going to Petra in 4 weeks.
I am not going to attempt any climbs or lots of stairs as do not want to a tempt fate!
My query is— Do you think a walking pole would be handy amongst the stones and rough ground plus all the people? I don’t use anything normally,but this is a long day and a lot of walking on uneven ground. Thinking about this, perhaps the stall holders sell these and then probably recycle them!!!! Just thinking about carrying an expanding one in suitcase on 6 week trip.
Thank you,
I often travel with one expanding walking pole. I find them really useful.
And if you have a backpack and find it not useful once inside you can fold it and pack it inside, and only use it if you feel tired at the end.
I can also be useful if visiting other ancient ruins or even Amman which is really not flat!
Have a great trip!