About Jordan
General Information
The full name of the country is the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.
Capital: Amman.
Area: 91,971 square kilometers.
Population: 11.5 million people.
The highest point in the country is Mount Um ad-Dami in Wadi Rum (1854 meters).
The lowest point is the Dead Sea (- 427 meters).
Form of government: Constitutional monarchy.
The head of state is the King. Currently, His Majesty Abdullah II, who has been ruling the country since 1999.
Visa
Tourists can obtain a visa upon arrival in Jordan (provided that the passport is valid for at least 6 months). The visa fee is 40 Jordanian Dinars (≈$60). Exceptions apply to citizens of certain countries.
Tourists who purchase a tour from us (a Jordanian tour operator) for a duration of at least 3 nights, we can arrange a free visa to Jordan. Ask us for details when purchasing the tour.
Tourists can also obtain a free visa to Jordan by purchasing an online unified tourist ticket for visiting Jordan’s attractions “Jordan pass” provided that they stay in Jordan for at least 3 nights. Details of purchasing the unified ticket and the attractions included in its price can be found on the website: www.jordanpass.jo
Also, those entering the country through the special economic zone in Aqaba can obtain a free visa. With a tourist visa, you can stay in Jordan for up to a month. The departure tax from the country is 10 Jordanian Dinars per person, this tax is only paid when leaving the country by land borders, no tax is levied at airports.
Climate and Weather
Jordan has a sharply continental, dry climate, which makes the country attractive for tourists almost year-round.
The average temperature in Jordan:
| Month | Amman | Petra | Aqaba (Air) | Aqaba (Water) | Dead Sea (Air) | Dead Sea (Water) |
| January | 13 | 14 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 21 |
| February | 14 | 14 | 23 | 21 | 22 | 20 |
| March | 17 | 15 | 26 | 21 | 26 | 22 |
| April | 23 | 22 | 31 | 22 | 31 | 23 |
| May | 28 | 26 | 35 | 24 | 35 | 26 |
| June | 31 | 28 | 38 | 25 | 39 | 29 |
| July | 32 | 30 | 39 | 26 | 40 | 30 |
| August | 32 | 30 | 39 | 26 | 40 | 32 |
| September | 31 | 28 | 36 | 25 | 37 | 30 |
| October | 27 | 24 | 33 | 25 | 33 | 26 |
| November | 21 | 18 | 27 | 24 | 28 | 22 |
| December | 17 | 14 | 24 | 21 | 24 | 22 |
National Currency and Its Exchange
The national currency is the Jordanian Dinar.
The commonly used abbreviation for its name is JD.
The country issues banknotes in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 20, and 50 JD, as well as 1/4 and 1/2 dinar. One dinar equals 100 piastres or 1000 fils.
Payments for goods and services are usually made in dinars.
Money can be exchanged at the airport, hotels, banks, and specialized exchange offices (Exchanges, distinguished by bright yellow signs), which are plentiful on the streets of Amman, Aqaba, and Petra.
Credit cards are accepted everywhere except small shops.
Communication
In Jordan, there are two main large mobile and internet operators -“Zain” and “Orange”.
You can purchase a SIM card with internet upon arrival, at the airport, or at the operators’ network stores.
The cost starts from $20, and a passport is required for purchase.
Jordan’s international code is +962.
Clothing
Tourists’ clothing should be modest, especially for women, and not provocative.
For most excursions, lightweight and comfortable everyday clothing, as well as sturdy footwear, are recommended.
During the summer, short skirts and exposed arms may attract undue attention.
Overly revealing and form-fitting dresses are not welcomed, even for foreigners, especially in the old city “Down Town,” which is the historic center of Amman, as well as in rural areas of Jordan, where tourists are better off appearing in conservative clothing styles.
In hotels and seaside resorts, women are prohibited from sunbathing topless.
Alcohol and Smoking
Jordan produces several high-quality brands of wine and beer, and a lot of imported alcohol is also available. Alcoholic beverages are sold in most urban restaurants and bars year-round, as well as in all five-star hotels, except during the month of Ramadan. Alcoholic beverages are also available in specialty shops.
In the city of Aqaba, which is a free economic zone, alcohol is cheaper.
Jordan is characterized by a liberal attitude towards smokers. Smoking is not prohibited in many cafes and restaurants. Most smoking tourists will not hesitate to try shisha (local name for hookah), the smoking of which is widespread. Local tobacco is known for its mildness and abundance of flavors.
Other
During your travels in Jordan, we do not recommend taking photos of local residents, especially women, without their consent.
Before photographing anyone, it is necessary to ask for permission from the subject. Also, to avoid problems, it is not allowed to photograph military and government facilities and embassy buildings.
Women are not recommended to sit in the front seat of the car, as this is considered improper. In Jordan, tipping is highly appreciated and will always be received with great gratitude: to the driver, guide, and service staff.
