Jordan

Situated between Israel, Iraq and Saudi Arabia, the Kingdom of Jordan is unexpectedly peaceful amid the turmoil of its neighboring countries and is a wonderful place to visit, made more so by its hospitable people whose immediate reaction to travelers is 'welcome to Jordan'. With a reputation for being one of the most friendly countries on earth, it is sad that so few people dare to explore its immense sense of history, as well as two of the most magnificent sights in the Middle East: the ancient rock-hewn city of Petra and Wadi Rum's spectacular desert scenery.

Jordan is a kingdom layered in antiquity, from the work of Nabataean stonemasons to characters such as Moses and Lawrence of Arabia; from ancient cities and Biblical sites to desert castles, Crusader forts and Byzantine mosaics. This ancient culture belies the fact that it is also a modern country, with a good infrastructure, a thriving business and arts scene, and first class hotels, restaurants and shopping opportunities. The contradictions between the old and new are astonishing.

Jordan is a relatively small country of varied landscapes, where the fertile Jordan Valley, bordering the entire western side of the kingdom, is separated from the immense desert stretching to the east by the populated highlands. As part of the Great Rift Valley, the Jordan Valley incorporates the Dead Sea, the lowest point on the earth's surface and most famous for its heavy salt and mineral concentrations, while the main towns are strung out along the length of the highland plateau, including the friendly capital, Amman, as well as plenty of historical sites from ancient civilizations.

Home to breathtaking deserts, colorful coral reefs that are unequalled anywhere else in the world, and sweeping vistas towards the Promised Land, Jordan is full of charismatic beauty, both in scenery and in the genuine Arabic welcome afforded to strangers. Welcome to Jordan&

Basics

Time: Local time is GMT +2 (GMT +3 from April to October).
Electricity: Electrical current is 220 volts AC, 50Hz. European two-pin plugs are the most common.
Money: The official currency is the Dinar (JOD), which is divided into 100 piastres or 1,000 fils. Foreign currency and travelers cheques can be changed at any bank or moneychanger, although the latter will usually give a better rate of exchange. Banks are closed on Fridays. Better hotels will also exchange money. American Express, Visa, MasterCard and Diners Club are the most widely accepted credit cards and can be used at major hotels, restaurants and tourist shops; cash can be withdrawn from inside banks. ATMs are available, though acceptance of foreign cards is limited.

 

Note: This is not updated daily and should be used as a guide only.

Language: Arabic is the official language, but English is understood by most people involved in the tourist industry and by middle to upper class Jordanians.
Entry Requirements for Americans: United States citizens require a passport and visa.
Passport/Visa Note: All visitors require a passport valid for at least six months after date of arrival in the country. All nationalities require a visa, which can be obtained prior to arrival, or they can be issued at the airport if arriving by air and are valid for one month; extensions are possible for up to three months at any police station. All documents and tickets for onward travel are also required.
Health: Inoculations are not required unless traveling from an area infected with yellow fever or cholera, in which case a certificate will be requested on arrival. Although not necessary, it is recommended that vaccinations for typhoid, polio and tetanus be had before travel to Jordan. It is advisable to drink bottled water, which is cheap and widely available, although better hotels have their own water filtering systems. An outbreak of bird flu was detected in poultry in the north of the country, but the risk to travelers is low. However, close contact with live birds should be avoided and all poultry and egg dishes should be well cooked as a precaution. Medical services are good throughout the country with clinics, hospitals and medical centers in every city or village, and many doctors in the larger towns or cities speak English. Most hospitals are privately owned. Travelers should carry their own prescription medicines and medical insurance is recommended.
Tipping: Most of the better hotels and restaurants will add a 10-12% service charge to the bill, but smaller establishments usually expect a tip. It is customary to round up the price of a taxi trip instead of tipping.
Safety: There is a high risk of terrorist attacks throughout the Middle East including Jordan and foreigners should maintain a high level of vigilance particularly in public places frequented by tourists and at tourist sites. US citizens in particular are advised to keep a low profile if travel to Jordan is necessary. A gunman opened fire on a group of tourists in Amman on 4 September 2006, killing one and injuring five others. On 9 November 2005 bombs exploded in three hotels in Amman - the Grand Hyatt, Radisson SAS and Days Inn - killing 67 people and injuring over 100. Al-Qaeda in Iraq has claimed the attack saying the hotels were targeted because they were widely used by Americans, Israelis and Westerners on business. The situation in Iraq has had an impact on local opinion, as well as the violence between the neighboring Israelis and Palestinians, and foreigners should avoid all public demonstrations and political gatherings. Care should be taken at the borders with Israel and Iraq. Crime is not a serious risk for travelers although on buses and in crowded places visitors could be the target of pickpockets or petty thieves.
Customs: The consumption of alcohol is strictly forbidden in the streets. It is advisable to respect local Muslim conservatism regarding dress and women in particular will be better respected if their legs and shoulders are covered in public places. It is advisable to ask permission before photographing people. Bargaining is expected with merchants especially in the markets. Religious customs should be respected, particularly during the month of Ramadan when eating, drinking and smoking during daylight hours should be discreet as it is forbidden by the Muslim culture. Homosexuality is illegal.
Business: Business in Jordan is conducted with an emphasis on modest, formal attire. Women, in particular, should be sure to dress conservatively. As with most Arab countries, business is very male-dominated and therefore women should clarify their role early in meetings. Meetings often start very late, but it is always advised to be punctual nonetheless. Most business is conducted in English, although using a few words of Arabic (particularly for titles) will be appreciated. Business cards are often exchanged. It is common to be invited for meals by one's host, who will usually pay the bill, although it is appreciated if the guest pays for the final meal or gives a small gift. Business hours are usually 9.30am to 1.30pm and 3.30pm to 6pm Sunday to Thursday.
Communications: The international dialing code for Jordan is +962. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0027 for South Africa). Jordan has international direct dialing with most countries. City/area codes are in use, e.g. (0)3 for both Aqaba and Petra. Mobile phone companies have roaming agreements with most international mobile phone operators. There are Internet cafes in Amman and most major towns.
Duty Free: Travelers to Jordan over 18 years do not have to pay duty on 200 cigarettes or 25 cigars, or 200 grams of pipe tobacco; 1 liter of alcohol, 1 or 2 bottles of perfume and eau-de-Cologne or lotion for personal use; and gifts to the value of JD50 or US$150. Restricted items include firearms, sporting guns and other weapons without prior approval from authorities of country of origin and destination country. Prohibited items include all narcotics and birds or bird products.
 

Amman

Originally spread over seven hills, or jabals, the capital of the Hashemite kingdom now sprawls over 19 hills and is home to well over a million people, almost half of Jordan's population. Known as the White City, the hills are covered in a jumble of light-colored stone houses, consistently box-like in shape with flat roofs characteristic of a typical desert city. Faded minarets, pavement markets, Arabian sweet shops and the crumbling remains of ancient civilizations contrast wonderfully with the contemporary edifices, fashionable boutiques and international restaurants. This blend of the old and the new combines in the noisy and chaotic downtown area where the city's extraordinarily friendly residents go about their business. At the heart of downtown is the Ottoman-style King Hussein Mosque, around which the buzz and bustle is at its most interesting. Even busier at prayer times, the surrounding streets are filled with the essence of Arabia, exotic smells and rows of glittering treasures in the souq (market) amid the noise of frenetic haggling. Just as overwhelming is Amman's sense of history, dating back 5,500 years to its position as the ancient capital of the Ammonites, Rabbath-Ammon of the Old Testament, and later as Philadelphia, the Roman city that became part of the Decapolis. Overlooking the city from atop Jabal al-Qala'a is the Citadel, the site of the ancient Rabbath-Ammon, and at its foot lies the impressive Roman amphitheatre that is the most remarkable remnant of ancient Philadelphia. Amman is one of the oldest, continuously inhabited cities in the world, and today functions as a thriving commercial and administrative centre with modern facilities, historical attractions and a longstanding tradition of hospitality. It is an excellent base from which to explore the surrounds, even the rest of the country, being no more than five hours drive from anywhere, and is surprisingly agreeable for a capital city.

 

Amman Dead Sea Ultra Marathon One of the most grueling races on earth takes the brave from Amman, some 900 metres above sea level, to the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth. The shade-less tarmac provides the surface and only the fittest dare attempt it due to the scorching climate. The race is on behalf of the Society for the Care of Neurological Patients headed by HRH Prince Firas Bin Raad, in aid of increasing awareness of neurological diseases and traumas. Venue: Amman to the Dead Sea. Date: 13 April 2007.

Roman Theatre Below the Citadel is the magnificent Roman amphitheatre, an impressive relic from ancient Philadelphia that is cut into the hill and can seat up to 6,000 people. The theatre is still used occasionally for events today. Two cultural museums form part of the complex: the Jordan Folklore Museum, which has exhibits on traditional life, and the Museum of Popular Traditions with traditional costumes and mosaics from 4th to 6th century Jordan churches. Address: Quraysh Street, Downtown. Opening Time: Jordan Folklore Museum: daily 9am to 5pm; Fridays 10am to 4pm. Museum of Popular Traditions: 9am to 5pm; closed Tuesdays.

Dead Sea Situated about 28 miles (45km) from Amman, lies the famous geographic attraction known as the Dead Sea, which is the lowest point on earth at 1,335ft (407m) below sea level. Devoid of plant or animal life due the high salt concentration (four times saltier than normal sea water), it is the incredible mineral rich water that has made it an internationally sought-after destination since ancient times, popular for its curative properties as well as for the experience of floating effortlessly on its surface. Most holidaymakers go to the main resort area on the northern shore at Suweimeh, where the Dead Sea Resthouse provides showers, a restaurant, a beach and the opportunity to smother oneself in the mineral-rich black mud. Accommodation is available at the Dead Sea Spa Hotel where various medical treatments are also on offer. Transport: Buses leave from Muhajrin station to the Dead Sea Resthouse at Suweimeh. Admission: Swimming anywhere in the Dead Sea is free, but a fee of JD2 allows entry to the Dead Sea Resthouse where it is possible to swim as well as make use of their facilities, including showers.

Petra

Carved into the rock and protected by rugged mountains on all sides is Jordan's most famous attraction, the ancient rose-red city of Petra, one of the world's most spectacular ruins set within a deep canyon near the town of Wadi Musa. Wadi Musa, or the Valley of Moses, was once the name of the whole valley and not just the small tourist town sprawled along the sides of the valley leading down to Petra. The town's existence is primarily to service the tourist industry as the gateway to Petra. More than 2,000 years ago, a nomadic tribe from Arabia settled in the area and these Nabateans established Petra as their capital. It became a powerful fortress city that controlled the passage of traders, and grew prosperous from the caravans crossing their land carrying spices and riches from India and Arabia. From this wealth was created an astonishing city of monumental tombs, temples and decorative buildings carved from the solid rock, which still stands as a testament to the remarkable creativity and engineering prowess of the Nabateans. Today's Petra is a staggering landscape of rock-hewn monuments, amphitheatres, palaces, arched gateways, water channels and detailed carvings spread over a vast area. Dramatic tombs and temples unfold with each step taken further into the winding canyon, and intricate facades cut into the soaring cliff faces dwarf the ubiquitous camel drivers, traders and tourists to insignificance. Where the uppermost layers of the rock have eroded away, fantastic surreal streaks of blue, red, yellow, purple and white cover the monuments in undulating patterns. To enter the city, visitors must first pass through a long, narrow chasm in the rock, the Siq, that winds its way for almost a mile (1.5km) with steep inclining sides that come close to meeting 656ft (200m) above. Suddenly the Siq opens out onto the canyon floor, dramatically revealing Petra's most famous monument: the Treasury, or Al-Khazneh, is intricately carved into the solid rock of the pink mountain face and stands 140ft (43m) high. The towering façade was used in the final moments of the film Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. Petra's second most fabulous structure is the Monastery (El-Deir) situated among spectacular desert scenery high up on the mountain, and while it is bigger than the Treasury, it was never finished and is less ornate. A number of places require a bit of effort to reach, but climbing will be rewarded with enchanting views of the desert setting, an overwhelming sense of the size of the site and panoramic lookouts over the rose city of Petra, a certain highlight of any trip to Jordan.

 

Airports

Queen Alia International Airport (AMM)

Location: The airport is situated 20 miles (32km) south of Amman. Time: Local time is GMT +2 (GMT +3 from April to October). Contacts: Tel: +962 (0)6 445 3013. Transfer to the city: Yellow metered taxis are inexpensive and readily available. There is also a public bus service. Car rental: Car rental is available and includes major companies such as Avis and Hertz. Facilities: Facilities include a bank and bureau de change, duty-free shopping, wireless Internet access, bars and restaurants. A tourist help desk is also available. Facilities for the disabled are good. Departure tax: None.

 

Climate

July and August are the hottest and driest months of the year, especially in Amman and the Jordan Valley, and in the desert areas, with temperatures over 97°F (36°C). Spring and autumn are the most pleasant times to visit with clear, sunny days and moderate temperatures. The winter months from November to April can be very cold, particularly in Amman, with snow, rain and wind, but there is little rainfall in the desert regions and in Aqaba, which makes a pleasant wintertime resort. About 75 percent of the country can be described as having a desert climate with very little annual rainfall.