Sightseeing The city of Petra, the Roman city of Jerash, mountain and desert landscapes, castle ruins, Roman theatres, churches, mosques and the Dead Sea.
Accommodation
City hotels, resort spas and valley hotels.
Family activities
Hashemite Square, Luna Park and Haya Cultural Centre in Amman, the aquarium and the beaches in Aqaba. Children’s entertainment and activities at the Dead Sea resort spas.
Shopping
What you can buy – Bedouin rugs and tapestries, embroidery, brass and copper goods, ceramics, handmade glass, inlaid boxes, coloured sand bottles, silver Bedouin jewellery and natural Dead Sea beauty products.
Where you can buy – Souks, shopping malls and tourist bazaars.
Entertainment
Oriental coffee shops, local and international restaurants, Kan Zayman restaurant and tourism village, hotel bars and discothèques.
Sports and leisure
Horse and camel riding at Petra; spas, health treatments and swimming at the Dead Sea.
Exploring by road
Jordan offers a good network of roads. Car hire is available.
Jerash Music Festival (July – August); Petra Exhibition (September – January).
Visas:
Visas are not required for nationals of the following countries for a stay of up to one month: Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Sultanate of Oman, Syria, United Arab Emirates and Yemen.
Nationals of Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand and Western Europe can obtain visas on arrival at the airport in Jordan. There are no forms to be filled and the cost of the visa is JD10 per person (equivalent to USD15).
Nationals of all other countries require a visa.
Health requirements:
Yellow fever and cholera immunisation certificates are required for persons who have travelled or transited from infected areas. No other compulsory vaccinations are required.
Travel insurance:
Adequate holiday and travel insurance is vital. Emirates Holidays offers a comprehensive insurance package to enable you and your family to travel with peace of mind. Please contact your nearest Emirates Holidays office or your travel agent for details of our HolidayGuard Travel Insurance cover.
Currency:
Jordanian Dinar (JD) divided into 100 qirsh.
Notes in denominations of JD50, 20, 10, 5, 1 and 0.5.
Coins in denominations of JD1, 0.5, 0.25 and 10 and 5 qirsh.
Approximate exchange rate:
AED1 = JD0.192
EUR1 = JD0.903
USD1 = JD0.708
Please check the rate of exchange prior to travel.
Banking hours - 0830 to 1500 hours, Sunday - Thursday.
Some banks are also open in the afternoon from 1530 to 1730 hours except on Thursdays, when they close at 1500 hours.
Export of local currency is limited to JD300, while foreign currency should not exceed the amount declared on arrival. Currency can be exchanged at major banks and at most hotels. Street money changers are best avoided. Exchange rates are set daily by the Jordanian Central Bank.
Major credit cards, like American Express, MasterCard and Visa are accepted in most hotels and restaurants. Some shops and restaurants also accept Diners Club International and Discovery cards, amongst others.
Local currency can be withdrawn using major credit cards from the numerous automated teller machines (ATMs) in the city, as well as at Amman’s Queen Alia International Airport. Travellers cheques are widely accepted at shops and restaurants and can be converted in banks, at a nominal charge. Currency exchange fees vary from one bank to another.
Clothing:
It is advisable to dress in lightweight clothing during summer and in warmer clothes during winter. Temperatures at night are generally low throughout the year, therefore we recommend a sweater or shawl, except along the Dead Sea, where it is normally around 10ºC warmer than Amman because of its low altitude.
Airport information:
Queen Alia International Airport is 32 kilometres from the city centre. The airport telephone number is 06 445 1132. The Emirates telephone number at Queen Alia International Airport is 06 445 1841/2.
Customs:
The following goods are prohibited/restricted:
• Firearms and explosives
• Narcotic drugs, poisons, industrial and hazardous chemicals
• Pornography of any kind
Duty free allowance for non-residents: 200 cigarettes or 25 cigars or 200 grams of tobacco, one litre of wine or spirits and reasonable quantity of perfume for personal use.
Duty free allowance for residents: Same as above, plus gifts up to the value of JD50 or USD150.
Driving licence:
A driving licence of your country of residence is required when renting a car in Jordan. Standard car plates are distinctly different from car rental plates and visitors are not allowed to drive vehicles with local car plates without a local licence. Driving is on the right-hand side of the road.
Emergency telephone numbers:
Ambulance and First Aid - 193
Fire Brigade - 199
Police - 191
Rescue Police - 192
Hours of work:
Business: 0830 to 1300 hours and 1500 to 2000 hours, Sunday - Thursday.
Government offices: 0800 to 1500 hours, Sunday - Thursday.
Private offices: 0800 to 1300 hours and 1500 to 1800 hours, Sunday - Thursday.
Public holidays (fixed):
1st January - New Year’s Day
30th January - His Majesty
King Abdullah II’s Birthday
1st May - Labour Day
25th May - Independence Day
14th November - The late King Hussein’s Birthday
25th December - Christmas Day
These are based on the Gregorian calendar.
Public holidays (moveable):
Lailat Al Miraj
Eid Al Fitr
Eid Al Adha
Islamic New Year’s Day
Prophet’s Birthday
These are based on the Islamic calendar (holidays move forward by 10 to 11 days each year).
Time zone:
GMT + 2 hours.
GMT + 3 hours (from the last Friday of March until the last Friday of October).
Language:
Arabic is the official language, although English and French are widely spoken.
Tipping:
A 10 per cent tip is generally expected in upmarket restaurants.
Dress code:
Visitors must bear in mind that Jordan is an Islamic country and although Jordanians are to some extent liberal, visitors are requested to dress modestly. It is important to wear clothes that cover the body from the shoulders to the knees, especially when visiting religious shrines, places of worship or going to the marketplace. If you envisage attending a formal meeting, light formal attire is recommended.
Electricity:
220 volts, 50 cycles AC.
Safety tips:
Jordan has a low crime rate. However, it is advisable that valuables and passports are kept in safety deposit boxes provided in your hotel.