Tips For Traveling To Jordan

Tiffany--are you still using the same mi fi that you bought for Thailand? I bought the same model based on your report. If so, did you have any issues since it takes a full sized SIM card? Thanks in advance.

How widespread is credit card acceptance in Jordan, especially outside of Amman? Pretty good, or should a visitor plan on hitting up the ATM every couple of days?

Well done tiffany.
Planning a trip to Jordan with my wife around september.
Planning to rent a car as well.
Cheers,
Marcos

@ DSK -- I was on that trip, though I've since purchased one that supports 4G. Most countries will have full-sized SIM cards available, in my experience, or you can pick up a SIM card holder for a few dollars.

@ MeanMeosh -- I'd say about equivalent to Germany? All hotels, restaurants, and gas stations took credit cards, smaller vendors only took cash. I think we spent ~$250 in cash, other than what we spent at Petra.

Most rental cars require a 3 day minimum

Very cool. Thanks for sharing! I hope to visit some day.

Any tips for a solo traveler? I would think renting a car is over the top for just one person.

@ Ed -- I suppose how mobile you want to be and how much ground you want to cover. You could definitely get around via bus and taxi, but it would take longer. A hired car would be an option, but probably more expensive than self-driving.

I'd add one more warning for drivers - beware of unmarked speed bumps!!! (And check under the front of the rental car at the inspection before you drive away)

@Tiffany, language-wise, English acceptance throughout? Did you need to use any translator apps?

Jordanian SIM provided data service even within Petra? That is quite impressive, especially if outside the Khazneh area and the corridor beyond it where most tourists hang out.

One part of me would love to go to Jordan again, but another part is squeamish about being so near the slaughter taking place daily in Iraq and Syria.

I did think Wadi Rum was overhyped. As scenery, it is minor compared to (say) Utah. Anthony Quinn isn't there any more to invite you to dine with him in the Howitat camp.

Taking my son to Israel with day trip to Petra. Would you recommend having dinars or do most places take credit cards, shekels or US dollars? Thx

@ Tiffany

Can you do a post(or direct me to one) about these portable mi-fis? And how to use them? I only see the ones from carriers online and I don't what that. I want the one I buy myself without a plan and just insert a SIM like you said. It would be really helpful as the internet is failing me. Thanks!

@Allan Last year I purchased this unit which Tiffany indicated in her article on January 14, 2016 that she used in Thailand (available on Amazon): Huawei E5330Bs-2 21 Mbps 3G Mobile WiFi Hotspot (3G in Europe, Asia, Middle East & Africa) (white). It is only a 3G unit (which is why is is so inexpensive).

@Tiffany If you wouldn't mind letting us know what you purchased as a 4G replacement, it would be really appreciated. Thanks in advance.

@ DSK @ Allan -- The 3G one (which works perfectly fine if you just need maps and messaging) is here: http://amzn.to/2mprLTD

The 4G model is pricey, so I'd only go for that if you're serious about your digital nomad-ing: http://amzn.to/2mpfXRf

So glad you've been doing these trip reports, Tiffany. I love Jordan and encourage everyone to go there.

Can put I put in another plug for my favourite guesthouse in Amman, Hawa Guest House.

@Tiffany
Taking my son to Israel with day trip to Petra. Would you recommend having dinars or do most places take credit cards, shekels or US dollars? Thx

@ Rod -- I wouldn't expect anyone to take shekels or US dollars. All hotels, restaurants, and gas stations took credit cards, smaller vendors only took cash.

@ Chuck Lesker -- Yep! The only places we didn't have service were deep in Wadi Rum, or directly within the Siq at Petra.

@ JL -- We both know a few basic words and numbers in Arabic, but they were only necessary for politeness. People were friendly and helpful enough that language barriers weren't really an issue.

Hi Tiffany,

We went to Jordan independently - no tour group - two years ago and really liked the country. I pretty much agree with everything you wrote but I would never have driven there. You must be very brave! We hired a driver to take us down south and then back up to Amman. Though as you said, once out of Amman the driving seemed easy. I don't remember the price, but I remember thinking it was not expensive at all and well worth it to just sit back and let someone else do all the work.

We found the people to be friendly for the most part, or at the very least, polite.

Two suggestions for anybody going: 1) Restaurants in Petra near the site are very expensive. Walk up the hill (or take a cab as it's a long, steep walk) and eat up there for a fraction of the price. There are some good restaurants up there but no beer! 2) In Amman, all of the big Western hotels are in the new town. But staying in the old town gives a more authentic experience, and the small hotels and guest houses are inexpensive. The old Roman theater was only two blocks away and we could walk up the hill to the citadel.

I have been using Google Project Fi for a little over a month. Cell service in the US is not as great as I had with ATT. Data service on recent trips to the UK and India was great. But Inwas disappointed to learn that similar to Jordan, the dont offer data service in the Maldives. Actually, the just have wifi service there. Will need to get a SIM for my trip there this month.

You don't really need a mifi, Any unlocked android phone will do double duty as a mifi (wifi access point).

A newer phone such as the Samsung S7 will support many more 4G-LTE bands (including TDD bands in India and China) than the abovementioned 4G mifi does. And there's one less thing to carry.

My wife and I went to Petra and Madaba last October, and agree fully with your assessment: If more than 1 traveler, rent a car (need 1 to drive and 1 to navigate!), and watch out for the speed bumps; the other drivers are generally okay. Our guide in Petra advised "the new road" down to the Arava Valley -- what a hair-raising experience! Stunning views and stunning gradients and drop-offs! Thankfully there was almost no traffic, but there was also no cell-tower coverage. Google-maps was surprisingly good, when we had phone coverage. We also agree about the Mosaic City Hotel: what a sweet family place!

Everyone talks about Petra. Has anyone been to the Dead Sea or the Red Sea? Is that worth it? Is it terribly far to drive? Did anyone experience a guided overnight tent stay in the desert or a camel ride excursion in the desert or anything like that?

@ Jen -- If you look at the top of this post there's an index with everything we did in Jordan. We didn't go to the seas (too cold when we were there), but distances are short in Jordan, so you could. We did an overnight camp in Wadi Rum as well, and lots of hiking.

I think you nailed it great! I had the same problem with Google Maps sending me to a farmers field on a very steep, dirt road, instead of the Dana Guesthouse (which was 20 minutes in the other direction), but otherwise it was quite easy to navigate the country. The driving in Amman, although erratic, was predictable in my opinion, as people actually pay attention, compared to the cell phone distracted driver's I see daily in Vancouver.
Your advice to choose your type of trip is great. It is hard to see everything. I was there a MONTH and still did not see anything (well I had two little boys with me, so things like hiking the water trails were not an option).
You need to go back, Jerash is worth it!

This was a perfect article! When I travel to Jordan next I will definitely reference this article!

Hi Tiffany;
I am starting to plan a trip to Jordan,Egypt & Israel. We will scuba dive in the red sea (reason for the trip) it is close many countries that I would enjoy seeing & tasting a new experience.
Would you have suggestions about traveling by car through the boarder of each new country; Just fly into and rent a car to move about?
After reading your article "tips for traveling to Jordan" I am open to moving through this country by car.
Warm Regards
debra

Awesome, thanks so much for this really helpful guide! Will definitely buy a Jordan Pass - am going in March and slightly nervous about it as I'm not going on a tour, so it is reassuring to hear that driving is easy out there!

Hi Tiffany,

Thanks for all the information, its extremely useful.

I’m planning to go on a family road trip across Jordan, starting from Amman and covering Jerash, Ajloun castle, Petra, Dead Sea, Wadi Rum and Aqaba across seven days. I would like to hire tour guides, but only at the respective destinations. I’m currently only finding tour guides with full service, like transportation and entry fee. We’d like to drive to each of these destinations on our own, purchase an entry ticket (or use our Jordan Pass) and only pay for a guided tour of the location by an English guide for the entire group.

Is there a visitor center at each of these locations so we can hire a tour guide?
Thanks.

Regards,
AR

@ Ravi Ravi -- "visitors center" is a strong term for anywhere but Petra, but there were always plenty of people milling about the entrance offering guide services.

Great tips and helpful for future travelers! Looks like you had a wonderful visit to Jordan!