Around Jordan

Jordan follows the Islamic calendar for most holidays, so dates move about 11 days earlier each year. Check the exact dates before you book.

The main ones are Eid al-Fitr (end of Ramadan), Eid al-Adha, the Islamic New Year, the Prophet's birthday and Isra and Mi'raj. Fixed dates include New Year's Day, Labour Day (1 May), Independence Day (25 May) and Christmas Day (25 December).

During Eid, banks, offices and many shops close for several days. Local families travel, so hotels at the Dead Sea and Aqaba fill up and prices rise. Buses can be full.

During Ramadan, most restaurants close or screen their windows in the daytime outside tourist areas. Eating, drinking and smoking in public is discouraged. Sights stay open, often with shorter hours. Evenings are lively after sunset.

The weekend is Friday and Saturday. Friday is the quietest day.

Jordan has a dry climate with four seasons. Spring and autumn are the best times to travel.

• March to May: warm, green and pleasant. Wildflowers bloom in the north. Days are usually 20 to 28 degrees.
• June to August: hot and dry. Amman is warm, but Petra and Wadi Rum can pass 35 degrees. The Dead Sea and Aqaba are hotter still.
• September to November: warm and clear. October and early November are very comfortable.
• December to February: cool. Amman and the highlands can be cold, wet and sometimes snowy. Petra can be chilly with rain. Aqaba stays mild.

The best months are March to May and September to November. These are also the busiest and most expensive months.

Winter rain can cause flash floods in wadis and at Petra. Some walks may close. Your tour leader will adjust plans if needed.

Jordan uses 230 volts at 50 Hz, the same as the Netherlands and Belgium. Your Dutch or Belgian devices will work without a converter.

The sockets are mostly type B (three-pin, as used in the US), type C and type D (Indian-style round pins). Many hotels use a mix. Your standard European two-pin plug (type C) usually fits. Some sockets are recessed or loose. A universal adapter is cheap and a good idea. Bring one with a three-pin option if you have it.

The power supply in towns and hotels is generally reliable. Short power cuts can happen, mostly in remote areas. In desert camps, power may be limited or run by generator or solar, and may be off at night. Bring a power bank and a head torch. Charge your devices whenever you can.

Jordanian food is tasty and easy to enjoy. A meal often starts with mezze: hummus, moutabal, tabbouleh, fattoush, falafel and fresh bread.

Key dishes:
- Mansaf: lamb cooked in a yoghurt sauce, served with rice. It is the national dish.
- Maqluba: rice, vegetables and meat or chicken, turned upside down.
- Zarb: meat and vegetables cooked in an underground oven by Bedouin.
- Knafeh: a warm, sweet cheese pastry.

Tap water is treated, but many visitors find it upsets their stomach. Drink bottled or filtered water. Use it to brush your teeth too if you have a sensitive stomach. Ice in good restaurants is usually fine.

Vegetarians are well served, because many mezze dishes have no meat. Vegans can manage, but ask about ghee and yoghurt. For allergies, gluten-free or halal needs, tell Globeberry before departure. Pork and alcohol are not available everywhere. Alcohol is served in many hotels and some restaurants.

Tipping is common in Jordan, and staff often earn little. Small amounts in cash are appreciated. Carry small notes in Jordanian dinars. Amounts below are a guide only.

• Restaurants: check if a service charge is on the bill. In many places it is added, often with tax. If so, you can leave a little extra. If not, 10 percent is usual.
• Cafés and taxi drivers: round up the bill.
• Hotel porters: about 1 JOD per bag is common.
• Housekeeping: a small amount per night, left in the room.
• Local guides and drivers: your tour leader will advise at the start of the trip. Many groups pool a tip. Guides and drivers usually get a larger tip than hotel staff.

Tipping is never forced. Give it when service is good. Ask your tour leader if you are unsure what is normal.

Jordanians are generally friendly to photographers, but good manners matter.

People: always ask first, especially women and older people. Some will say no. Do not insist. If you take photos of market sellers or Bedouin, a polite word or a small purchase helps. Never photograph people who are praying or are in private spaces.

Religious sites: in most mosques you may take photos outside prayer times, but ask first. Non-Muslims may only visit some mosques. Do not use a flash.

Military and government buildings: do not photograph soldiers, checkpoints, border areas, military sites, airports, palaces or police posts. This can lead to questions or deletion of images. Obey signs.

Drones: they are tightly controlled. You generally need permission from the authorities, and drones may be confiscated at the border. Do not bring one without checking the current rules with the Jordanian Civil Aviation Regulatory Commission and the embassy.

The currency is the Jordanian dinar (JOD), divided into 100 piastres. It is a strong currency, tied to the US dollar. One dinar is worth more than one euro. Check the current rate before you go.

Cards are accepted in hotels, larger restaurants and many shops in Amman and Aqaba. Visa and Mastercard are the most common. Cash is needed in small shops, taxis, markets, villages and for tips. ATMs are common in towns. They are rare in remote areas, so get cash before you leave the city. Check your bank's fees for withdrawals abroad.

You can exchange money at banks and licensed exchange offices in Amman, which often give better rates than hotels. Keep your receipts. You can use euros or dollars in some tourist places, but the rate may be poor.

Prices: Jordan is not a cheap country for visitors. Entry fees for key sights can be high. Check current prices with your tour leader or official sites.

Health advice changes, so consult a travel clinic (for example via the LCR in the Netherlands) four to six weeks before you leave. Also check the advice on nederlandwereldwijd.nl. Your doctor will advise you based on your own health and plans.

Topics to discuss: routine vaccinations (including tetanus, diphtheria, polio and measles), hepatitis A, and possibly hepatitis B, typhoid and rabies depending on your plans. There is no malaria risk in the main tourist areas.

Altitude is not a problem. Amman is about 900 metres, and the highest parts of Petra and the hills are not much higher.

The main risks are heat, sun, dehydration and stomach upsets. Drink lots of water, use sun cream, wear a hat and take rest breaks. Insects are a minor issue, though sandflies and mosquitoes can bite in some places. Use repellent.

Medical care in Amman is good, and private hospitals are modern. Care is limited in rural areas. Take out travel insurance with medical cover. Bring enough of any personal medication in its original packaging.

Jordan is a hospitable country with traditional values. A little respect goes a long way.

Customs: greet people politely. Use your right hand to eat, give and receive. Accept tea or coffee when offered. Avoid public displays of affection. Do not point your feet at people or show the soles of your shoes. Ask before entering a home. During Ramadan, avoid eating or drinking in public in the daytime.

Environment: Jordan is one of the driest countries in the world. Save water in your hotel, take short showers and reuse towels. Take your rubbish with you from the desert and from walking trails. Carry a refillable bottle and refill it from large water containers where possible, to avoid single-use plastic. Do not touch or remove stones, pottery or other artefacts at archaeological sites.

Spending: buy crafts, food and services directly from local people. Eat in family-run restaurants, use local guides and stay in locally owned places. Bargain politely in markets, but do not push for the lowest price.

Pack light, breathable layers that cover your skin. This also protects you from the sun.

Spring and autumn: t-shirts, a light jacket or fleece for the evening, long trousers and a sun hat. Summer: very light long clothes, a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses and high-factor sun cream. Winter: a warm coat, a waterproof layer, a hat and gloves for Amman, Petra and Wadi Rum. Evenings in the desert are cold in all seasons.

Good walking shoes or sturdy trainers are essential, as Petra involves long walks over uneven ground. Bring sandals for the hotel and a swimsuit for the Dead Sea and Aqaba.

Dress codes: Jordan is relatively relaxed, but dress modestly away from beach resorts.
- Both men and women: cover shoulders and knees. Avoid shorts and sleeveless tops in towns.
- Women: bring a light scarf for mosques. Wear long sleeves and long skirts or trousers.
- Mosques: take off your shoes. Check if non-Muslims may enter.

Swimwear is fine at resorts and beaches that are meant for tourists.

Always check the current address, phone number and opening hours on the official websites before you travel or need help. Details can change.

The Dutch embassy in Amman represents the Netherlands in Jordan. It helps Dutch citizens in emergencies. Find the current address, contact details and the emergency number on nederlandwereldwijd.nl, under Jordan. Belgian travellers can find the Belgian embassy details on the website of the Belgian Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs (diplomatie.belgium.be).

The national tourist office is the Jordan Tourism Board. Its official website, visitjordan.com, has information on sights, events and practical matters. Check it for current contact details.

Before you leave, save the embassy details and the emergency number of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs (24/7 service) on your phone and on paper. Find these numbers on nederlandwereldwijd.nl. Do not rely on numbers from unofficial sites.

Hours vary by place and season, so treat these as a general guide.

The weekend in Jordan is Friday and Saturday. Friday is the main day of prayer, so many places open late or close.

• Shops: usually from about 9 or 10 in the morning to 8 or 9 in the evening. Many close on Friday morning. Shops in tourist areas and malls keep longer hours.
• Banks: usually Sunday to Thursday, from about 8:30 to 15:00 or so. Exchange offices keep longer hours.
• Government offices: Sunday to Thursday, normally in the morning to mid-afternoon.
• Museums and sights: often open daily, with shorter hours in winter. Petra opens early in the morning and closes around sunset or earlier in winter. Some sites close on Fridays or public holidays.

During Ramadan, hours are shorter and shift to the evening. Check the official websites of sights for current times.

Rules change, so always check the latest entry requirements before you book and again before you leave.

In general, Dutch citizens need a passport that is valid for at least six months from the date of arrival. Check whether you need a visa. Many visitors can get a visa on arrival, but there are different rules for different entry points and trip types. The Jordan Pass is a package that combines the visa fee and entry to many sights. It can be worth it if you meet the conditions, but check the details first.

Check the official sources:
- nederlandwereldwijd.nl, under Jordan, for entry and travel documents.
- The Jordanian embassy, for visa rules and current fees.
- The official Jordan Pass and Visit Jordan websites.

Belgian citizens should check the website of Belgium's Foreign Affairs ministry. Make sure your name matches on your passport, tickets and any pass. Carry a copy of your passport pages separately.

The official language is Arabic. Jordanians speak Jordanian Arabic, which is a Levantine dialect. Modern Standard Arabic is used in writing and media.

English is widely spoken in Amman, Aqaba, Petra and in hotels, tourist restaurants and shops. Many young people speak good English. Road signs are in Arabic and English. In villages, with older people and in some shops, English is limited. A few words in Arabic are much appreciated, and a smile helps.

Useful words:
- Marhaba: hello
- Shukran: thank you
- Afwan: you are welcome
- Na'am / La: yes / no
- Min fadlak (to a man) / Min fadlik (to a woman): please
- Yalla: let's go
- Bikam hada?: how much is this?
- La shukran: no, thank you
- As-salamu alaykum: peace be upon you (a formal greeting)
- Ma'a as-salama: goodbye

Mobile coverage is good in cities, along main roads and in most tourist areas, including Petra and the Dead Sea. It can be patchy in Wadi Rum, in remote valleys and in the desert.

Roaming: Jordan is outside the EU, so the EU roaming rules do not apply. Charges can be high. Ask your provider about costs and any travel bundles before you leave, and switch off data roaming if you do not want charges.

Local SIM and eSIM: Jordan has several mobile operators. You can buy a SIM at the airport or in town, and you need your passport to register. International eSIMs are also available. Check that your phone is unlocked. Compare prices and coverage before you buy.

Wifi: most hotels and many cafés and restaurants have free wifi. Speed varies. On our trips, your tour leader can tell you where to find a good connection. Some messaging and calling apps may be limited, so check before you leave.

Jordan uses Eastern European Time. It has had year-round summer time (UTC+3) in recent years, but check the current rules before you travel, as this has changed before.

The Netherlands and Belgium use Central European Time (UTC+1) in winter and Central European Summer Time (UTC+2) in summer.

If Jordan stays on UTC+3 all year:
- In summer (late March to late October): Jordan is 1 hour ahead of the Netherlands.
- In winter (late October to late March): Jordan is 2 hours ahead.

Because Jordan's time rules have changed in the past, check the time difference on a reliable world clock before you travel. Your phone will usually update automatically when you arrive. Remember to check your flight times, which are always shown in local time.

Jordan is generally considered a stable and welcoming country for visitors, and most trips are trouble-free. However, the situation in the region can change quickly.

Before you book and again before you leave, read the Dutch travel advice for Jordan on nederlandwereldwijd.nl. It gives the current safety level and any warnings, including for border areas with Syria, Iraq and Israel and the West Bank. Belgian travellers can check the Belgian Foreign Affairs advice. Register your trip and follow the news.

Common problems are small. Taxi drivers may not use the meter, so agree a price first or use a ride-hailing app. Some sellers may be pushy or quote high prices. Be careful with unexpected offers of help, gifts or free tours, which usually lead to a request for payment. Pickpocketing is rare but can happen in busy places.

Other tips: women travelling alone may get attention, so dress modestly and stay calm. Keep valuables and documents safe. Avoid demonstrations. Take care on desert roads and at the Dead Sea. Take out travel insurance.