Jordan: A Land of Wonders 🌍✨

Desert landscape with a dirt road leading to rocky mountains under a hazy sky. Sparse vegetation and warm, earthy tones create a serene mood. — Wadi Rum

Jordan, in the heart of the Middle East, is a welcoming country known for its striking landscapes

delicious food 🍽️ and historically significant ancient sites 🏛️.

🌄 Wadi Rum – A Desert Dream

Before visiting Jordan, I had heard about its breathtaking natural beauty 🌅 and famous archaeological sites, but I wasn’t sure what to expect beyond that. What I discovered was a country that offers not just history and adventure but also warm hospitality 🤗 and moments of pure serenity.

One of the most surreal experiences I had was in Wadi Rum 🏜️.

The desert landscape felt almost otherworldly—massive rock formations 🏔️, vast golden sands 🌅

and a sky that turned shades of deep orange and purple at sunset 🌄.

Spending the night in a Bedouin camp ⛺ was an absolute highlight!

Sitting around the fire 🔥, sipping sweet tea 🍵, and listening to traditional music 🎶

under a sky full of stars ✨ made me feel connected to the land in a way I didn’t anticipate.

Ancient stone archway with intricate carvings against a bright blue sky with scattered clouds. Historic and majestic atmosphere. — Jerash

🏛️ Jerash – A Step Back in Time

I’ve always been fascinated by ancient civilizations, so visiting Jerash was like stepping back in time ⏳. Walking through Hadrian’s Arch and into the ruins of this well-preserved Roman city, I could almost hear the echoes of chariots on the stone-paved streets 🏇.

The grand columns of the Temple of Artemis and the enormous Oval Plaza were absolutely stunning! 🤩

🔍 What to Expect on Your First Trip to Jordan

After spending over a week in Jordan, I can confidently say it’s a country that blends history, culture, and natural wonders beautifully.

Here are some things I learned along the way:

🗣️ Language

Arabic 🇯🇴 is the official language, but English is widely spoken in cities and tourist areas 🏙️.

Even in smaller towns, people were happy to communicate with simple English or gestures 🤝.

Colorful ceramic plates with floral patterns and text in various languages, displayed on a shelf. Bowls of trinkets and souvenirs surround them. — Arabic

👗 Clothing

Jordan is a predominantly Islamic country 🕌, so dressing modestly is appreciated, especially in rural areas

In Amman and at tourist sites like Petra, the dress code was more relaxed 😎.

I wore a bikini 👙 at a Dead Sea resort without any issues, but on public beaches 🏖️, a one-piece or covering up was the norm.

Smiling person in a colorful scarf stands against a desert background, wearing a black jacket on a sunny day, exuding happiness.

🚗 Driving in Jordan

Initially, I thought driving might be chaotic 😅, but I was pleasantly surprised! Renting a car 🚘

was a fantastic choice, and the roads were mostly well-maintained.

The biggest challenge? Speed bumps! ⚠️

They were everywhere, often unmarked.

Road signs were mostly in English, though the spellings varied.

One unexpected adventure was driving through a dust storm 💨 near Kerak Castle 🏰.

Visibility dropped to almost zero, and for a moment, it felt like something out of a movie! 🎥😲

Two people in a car driving through scenic mountains. View from backseat, clear blue sky, and winding road visible ahead. Calm mood.

💰 Currency & Payments

The Jordanian Dinar (JD) 💵 is the local currency.

Credit cards 💳 were widely accepted in hotels 🏨 and restaurants 🍴

but carrying some cash for smaller shops 🛍️ and tipping 💸 was useful

Close-up of overlapping silver and gold coins, showcasing intricate patterns and text. The image creates a sense of abundance.

💡 Tipping in Jordan

Tipping isn’t mandatory, but it’s appreciated! 😊

Rounding up fares for taxi drivers 🚕, tipping 10% at restaurants 🍽️, and giving small tips to hotel staff 🏨 and guides 📖 felt like a nice way to show appreciation.

🏨 Accommodations

I stayed in a mix of luxury hotels 🏩 and family-run guesthouses 🏠.

The five-star resorts were, of course, fantastic, with pools 🏊‍♂️, spas 💆, and top-tier service.

But I also loved the charm of the smaller guesthouses, where the hosts made me feel like family 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦.

One host in Dana Biosphere Reserve 🌿 even invited me to join their family dinner 🍛, and it ended up being one of my most memorable evenings in Jordan!

Sunny vintage room with checkered floor, teal windows, and framed art. A table with fruit centerpiece, surrounded by wooden chairs.

🚰 Drinking Water

Tap water 🚰 is technically safe, but most locals prefer bottled water 🍼.

My hotel rooms provided complimentary bottles, so I stuck with those just to be safe! 👍

Ancient stone columns and ruins with cityscape in the background under a clear blue sky, conveying a sense of historical mystery.

🔌 Electricity

Jordan uses 230V, and I encountered both round and rectangular plug types 🔌 in hotel rooms.

Carrying a universal adapter made things easier! 😊

Ancient stone columns under a blue sky at the Amman Citadel. Ruins rest on grassy terrain, evoking a sense of historical grandeur.

☀️ Weather

I visited in February, and the temperatures were cooler ❄️ than I expected, especially at night in the desert 🌌.

If you're visiting in winter, bring warm layers! 🧥 Summers, on the other hand, can be scorching 🔥especially in places like Petra and the Dead Sea.

Cityscape at dusk with dense buildings on a hillside. Dramatic clouds fill the sky, casting a moody atmosphere over the urban landscape.

🛡️ Safety & Security

Jordan felt safe throughout my trip.

Hotels had security checks 🔎, but I never felt uneasy walking around.

The locals were incredibly welcoming 🤗, and I never experienced any scams or aggressive sales tactics (except for one overly persistent vendor in Jerash 😅).

Hiker with backpack stands on rocky edge, overlooking a vast desert canyon under a partly cloudy sky, wearing shorts and boots.

🛍️ Haggling & Shopping

Bargaining 🏷️ was common in markets, but I learned quickly that offering too low of a price could be seen as insulting 😬.

Vendors appreciated a friendly back-and-forth negotiation rather than a battle over a few dinars.

Beach scene with rows of beige umbrellas and loungers on sandy shore. Calm turquoise sea and distant mountains under a clear blue sky.

🚻 Public Restrooms

Most toilets were Western-style 🚽, but I quickly learned to always carry tissues 🧻 and hand sanitizer 🧴, as some public restrooms lacked them.

Ancient stone structure with a large dome and arched entrance. Blue sky with clouds above, rustic path leading to the building. Tranquil mood.

🗺️ Travel Companies & Guides

For certain sites like Petra 🏜️ and Jerash 🏛️, I hired local guides, which made a huge difference! Their storytelling 🎤 and knowledge 📖 added so much depth to my visits.

For the rest of my trip, I planned my own itinerary and found that renting a car 🚗 gave me the freedom to explore at my own pace.

A wooden bench on a sandy beach near turquoise waves, under a clear blue sky. The scene evokes calm and solitude.

Two SUVs drive across a desert with dusty air and rocky mountains in the background. The sky is partly cloudy, creating a dramatic scene.

Ancient stone building with a large dome, situated on a sunny day. The arched entrance is prominent, surrounded by an open, arid landscape.

💭 Final Thoughts: Would I Return? Absolutely! ❤️

Jordan exceeded my expectations 🎉.

The landscapes were breathtaking 🏞️, the history was awe-inspiring 🏰, and the people were some of the friendliest I’ve met 🤗.

I was especially grateful for visiting in the off-season 🏕️—seeing Petra without the massive crowds made it feel even more magical ✨.

If you're considering a trip to Jordan, my biggest piece of advice is:

Go with an open heart! ❤️ Talk to the locals, try the food 🍽️ (don’t leave without having mansaf! 😋)

and embrace the adventure.

Whether you’re floating in the Dead Sea 🏖️, hiking in Wadi Mujib 🥾, or watching the sunset in Wadi Rum 🌅, Jordan has a way of leaving an unforgettable mark on you.

Would I go back? In a heartbeat! 💕✈️

Ancient rock-cut building with columns and intricate carvings in warm sandstone hues. Sunlit, framed by natural stone arch.

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