DESTINATION

WELCOME TO DESERT ADVENTURES

JORDAN AT THE GLANCE

The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, which once captivated ancient travelers, continues to enthrall a whole new generation as a modern, vibrant nation.

From the haunting, primeval starkness of Wadi Rum, to the teeming center of urban Amman; from the majestic ruins of bygone civilizations to the timeless splendor of the Dead Sea and to the world wonder of Petra , Jordan is unveiled, as a unique destination offering breathtaking and mysterious sights, high standard accommodations, exquisite cuisine and countless activities, that can provide visitors with inspiration, motivation, and rejuvenation. Marveling at herds of gazelles and Oryx and migrating birds, camping amidst the grandeur of Wadi Rum or Dana Reserve, trekking the ancient caravan trails from the highlands of Moab and Edom, hiking the wooded hills of biblical Gilead, or experiencing the unique, cleansing mud baths of the Dead Sea are just a few examples of the treasures awaiting visitors to this unique kingdom. The new stream of luxury hotels emerging in Amman, Petra, Aqaba and the Dead Sea is just adding quality to a refined product that is distinct, accessible and friendly. A product that is home to a new display of modern meeting facilities and unique venues for incentive travel.

BASIC FACTS

Public Holidays

We have plenty of holidays in Jordan. All tourist sites and many businesses are open on most holidays, but government offices and banks close. Friday and Saturday are the official weekend days, although all tourist sites and many businesses are open on Saturday as well. Most Jordanian holidays are based on the Islamic religious calendar, and so they vary by about two weeks every year depending on the lunar calendar. During the holy month of Ramadan, Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset, so it would be prudent if you try to be respectful and not consume drinks, food and cigarettes outside of restaurants and tourist sites. the Arab World and Europe

What time is it in Jordan

Standard time zone GMT +2

What’s the voltage

The electricity is 220 volts, so bring along a transformer if you need one

Do I have to Tip

Tipping is not compulsory, but is expected.

What about the food and drink

Eating is the most popular national pastime hence the Jordanian cuisine is quite refined. Most hotels offer continental breakfast and buffet dinner with a choice of western and Arabic foods. Restaurants at sites usually offer traditional Arabic food or buffet lunches. In the major cities you'll also find international restaurants, including McDonalds, Burger King and other healthy restaurants!
You are allowed to consume alcoholic drinks freely.

Do tourists have to pay taxes on hotel bills?

Yes, they do. 22% consisting of service charge and municipality tax are always added to either hotel and restaurant bills.

Visiting Jordan with kids?

There are plenty of activities for kids, especially if you are going during the summer. From visiting Petra, to floating in the Dead Sea or camping in Wadi RUM, these activities are family-friendly and will not bore the children. If you are staying in Amman, you can find horse riding, children’s museums and parks to keep the young ones entertained.

What’s the official currency?

The Jordanian Dinar (JD) is divided into 1,000 fils, although many people refer to piasters. One piaster equals 10 fils, so there are 100 piasters in a dinar.
Notes: 5, 10 and 20 and 50 dinars.
Coins: 5, 10, 25, 50, 100, 250 fils, 1/2 and 1 dinar.
US$1 = JD 0.708 (JD IS PEGGED TO THE US$)
You will get the best exchange rate at exchange shops and banks, although the banks at the borders and in the airports charge a small commission. If you carry Travellers checks, you will be charged a commission ranging from JD 3 to JD 8 even at a bank, sometimes for each check, so carry larger denominations. Hotels will charge a premium for changing money, so try to avoid this. All Banks are closed on Fridays and Saturdays, though some exchange shops remain open.

What’s the official language?

Arabic is the official language. English is widely spoken throughout the Kingdom. Most road signs are in English.

What's the weather like?

Jordan has a long and pleasant spring and fall, from March through May and from September through November. Rain occasionally falls from December to April. The summer months are hot, but with little humidity. In the Jordan Valley, around the Dead Sea and in Aqaba on the Red Sea the winters are pleasant.

Is it safe

The first thing you will notice when you arrive to Jordan is that the people are very warm and welcoming to tourists. You will be pleasantly surprised by the sense of security you will find in Jordan- it is one of the safest places to travel in the world. Jordan maintains good relations with ALL of its neighbors, and is truly an oasis of peace in this region. The country is fairly liberal, westernized, and alcohol is freely available

Is Alcohol Allowed?

Most hotels and restaurants offer a wide range of alcoholic beverages, with excellent selection of local wine and beer.

How should I dress?

qWhen planning your clothing needs (particularly women), remember that you will be travelling to the Muslim county. Clothes should not be revealing. For example: women and men can wear shorts, though it’s preferable for women to avoid wearing them while walking in Amman's city center. By following above guidelines, you will feel more relaxed. Make sure you bring with you comfortable walking shoes, a hat and sun block. The weather is usually warm in summer, but winters can be very cold, evenings are cool year round, so bring adequate warm clothing with you. If you were sleeping in the desert then you would need a warm sweater and Jacket even in summer

Postal Service

As well as post offices, most 4 and 5-star hotels offer postal services. Post office opening hours are:
Summer: Sat-Thurs 0700-1900, Fri 0700-1300
Winter: Sat-Thurs 0700-1700, Fri 0700-1300
There are also a number of international courier services, including DHL, FedEx, TNT International, UPS, etc.

Credit Cards

Credit cards are accepted at hotels, restaurants and larger shops, including American Express, Visa, Diners Club, and MasterCard. Please note that many smaller shops still prefer cash payment in the Jordanian currency, and it’s essential for shopping in the local souks.

Local Customs

A brief list of Do’s and Don'ts to help visitors fit in with the local culture.

Do’s

Do shake hands when meeting people, conservative veiled women may not reach out.
Do stand up when greeting others.
When finished with your cup of Arabic coffee, do shake your cup from side to side in order to let your host know
that you do not wish to drink more. If more coffee is desired, then simply hold your cup out to the person carrying
the coffeepot.
Do accept when Arabic coffee is offered to you by your host, as coffee is an important cultural symbol of hospitality, simultaneously extended and accepted as an act of reciprocated goodwill.
Do carry plenty of loose change with you, as many Jordanians usually do not carry adequate change.
Do tip waiters approximately 10% gratuity in addition to the bill (unless service charge is included within the total bill).
Do round your taxi fare up to the nearest tenth when paying your driver.
Do haggle with merchants when shopping.
Do dress conservatively when exploring public areas of Jordan.
Do be aware that Arabs tend to stand a fraction of the distance closer when conversing than people do in the West.
Do feel free to consume alcoholic beverages, but not in outside public areas.

Don’ts

Don't interrupt, or pass in front of, a Muslim who may be praying in a public place.
Don't openly consume food, beverages, or cigarettes in public places during the holy month of Ramadan.
Don't dress provocatively when walking outdoors.
Don't panic if an acquaintance "pecks" you on the cheeks when greeting you, as Arabs have traditionally kissed each other on both cheeks, as a warm gesture of welcome and affection.
Don't feel uncomfortable, if your host insists on "over feeding" you during a meal, as Arabs traditionally view food as
an important symbol of hospitality, generosity, and goodwill – the more the better!
Don't feel that you are required to tip your taxi driver, as tipping in such a scenario is not necessary, but is certainly appreciated

Medical Care

Medical services are excellent in the larger cities and towns and most doctors are bilingual in Arabic an English.

Larger hotels have a doctor on call and embassies can also suggest doctors and hospitals..

Abed Al Hadi Eye Hospital	Jabal Amman 3rd Circle	+962-6-4627624
Al Ahli	Abdali	+962-6-5664164
Al Basheer	Ashrafiatel	+962-6-4775126
Al Muasher	Jabal Al Hussein	+962-6-5667227
Al Rahmeh	Marka	+962-6-4893855
Al Sharif Eye Center	Jabal Amman 3rd Circle	+962-6-4644061
Alkhalidi Medical Center	3rd Circle	+962-6-4644281
Amman Surgical	3rd Circle- Close to Jordan Intercontinental Hotel	+962-6-4641261
Aqleh	1st Circle	+962-6-4656762
Arab Center	5th Circle - Close to Sheraton Al Nablin Hotel	+962-6-5921199
Eye Specialzed Hospital	Al Madena Al Monourah Street	+962-6-5521107
Farah Maternity	3rd Circle	+962-6-4603555
Hussein Medical Center	Al-Hussein Medical St.	+962-6-5804804
Ibn Al Haitham	Al Madena Al Monourah Street	+962-6-5510947
Islamic	Abdali	+962-6-5680127
Italian	Downtown	+962-6-4777101
Jabal Amman Maternity	2nd Circle	+962-6-4644919
Malhas	1st Circle	+962-6-4636140
Palestine	shmeisani-Close to Marriott Amman Hotel	+962-6-5607071
Queen Alia Military	Al -Urdan St.	+962-6-5157100
University	University St.	+962-6-5353444

Visas

Certain nationalities require an entry visa to be obtained prior travelling. Please refer to the list below, to find which nationalities require visa clearance. The below list is meant solely, as a useful tool, and that data within it is subject to change without prior notice. It is recommended that you check with the Jordanian diplomatic mission in your country of residence prior your travel, to ensure that you have all the necessary paperwork for travelling. Arrivals at Aqaba, either at the port, at the airport or at the crossing point from Israel or Saudi Arabia, are granted a free visa to Jordan. There is no obligation associated with this visa, provided that they leave the country within 1 month from the date of arrival, and that they do not need to renew their visa.

Countries requiring prior visa clearance

Angola , Albania , Afghanistan, Benin , Botswana , Belize ,Afghanistan, Burkina Faso , Burundi , Cameron , Central African Republic ,Chad ,Congo, Chad , Cambodia , Colombia , Cuba , Criteria Cambodia ,China Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast, Djibouti , Equatorial Ghana , Ethiopia , Gambia, Ghana , Guinea , Guinea-Bissau , Iran, Iraq Kenya, Liberia , Laos Madagascar , Belize , Mali, Mongolia ,Mauritania ,Macedonia Mozambique, Morocco 18-35 years, Niger , Nigeria , New Guinea , Nepal ,Senegal , Sierra Leone , Somalia , Sudan , Tambia , Tanzania , Togo , Uganda , Zaire , Zambia ,Pakistan ,Papua , Philippines , Sri Lanka , Uzbekistan , Vietnam, Moldavia ,Romania

Visa Requirements

Guest arriving through a designated Jordanian tour operator are exempted from all visa charges according to the following conditions:

a. Tourist groups enter the Kingdom under the guarantee of a Jordanian tour operator.

b. Number of individuals in a group should be 5 pax or more

c. A minimum stay of two continuous nights per visit.

d. Arrival and departure of the tourist group should be as one group.

e. Valid passport for next 6 months

Guest arriving through a designated Jordanian tour operator are not exempted from all visa charges according to the following conditions:

a. Number of individuals in a group are less than 4 pax

b. Hotel stay of less than two continuous nights per visit.

c. Visa charges as per below chart( payment in JOD)

Type of Visit effective 01/01/2011	Amount in Jordanian Dinar	Amount in USD Dollar
One visit	20 JOD	USD 29.00

In a group five or more, a list of passport details is required 3 weeks prior to the arrival of the groups visiting Jordan, to facilitate obtaining group visa on arrival. The following information is required:
1-Name and Family name.
2-Nationality.
3-Date of birth.
4-Passport number.
5-Passport issue & expiry date The below fees will be applied only to FIT travelers up to 4 pax, and groups from 5 pax and over who doesn’t stay a minimum of 2 consecutive nights in Jordan,

Airports & Borders In Jordan

Airports: Jordan has three airports:

The most visitors arrive via Queen Alia International Airport (QAIA), 30 minutes distant from Amman city.

Marka Airport mainly serves as a regional airport.

King Hussein International Airport (KHIA) is located, in Aqaba approximately a 45 minutes flight from Amman.

Border Crossings:

Jordan shares borders with Israel and the Palestine Territories in the west, Syria in the north, Iraq and Saudi Arabia in the north and south. Between Syria - Jordan, you can cross two borders Jaber or Ramtha. Jaber is 80 kms away from Amman and more popular for visitors. Both borders are open 24/7 throughout the year.

Three border crossings are existing between Israel/Palestine – Jordan:

The Allenby/King Hussein Bridge, 57 kms away from Amman, is open Sun - Thu 08:00 – 20:00 for arrivals and 8:00 to 14:00 for departures and Fri - Sat 08:00 – 13:00. It is not possible to obtain here a visa to Jordan. The border is closed on Yom Kippur and the Feast of Sacrifice (Eid al Adha).

The Sheikh Hussein Crossing/Jordan River Terminal in the north, 90 kms away from Amman, is open Sun - Thu: 06:30 – 21:00, Fri-Sat: 08:00 – 20:00. It is closed on Yom Kippur and the Islamic New Year.

The Wadi Araba Crossing/South Border, 7 kms away from Aqaba, operates Sun – Thu 06:30 – 20:00 and Fri – Sat 08:00 – 20:00. Wadi Araba Crossing closes on Islamic New Year and Yom Kippur.

No land border connects Egypt - Jordan, but between the two countries daily ferries are operating.

There is the boat service from Nuweibah to Aqaba Port, and another from Taba to Aqaba.

The border between Iraq - Jordan is called Al Karamah Border Crossing, 331 kms away from Amman.

There are three border crossings Saudi Arabia - Jordan, open 24/7 throughout the year: Umari and

Mudawara Border as well as the Durra Crossing, close to Aqaba.

Useful Numbers

Dial 199 to call Paramedics if you need urgent medical care.

Dial 199 to call Firefighters in case of a fire.
Dial 191 if you are getting pick-pocketed, robbed or harassed in any way.
Dial 191 if you have any complaints about the personnel of touristic sites and hotels.
Dial 190 in case of road accident or any problems related to traffic.

qDial 194 in case of any problems that happen to you while on the highways How can I keep in touch?

There country has an excellent telecommunications infrastructure including three mobile networks, you can even buy prepaid GSM cards. You will also find Internet facilities in major hotels and in the form of Internet cafés in virtually all cities. Besides Arabic newspapers, there is an excellent daily English-language newspaper, the Jordan

Times. Major hotels also offer a wide variety of foreign newspapers and magazines.

Telephone

To call Jordan, you have to dial: + 962 + City Area Code + Number you wish to call.

The area code for AMMAN is 06, though if you are calling from outside JORDAN you just dial 6

The following is a list of area codes in Jordan

Ajloun, Irbid, Jerash, Mafraq, Ramtha	02
Balqa , Madaba , Salt, Zarqa	05
Aqaba, Kerak, Ma'an, Tafila , petra , wadi rum	03
Amman, Abu Allanda	06
Mobile Phones – Zain	79
Mobile Phones – Orange	77
Mobile Phones omniuh	78

Embassies/Consulates in Jordan

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Australian Embassy in Amman, Jordan	+962 6 5807000
Embassy of Austria in Amman,	+962 6 4601101
Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Amman, Jordan	+962 6 5935525
Embassy of Belgium in Amman, Jordan	+962 795527638
Embassy of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Jordan	+962 6 5856921
Embassy of Brunei Darussalam In Jordan	+962 6 5928021 / 593
Embassy of Canada in Amman, Jordan	011 962 6 5203300
Chinese Embassy in Amman	+962 6 5516136
Consulate of the Republic of Croatia in Amman, Jordan	+962 7 95599393
Embassy of the Czech Republic in Amman, Jordan	+962 6 5927051
Honorary Consulate General of Finland in Amman, Jordan	Phone: 962-6-582 4607 5960
Embassy of France in Amman, Jordan	+962 6 4604630
Embassy of Georgia in Amman, Jordan	+962 6 5603793
Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Amman,	Phone: (00962 6) 593 03
Embassy of Greece in Amman, Jordan	+962 6 5922724-5
Embassy of India in Jordan	+962 6 4622098 / 4637262
Embassy of Indonesia in Amman, Jordan	+962 6 5926908, 5926798, 5926914
Honorary Consul of Ireland in Amman, Jordan	+962 6 5516807
Embassy of Israel in Amman, Jordan	+962 6 5503500; +962 6 5503531
Embassy of Italy in Amman, Jordan	+962 6 4638185
Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Amman	+962 6 5927953
Embassy of Malaysia in Amman, Jordan	+962 6 5902400
Embassy of the Kingdom of Netherlands in Amman,	+962 6 5902200
Embassy of Spain in Jordan	+962 6 4614166 / 4614167 / 4614168
Embassy of the Kingdom of Netherlands in Amman,	+962 6 5902200
Embassy of the Philippines in Amman, Jordan	+962 6 5923748, 5929402
Embassy of Russia in Amman, Jordan	+962 6 4641158, 4641229
Embassy of Ukraine in Jordan	+962 6 5922402 / +962 6 5922406
U.S. Embassy in Amman, Jordan	+962 6 5906000
British Embassy in Amman, Jordan	+962 6 5909200

Airlines in Jordan

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Austrian	+962 6 5660449 / 5692700 / 568730
Turkish	+962 6 4641710 / 4659112 / 4659102
Cyprus Airways	+962 6 5696719
Ukrainian	+962 6 5512952 / 5541892
Royal Jordanian	+962 6 5678168 / 5202000
Canadian	+962 6 4630879
Romanian	+962 6 5620760
Gulf airline	+962 6 4653613 / 4653621 / 4653618
Etihad airlines	+962 6 4680100
Emirates airlines	+962 6 4615597 / 4615571 / 4615222
Air France	+962 6 5100771 / 4451940
United	+962 6 5518158
British	+962 6 5828801
Iberia (airline)	+962 6 4625197 / 4641392 / 4641391
Lufthansa	+962 6 5200180
Olympic Air (creek)	+962 6 5664871
Delta airlines	+962 6 4643661
Qatar airlines	+962 6 5679444
Aeroflot	+962 6 5663150
Alitalia	+962 6 4625200
KLM	+962 6 4655267
Oman air	+962 6 5004450
MEA	+962 6 4603500
Egypt airlines	+962 6 4639119
Arabian airlines	+962 6 5603666
P.M.I	+962 6 5548951