11.05.2020
8 min.

Note: This is meant to be the first in a series of Jordan travel advisory blogs designed to help those interested in possibly traveling to Jordan.

If you are interested in Jordan travel, stay up to date with the series. Zaman Tours is full of Jordan travel advisors who can help you plan the perfect vacation getaway so that you don’t have to worry about the difficult parts of vacation.

Planning a Middle East trip and not sure where you want to go? Been dying to experience the wonders of the Orient but always wondered how to do it in the safest, best manner?

The “Sharq Al Awsat”, the Arabic word for the Middle East, is an increasingly popular destination for tourists. So much so that 50 million tourists are expected to visit the region this year alone. Tourists travel to the Middle East because it offers an experience completely unlike any other region. It’s people are famously hospitable, its natural and man-made landmarks are a gateway to a world lost millennia in the past, and its food is some of the freshest and most mouth-watering on Planet Earth. It’s the perfect mix of history, culture, landscape, and wonder.

In this region, there’s no country that perfectly encapsulates the Middle East like Jordan – a country deeply rich in history and vastly complex in culture. It’s a country that combines everything you would dream about, from the roaring waters of Wadi Mujib to the camels roaming the still desert mountains of Wadi Rum to the amazing Roman and Nabatean ruins to the skyscrapers of Amman. It’s a country that tourists consistently return to and one that expats love to live in.

It’s the perfect tourist country and here in this article we are going to tell you exactly why. Consider this your own personal Jordan travel advisory.

1. Jordan is the perfect place to experience the things that make the Middle East so timeless

The warm hospitality of the Jordanian natives.
The gentleness and yet subtle fierceness of the Bedouin people.
The timeless and majestic wonders of the Wadi Rum desert.
The rich and magical architectural wonders of the ancient civilizations of Petra.

Jordan combines all of these, and offers a majestic and serene experience to the intrepid and adventurous traveler. Whether you’re a young explorer or a family looking for a family vacation, Jordan offers the perfect packages tailored to your individual interests.

Interested in hikes and adventures?

There’s no better place than Jordan. There are hundreds of great trails across Jordan where you can hike across valleys, mountains, deserts, and rivers. Travel to Wadi Mujib and you can follow several hikes and trails that track a flowing river situated between two canyon. Looking for a more challenging hike that will take half a day or more? The sandstone mountains of Wadi Rum offer the perfect strenuous exercise that nevertheless offers amazing scenic rewards. Love the waters? Go snorkeling and coral reef diving in the Red Sea waters of Aqaba.

Interested in relaxing and carefree nights?

Enjoy a romantic getaway in the Wadi Rum desert and spend the night under the stars. Feel the desert winds as you sleep under your blankets in your goat-hair strewn tents. Enjoy your time drinking tea with the local Bedouins. Travel to the capital city of Amman and enjoy the plentiful cafes and restaurants that offer foods of all varieties. Plenty of bars also exist across Amman, meaning it can be the perfect way to wind down an otherwise amazing day. Looking for nightlife? Plenty of live music can be found across restaurants and bars and clubs, meaning you can eat and drink to your heart’s delight while hearing a mix of English and Arabic music.

Spend your day in the Dead Sea. Enjoy floating with your friends in the salty and mineral-rich waters (it feels like you’re levitating) and then end it with pouring the Dead Sea mud all over your body, mud that’s famous for its medicinal and cleansing powers. At the end, travel back to your hotel and swim or rest besides the pool.

Interested in history and culture?

Visit the ancient ruins of Petra, the ancient capital of the Nabatean empire and a famous historic trading city between Morocco and India. It’s been inhabited for thousands of years and is scattered with old temples, stone carvings, and tombs. Once you finish with Petra, visit the 12th-century Crusader castle in Karak and another one built by Saladin’s generals in Ajloun.

Interact and learn the rugged lifestyle of the nomadic Beduin people of Wadi Rum. Here you can find a people who have lived in the desert sands for thousands of years, who appreciate the importance of maintaining natural balance and harmony and know every nook and cranny of the mountain paths. Remarkably hospitable and extremely eager to learn about foreign countries, they will treat you like one of their own.

Later on, laugh and drink and talk with the friendly Jordanians roaming around the cafes and bars of downtown Amman. Try out the water pipe “Argilla” which is a raging cultural trend in Jordan. As happens so regularly, cherish the (likely) chance to be invited into a Jordanian’s house, where they are likely to share with you famous Jordanian tea and the national dish Mansaf. Jordan’s culture is remarkable, and you will love learning not only about how your societies differ but also how much you have in common.

Jordan is a perfect microcosm of the Middle East, in no small part thanks due to its diversity. Travel to the villages and it will feel completely different than the cities. Each city, from Salt to Amman to Ajloun to Irbid also has its own unique feel and character. A day spent in Jerash will feel completely different than a weekend in Amman.

In Jordan, different identities are celebrated. Jordan’s culture and customs change as you shift from area to area. Travel to Wadi Rum and the Bedouins you meet will be living completely different lives than the urbanized residents of Jordan’s capital city of Amman. Meanwhile, villages scattered across Jordan keep strong to local traditions and customs that have been present throughout generations. This diversity distinguishes Jordan and keeps it fresh no matter where you go.

Who are Jordanians? Are you wondering are Jordanians Arabs, or are Jordanians Christians, or are they all Muslims? Well the honest truth is that you will meet people from countless religions and ethnicities. While most Jordanians are Jordan Arabs, you will find plenty of other ethnic minorities such as Kurds, Turkomans, Armenians, Circassians, and Chechens. And while most Jordanians are Muslims, there is a celebrated and active Christian community present throughout the major towns and cities. Come to Amman during Christmas time and you will find that it is oftentimes way more lively and festive than even in Europe and America!

2. Jordan is remarkably safe. It’s the safest country in the Middle East and much safer than even Western countries.

I have been living in Jordan for over a year. In all this time, I have always felt much safer here than in America. If I were to walk in Baltimore or Washington D.C or Philadelphia at night, I would always be keeping one eye behind my back. In Amman, meanwhile, I never even think twice about leaving and walking outside the house during the midnight hours. In many more “touristy” countries, it is highly recommended to always keep a hand on your wallet and an eye on your backpack (and who is behind it). While it certainly won’t hurt in Jordan, things like thefts and robbery just do not happen often.

Imagine you accidentally drop a coin or something in Jordan. In Western countries you might not stop to pick it up even if you realized you had dropped it. In Jordan, I have had people literally running up to me more times than I can count in order to inform me that I accidentally dropped a small coin or other insignificant valuable. It’s a general consensus by the expat community that Jordan (and particularly Amman) is much safer than most Western countries. Jordan safety is actually a big reason why expats choose to live here above other Arab countries. Let me share what my roommate shared with me:

“I think it’s really funny when people ask me is Jordan safe. When I first moved out here, people always in America always used to tell to “stay safe.” Hands down, America is way more dangerous. Jordan is completely safe. The number of times I’ve left my stuff in places (like cafes) and not had to worry about people stealing it, it’s a lot. I worried about that kind of stuff way more in college. Theft is not a thing I’ve had in my mind. Not that it doesn’t happen; it’s a big city. But it’s very rare. “

Of course there are issues. Woman will still face some cat-calls, and there is the occasional albeit rare theft and burglary. But these issues are not unique to Jordan’s travel safety and instead can be found in any country. And for those worried about violence in the Middle East, Jordan is entirely bereft of terrorism and extremism. You cannot find this same level of stability in any other country in the Middle East. Bar none.

3. Jordan is not overcrowded with tourists, meaning you will be able to experience the landscape in its true authentic form.

Almost everyone loves traveling. And no one loves traveling to a place so “touristy” that it loses any sense of authentic charm. If you choose to travel to certain countries like Morocco or Egypt, you will often visit areas that are entirely built around tourism and are artificially created to sustain the tourist industry. Some cities in Morocco, like Chefchauon, are incredibly unique but have the experience diminished by the constant and often-demanding vendors trying to sell you street-ware. It’s also harder to get immersed when you see another American or European every few seconds.

Outside of Petra, you will never find that anywhere in Jordan. It is very common that the vast majority of people you interact and see are the native Jordanians instead of other tourists like you. And while you will often find vendors in the cities welcoming you into their shops, they will almost never be demanding, insisting, and distracting like in many other Arab countries.

When you experience Jordan, you will be experiencing it as the natives experience it. You will be eating real Jordanian food, interacting with real people who probably rarely have the chance to talk with foreigners, and getting the full Jordanian experience. Of course, there are plenty of other foreigners that you will meet and bond with, but this does not detract from the ability to genuinely feel as if you’re experiencing the same world that these Jordanians live in.

Despite this, don’t worry about the language barrier. Curious about what languages do Jordanians speak? If you were wondering do Jordanians speak english, rest assured that most Jordanians speak a basic enough Engilsh to be able to communicate with you about the most important things. They know important keywords that you will use as you are traveling.

There are also healthy expat communities, mainly all concentrated around Amman. If you travel to the downtown, Jabal Amman, or Jabal Al-Weibdeh, you will be able to hang and meet plenty of other foreigners and expats who are traveling and living in Jordan. These areas tend to be populated with many modern cafes and open areas.

When reading this, keep in mind that there is no “one Jordan”. Rather, it is a unique melting pot of different ethnicities, religions, languages, and histories – mixing all of these together across the countless villages, cities, and towns of the country. Each area of Jordan has its own unique character and feel, and it’s very often that tourists have completely different experiences depending on the specific adventures that they choose to take.

If you are traveling to the Middle East, Jordan is the best country you could pick. It is the peak of what the Middle East has to offer. It combines ageless wonders, serene landscapes, exhilarating adventures, a caring and compassionate people, and countless memories that you will remember for decades to come. Perhaps the greatest part about Jordan is that your adventures don’t have to end there: Egypt, Israel/Palestine, Lebanon, and even Saudi Arabia are all nearby and easy to travel into. Many tourists I talk to all wish they had more time in Jordan traveling. There’s something that the country that deeply resonates with people, that calms and excites the soul, and that captures the imagination. Find out for yourself today.

What are you curious about in Jordan? Let us know!

isa
isa
2022-07-25
Expérience extraordinaire ! Des paysages grandioses un pays magnifique !Je garderais longtemps dans mon coeur la jordanie et les jordaniens qui sont des gens très sympathiques serviables et honnêtes ! Nous avons eu un guide Hussam au top et très sympa ! Et un chauffeur Naël très bon conducteur et sympathique ! La nourriture jordanienne est excellente ! Je vous conseille à tous ce pays !
Tim H
Tim H
2022-02-22
Outstanding service ensured a superb holiday We tailored an existing itinerary to perfectly suit our needs and the trip was an outstanding success. from the second we stepped off our international flight, we were looked after by Zaman Tours who were outstanding. I work in tourism in the UK (promoting African destinations) and have experienced excellent services in the past, but nothing any better than that offered by Zaman. Organisation was by Maiss, our driver/guide was Murad and our tourist guide was Magdi. All were magnificent. They should be very proud of the work they did and the way they represented not only Zaman, but Jordan as a whole. We left the country having made real friends. We cannot recommend Jordan and Zaman Tours enough to others. Jordan felt 100% safe as well as very friendly and welcoming
Julia V
Julia V
2022-01-04
So happy we booked this trip! This was our first time booking a private tour for so long (8 nights). I am really glad I found out about Zaman Tours, as they made this trip so smooth for us, so we would not have to worry about a single thing. One if the reasons why I chose them, was because they are a fully local company and have far more reasonable prices compared to the international tour companies working in the region. They have adapted the itinerary many times for us to fit our needs and responded quickly to all of our emails. A special thanks goes to our driver Morad. Not only did he show us his country, but we actually became friends during this trip :)
Alberto P
Alberto P
2021-12-09
Excellent tour! Me and my friend went to Jordan for 4 days, We saw Amman, Mont Nebo, Petra, Wadi Rum desert and Dead Sea. The Guide Mr. Hussein was amazing, his italian, kindness, were very appreciated. The hotel's 5 stars were excellent. We felt very safe and recommend touring Jordan with Zaman Tour!
Aloke Das
Aloke Das
2021-10-27
Day tour from Dead sea hotel to Wadi Mujib and Ma'in hot springs! We did the day tour to Wadi Mujib canyoning and Ma'in hot springs from Dead sea. Ali, our guide was very friendly and provided us with a lot of knowledge of local culture and traditions. He even gave us tips for restaurants to try a palestinian cuisine "Musakhan", and even offered to take us to his home to try the same. He ensured we got the best of Wadi Mujib and Ma'in hot springs and even found time for us to go souvenir shopping. Great service and friendly guide indeed!
Yossi
Yossi
2021-10-25
Excellent tour Our tour was 5 days and starts at Aqaba to Wadi Rum, Petra, Aman, Dead Sea, Wadi Mujib and finished at Aqaba. All was organized by Zaman Tours. The Guide Mr. Faisal was amazing, his knowledge, kindness, are very appreciated. The hotel's 5 stars were excellent. We felt very safe and recommend touring Jordan.
Wanderer51034973093
Wanderer51034973093
2021-09-26
We booked our trip to Jordan last minute and they organized all the itinerary for us and it was beyond perfect! This was the best experience we’ve ever had with a tour company. They booked everything and organized the whole itinerary for us. Visa, PCR test, entrance fees, hotel bookings, food, driver…I mean EVERYTHING! Our driver, his name is Issa, was the best driver. He took really good care of us, was prepared with water and juices and almost anything we needed. This was my second time in Jordan and was way better than my first experience. Definitely recommend!
AbdulAM
AbdulAM
2021-04-11
The Best Tour of My Life!!!!! I did a private tour with Zaman for all the highlights of Jordan, and I don't have enough words to thank them for such an amazing and memorable trip. The tour was so well organized and they made me feel I was traveling with a friend. The driver was so professional and friendly and during the entire trip I felt so safe. I feel so fortunate to experience Jordan with Zaman Tours, and If I am visiting Jordan again, I would definitely reach out to them again :-)
JP Vann
JP Vann
2021-03-31
The Best of Jordan with Zaman Tours We had little time to plan for our February 2020 Jordan trip, 2 weeks to be exact. We contacted Zaman Tours as they are accredited by the Jordan Tourism Board. Ms Eman quickly responded to my email and offered an 8-day private package that suited our budget. Ms Eman was patient in answering my queries and requests. She arranged our itinerary and our package included airport transfers, a good choice of 3 and 4-star accommodations, sightseeing and admission tickets, a modern Hyundai Sonata for our transportation, bottled water & wifi onboard and half board meals i the hotels. Local guide services in Jerash and Petra as well as Petra by Night tour were optional and can be bought either in advance or on-site. Airport pick up was a breeze. Zaman Tours representative, Mr Freddy, welcome and helped us through immigration and baggage claim. Our English speaking driver for our entire stay was Mr Shareef, an excellent and courteous driver. He was on time all the time. He did all the check-ins for us. During drives, he gave short insights about the place we would be visiting. He also gave recommendations on other activities you could do for extra cost like Turkish bath after a tiring walk in Petra, an additional jeep tour in Wadi Rum and a private cruise in Aqaba. Along the way, he would stop where we could eat lunch, drink coffee, use toilet or buy souvenirs. We appreciated his flexibility with time. We were able to adjust pick up times enabling us to stay a bit longer at our selected sites. We traveled to almost all the significant and picturesque places in the whole of Jordan. We went to Ajloun, Jerash, Amman Citadel, Mount Nebo, Madaba, Petra, Little Petra, Wadi Rum, Aqaba, Bethany and Dead Sea. We stayed 2 nights in Amman, 2 nights in Petra and a night each in Wadi Rum, Aqaba and Dead Sea. I had to say all the accommodations booked by Zaman Tours were centrally located and clean. We were also happy that we never had to worry where to have dinner every night as all dinners were included in the price that we paid. My recommendation to those who would like to see both the Treasury and the Monastery is to book 2 nights in Petra. My suggestion when buying souvenir items and Dead Sea products is to purchase them in Aqaba where the prices are a lot cheaper. And for the other activities, hotels offer more choices at friendly prices. Thank you to Zaman Tours... Ms Eman, Mr Freddy and Mr Shareef for a wonderful first trip to Jordan. Hope to be back someday... Shokran! See the best of Jordan with Zaman Tours!
german.z
german.z
2020-03-21
mar muerto mucho más que flotar llegas a un resort 5 estrellas con todas las comodidades y luego te sumergis en el agua flotando con el barro de las orillas. el cutis y la piel te quedan increíbles. luego disfruté completo en los hoteles....