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Official Name: The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
North American visitors (U.S., Canada, & Mexico) with valid passports may obtain a visa at the Arava (southern) crossing (presently free of charge), the Sheikh Hussein (northern) crossing or at Queen Alia International Airport if arriving by flight. In all instances, copy of passport must have been submitted to our office in order to facilitate the issuance process at the border. Those crossing at the Allenby/King Hussein Bridge (near Jerusalem) can have special permits issued which will be processed by IsramWorld only if the request was made 3 weeks in advance of arrival and there are 2 persons minimum traveling together and staying no less than 2 nights in Jordan. Otherwise, each traveler must obtain their visa from the Jordan Embassy in Washington DC, or at any of the Consular Offices in the United States. Visas are valid for two weeks, but can be extended at any police station. Travelers must make sure their passports are valid for at least 6 more months from the day of departure. Citizens of other nations should check with the nearest Jordanian Consulate or Embassy. If you are entering Jordan via the Allenby/King Hussein Bridge, near Jerusalem and you are traveling alone and/or staying less than 2 nights in Jordan, be sure to obtain your visa in advance of your arrival in Jordan from the Jordanian consulate in New York or the Jordanian Embassy in Washington, D.C. Isram will not assume responsibility for passengers not in possession of proper documentation (passports-visas). Any expenses for rerouting or for cancellation of the Jordan program will be borne by the traveler in such cases. You may bring in almost anything you need for personal use. Limited items are: 44 pints cologne or perfume, one-fifth liquor, one-fifth wine, 250 cigarettes and gifts up to $125 in value. Upon return to the U.S., each person may bring in up to $400 worth of items, duty free. Note: Video cameras and laptop computers must be declared upon entry. The local currency is the Jordanian Dinar (symbol: JD), which is often called "JD". The dinar is divided into 100 piasters (pronounced "peeaster") or 1000 fils ("fills"). There are 5, 10, 20, and 50 JD notes commonly used, and you will usually se prices written as 4.750, that is 4 JD and 750 fils. Coins come in the following denominations: 5, 10, 25, 50 and 100 piasters; and in 5 and 10 fils. It is useful to carry some coins and low denominations (1 JD notes). Currency can be exchanged at major banks and at most hotels. Street money-changers are best avoided. The Jordanian Central Bank sets exchange rates daily. The value of the Dinar fluctuates slightly in line with other international currencies, but in recent years has maintained an average of approximately $1.40 to a Dinar. 1 Jordanian Dinar = 1.40 US Dollar
Be sure to bring a supply of $1 bills and $5 bills, as they will come in handy during your visit. (See "Tipping Section") Traveler's checks can be converted at all banks and money changing offices throughout the country. All major credit cards are accepted although some, not all, stores may charge you a 3-5% service fee if paying for your shopping with a credit card. ATM machines are available in Amman should you need to use them. Major credit cards are accepted at major hotels. 220 volts, 50 cycles AC standard throughout the country. Most American appliances will require transformers.
Direct-dial international telephone, fax and telex service is available throughout Jordan internationally. Cellular telephones from Israel are not permitted. Arabic and English newspapers, as well as foreign publications are also available. Postage stamps can be purchased at hotels and post offices. At present, please note that AT&T, MCI and Sprint do not have a USA Direct service from Jordan. Telephone and fax charges are high when placed from hotels - please advise family and business associates to call you instead. Internet service is readily available at hotel business centers in case you wish to communicate by e-mail, the least expensive method. Jordan is GMT +2, or 7 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time in the U.S. There is no daylight savings time in Jordan. Friday is the official weekly day of rest, though many Christian shopkeepers close on Sunday instead. Several national holidays are observed on the same day every year:
Jordanian handicrafts represent a tradition of skilled workmanship and folk art that dates back to many thousands of years. The most common Jordanian crafts items include Madaba rugs, carved olive wood, mother of pearl, embroidery, pottery, jewelry, carved stone animals, Bedouin jewelry and artifacts.
We suggest that you do not photograph indiscriminately. Residents may object to have their pictures taken, so please ask permission first. Use discretion especially if taking photos of women. Military installations and bridges should not be photographed. Food: Eating well and heartily is part of the Jordanian experience. There are many fine restaurants that offer a wide selection of authentic Arab food at reasonable prices. Hotels all offer a mixed menu of Arab and Continental cuisine. Beer & Wine: Locally produced beer, wine and spirits are available throughout the country, as well as imported drinks. The local drink is arak, an anis-flavored liqueur that is mixed with water and ice. (During the holiday of Ramadan, the Islamic religion forbids the drinking of alcoholic beverages. Therefore, during this period, you may find that alcohol is not served at some restaurants and hotels.) Water: Water is "officially" potable, but we suggest that you use bottled water for drinking and teeth brushing. April - October: Amman and Petra enjoy sunny, cloudless weather with warm days and cool evenings. Spring and summer temperatures range between 69-90° Fahrenheit in Amman and Petra, and between 85-105° Fahrenheit (with little humidity) in Aqaba and the Wadi Rum area. November - March: Winters can be chilly in Jordan, with rain (and possible snow). Temperatures range between 32-60° Fahrenheit. However, more often than not, visitors are pleasantly surprised by the sunshiny days allowing for warmer temperatures even in the winter. Aqaba is a winter resort, with temperatures ranging between 60-75° Fahrenheit.
The dress code in Jordan is informal. No need to bring "dressy" clothes for men or women. While on tour, dress should be somewhat conservative. Dining in the evening at some of the fine restaurants at your hotel or in the city will require a more elegant dress code. What to Pack: It is important that you pack "light" and be aware that, at border crossing points, there are limited porterage services. (Think about purchasing wheels or luggage on wheels -- it will be very helpful.) If you are returning to the same hotel in Israel where you stayed before traveling to Jordan, we suggest for your comfort and convenience that you store your excess luggage at that hotel and pack only those items that you will require during your visit to Jordan. April to October: Very light and comfortable clothing, preferably cotton for day wear. In the mountains and the desert a sweater is quite useful in the evening, even in the middle of summer. November to March: Coats, lined raincoats, sweaters, jackets, hats and gloves. The secret to dressing this time of the year is to "layer" and "peel" as the weather changes. A good pair of walking shoes is essential for all seasons. Don't Forget to Pack:
The following tips are recommended. Private Car Passengers (Per Person):
All Travelers:
From Israel: If you have arranged for a transfer from Israel to any of the border crossings into Jordan, your Israeli driver's services end upon arrival at the border. You will be required to pay an Exit Fee for exiting Israel and present your permit or visa to the authorities. (See "Border Crossing Fees" Section.) There is a shuttle bus for a nominal amount that will transport you/your luggage through "no man's land" to the Jordanian entry point (at the Arava crossing, you will cross by foot as it is just steps away). At the Jordan entry point, our representative will meet you and assist you with passport, visa, and custom formalities. Exiting Jordan for entering to Israel will follow procedures similar to the above. Please be patient in understanding that crossing procedures often change. The above is in effect at time of publication.
APPROXIMATE BORDER CROSSING FEES (per person, to be paid locally) Exiting Israel: Allenby (King Hussein) Bridge - $45 Visas/permits must be prearranged Eilat (Arava) - $ 60 (includes assistance fees) Visas can be secured locally at Border crossing Sheikh Hussein (northern) border: $25 Exiting Jordan: All borders: $7.50 Entering/Exiting Amman Airport: When arriving in Jordan at Queen Alia International Airport, U.S. passport holders can obtain a visa upon arrival. After clearing customs and claiming your baggage, exit the area and meet your representative (for those who have arranged for a transfer). Exiting Amman Airport follows the same procedures as all major international airports. You will be required to pay an Exit Tax approx 10JD (Approx US $15) PLEASE NOTE: All crossing/exit fees quoted above are approximate and are subject to change. They are presented here only as a general point of reference which we hope will be helpful. Visa fees are separate and will be paid locally with the exception of the Allenby Bridge which must be prepaid ($40 at time of publication) when secured by Isram (Please refer to visa section for conditions of issuing visas at the Allenby Bridge).
Your entrance fees to the site is included in your cost and will be paid for by your driver. This includes the services of a local licensed English-speaking guide. (For parties of 4 and up, your private guide will lead you throughout Petra) At time of printing, there are 3 ways to enter Petra: By horse (to/from the Siq only), by horse drawn carriage taking you through the Siq as well, or by foot. ENTRY BY HORSE: There is a "horse station" near the entry gate which has a raised platform for easy mounting of your horse. There is no need to be concerned about the horse ride as these are docile horses, led slowly by a Bedouin. The horse ride takes you only from the entry point to the beginning of the Siq, which takes approximately 10 minutes. At this point, you dismount and then walk the rest of the way through the Siq to the hidden City of Petra. Upon completion of your tour, you can take another horse from the end of the Siq to the entry point. Tipping to the horse-boy is expected at the completion of each horse-ride. We recommend a tip of $3 - $5.00 for the ride. Remember, tip only at the completion of each of the rides. Don't be shy to ask your horse-boy to photograph you on your horse; they can be very friendly. ENTRY BY FOOT: If you choose to walk, please be advised that the walk takes approximately 10 minutes from the entry gate to the Siq; 30 minutes through the Siq to the Treasury. Beyond the Treasury, your walking tour will continue with the guide. Total walking time for the entire visit is estimated at 2 hours to 2 and a half hours. HORSE-DRAWN CARRIAGES: While the horse-drawn carriages are convenient for those who find it difficult to do a great deal of walking, it is our recommendation that they not be taken as the ride is often hurried and very bumpy making it more uncomfortable than the walk. If you find however that this is your preferred means of entering Petra, please have your guide impress upon the carriage driver that it is mandatory that he drive slowly so that you are not uncomfortable during the ride. Price for a carriage is approximately $20-30 per person (fluctuates quite a bit) and can be arranged locally. You will find that Petra is truly a breathtaking discovery and your experience will undoubtedly outshine any minor inconvenience. We wish you a most enjoyable trip !!!
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