What do you know about Jordan? It is not only a tourist destination but also an enigma for travelers – crowds of tourists would like to explore this eastern kingdom. So maybe it’s time to change the usual European destinations for something new and more exclusive?
Jordan is washed by two seas – the Red Sea and the Dead Sea; it is surrounded by the Wadi Rum Desert and can attract thousands of tourists with the ancient city of Petra, the pilgrimage sites at the origins of three major religions, Roman cities, hot springs, and mud baths. This is just a small part of what the lucky ones who go to the resorts of Jordan this fall will discover.
1. Combine
Jordan is a country where you can combine a beach holiday with a variety of sightseeing tours. In this case, the best choice would be a mixed trip, when you can rest in Aqaba, the Red Sea, and then go to the Dead Sea. The seas are about 300 km from each other, and on the way, you will have an unforgettable night in the Wadi Rum Desert, in a hotel with a panoramic view of the dunes, which change color depending on the sunlight and the night sky with many bright stars.
2. Get Ready to Dive
The Red Sea is famous for its underwater world – in addition to the beautiful sea creatures, you can see the sunken cargo ship Cedar Pride, the barge with the crane Taiyong C486B, the ship Al Shorouk. However, if you’re not ready to dive that deep, check out the 25 water attractions at Saraya Aqaba Water Park, the largest water park on the Red Sea, or take a boat trip with underwater portholes.
3. Feel the Difference
The Red Sea for swimming, the Dead Sea for treatment. In Jordan, there are more than 100 clinics of different specialties, and most of them are located on the coast of the Dead Sea. Due to the high salt concentration, its water is similar to an oily substance and has medicinal properties. Staying in it for a long time is not allowed, and it is worth taking care of your eyes; after the beach, thoroughly rinse your body in the shower. There are showers on every shore, as well as bathtubs with the curative mud.
4. Choose a Hotel With Its Own Beach
The city beaches in Jordan are not very clean, they are also not free, and tourists should not wear open swimsuits. Therefore, it is ideal to stay in a hotel with a clean beach where you can relax freely in an open swimsuit without attracting the gaze of locals.
5. Give Preference to HB or All-Inclusive/Light Meals
Most restaurants in Jordan have separate men’s and women’s rooms, so your romantic dinners will most likely be at the hotel. It’s worth selecting either an all-inclusive or all-inclusive/light dining system.
6. Choose Your Dead Sea Hotel Carefully
The Dead Sea is a lake with hotels on its shores, and there is practically nothing else there. All amenities are gathered in the hotels themselves – medical centers, restaurants, spas, stores, entertainment, so decide in advance what you expect from rest and treatment at the Dead Sea and only then choose a hotel.
7. Buy Souvenirs in Aqaba
Aqaba is a tax-free economic zone, which makes all goods markedly cheaper than in other regions. Including alcohol, which is sold in limited quantities in Jordan.
8. Haggle, But Intelligently
Eastern tradition of haggling also exists in Jordan, but not as fierce as, for example, in Egypt, and in general, the local service is not as aggressive as that of neighbors on the opposite shore of the Red Sea. Jordanians do not shout and do not wave their hands. They prefer to haggle calmly, so behave the same way, and you will get a discount. By the way, in Jordan, in addition to the local market, you can haggle in stores with expensive items such as jewelry. But of course, they won’t discount the price of groceries unless you want to buy a whole lamb or camel.
9. Be Prepared for Inspections
When you enter the hotel, a security guard may ask you to open your bag, and in the city, patrol officers may ask for your documents. Don’t take it personally; these are standard security measures – Jordan is considered one of the safest countries in the Middle East, and all these procedures are done for your safety.
10. Take Warm Clothes
On vacation, you will need not only sundresses and summer pants but also a pair of warm cardigans. This is due to the fact that the sun goes down very fast and the temperature drops quickly, so the evening can be chilly. Especially warm clothes come in handy during an excursion with overnight stays in the desert or in Petra – where the temperature drops to +10 degrees Celsius.
11. Ask Before Taking Photos
It is forbidden to photograph police officers and strategic assets in Jordan. You can also take pics of locals only with their consent.
