5 Things to know while visiting Jordan

Jordan is a beautiful Middle-Eastern country that is still emerging as a tourist destination. The place is a paradise for those who like exploring places with natural beauty, rich culture and intriguing history. Jordan is an incredible destination with its majestic cities, ancient ruins, interesting museums, stunning beaches, vast seas, delicious cuisines, friendly locals and rocking nightlife. So, if you wish to explore the path less travelled, here are a few things to know while visiting Jordan.

1. It’s safe
Jordan is a safe and peaceful nation despite being located amidst some unsafe and unstable countries like Syria, Iraq and South Arabia. According to a recent Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report, Jordan ranked 38th out of 136 where safety is concerned. Once you enter Jordan, you’ll get to see an aspect of Middle-East that you wouldn’t have expected. The country is home to very friendly and hospitable people who warmly welcome tourists. In case you need any help, you can trust the police, security officers and military or you can approach your embassy in Jordan. Just like in any other country, it would be better to avoid conversations of political nature. Being aware of your surroundings is very necessary while travelling in an unfamiliar place. If you still feel hesitant in travelling alone, you can always book yourself in a small group tour and let other tourists and a local expert accompany you.

2. Dress appropriately

Jordan is the most liberal country in the Middle-East in terms of dress code. But it is still a Muslim dominated country with sensitive cultural sentiments. It is recommended to dress decently in order to show respect to Jordanian culture. Make sure to dress particularly modestly when visiting religious places. You may be denied entry if you are inappropriately dressed. Women should wear long, loose-fitting clothes that cover their arms, legs and chest while men should dress in pants and t-shirts or high-collared shirts. Comfort in the warm weather and protection from the sun are just the added bonuses of dressing accordingly.

3. Jordanian Culture and language
95 per cent of the population in Jordan comprises of Sunni Muslims while the other 5 per cent consists of other religions including one of the longest standing Christian communities of the World. Even though every individual has a different lifestyle, hospitality and friendliness is a common attribute in every household. Don’t mistrust their hospitality and try to meet them halfway to enjoy and explore the Jordanian culture completely. Although most of the locals speak English, Arabic is Jordan’s official language. Bedouins are the Arabic speaking nomads that live in the desert areas of Jordan such as Wadi Rum and Petra.

4. Food and drinks
There is a large variety of food available in Jordan at a very cheap price. Falafel, hummus, Turkish baklava, shish kebabs, shawarma, baba ganoush, tabbouleh, olives and bread are some of the very common dishes available almost everywhere in Jordan. Mansaf, the national dish of Jordan, is an extremely popular and delicious dish found here. Mansaf consists of a big helping of rice along with slow-cooked lamb and a fermented yoghurt sauce called Jameed. Although vegetarianism is accepted in the country, there are very few options available for vegetarians. Despite being a Muslim dominated country, alcohol is allowed and accepted here. Beer and wine are especially popular among the residing Christian community even though it is quite expensive. It would be better if you avoid drinking tap water and buy bottled water.

5. There is a lot to explore

Being a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world’s new seven wonders, Petra is one of the major places to visit in Jordan. Al-Khazneh is one of the most prominent highlights of Petra. The Monastery and High Altar of sacrifice are other remarkable tourist spots in Petra. Amman, the capital of Jordan, has a lot to offer to tourists such as Roman Amphitheatre, art galleries of Jabal Amman, Jordan Museum, shopping malls, awesome nightlife of Abdoun and Amman Citadel. Jerash, located at a distance of 50 km from Amman, has one of the most remarkable ruins of Roman Empire. Dead Sea, renowned as the lowest point on earth, is an incredible place to visit in Jordan. The Wadi Rum desert with its narrow valleys, sandstone arches, rocky cliffs, and natural caves is a sight worth visiting. For those who love adventure, don’t forget to visit Gulf of Aqaba to go snorkelling and diving amidst the stunning coral reefs of the Red Sea.

These are some of the important things to know about Jordan before visiting. Keep these in mind and pack your bags for an unforgettable vacation in the beautiful land of Jordan.