More. The average American is terrified at the mere mention of the Middle East and can’t fathom why anyone would want to leave America. By Lina Stock on November 1, 2019 • Last updated January 2, 2021 • 53 CommentsThis post may contain affiliate links. I hope you don’t let it ruin your time in Jordan, it’s a fantastic country with lots to offer. Jordan is an incredibly progressive place and while they still hold onto their cultural roots, they have moved forward with great care for the stability of their country and its people. And in major cities such as Amman and Aqaba you can see it publicly in certain areas. They will have a fabulous time there and learn so much along the way. Thanks for this! It’s ridiculous if you want my honest opinion. We’ve visited nearly 100 countries on all 7 continents. Thanks for this amazing article which described Jordan at it true form ! Especially with the constant news of bombings, terrorist attacks and other events related to ISIL in this region. Just about 10 KM of the main road near the bottom end of the Dead Sea. TRAVEL GEAR & PACKING Never accept lifts from strangers and always sit on the back seat of a cab. Jordan holidays With tourism to the Middle East in decline, visiting Jordan’s mesmerising sights is now a solitary experience. Disclosure: In accordance with FTC guidelines, we disclose that we may be compensated if consumers choose to utilize links located throughout the content on this site. To find out, we hitchhiked from the border of Syria to the Red Sea. You should also check out our tips for finding cheap accommodation. With the unrest in Iran/Iraq, wondering is it safe to go right now or should I postpone the trip? Lina, Very useful blog on visiting Jordan. Just paying attention to those things will save you a lot of hassle during your travels. Jordanians are generally happy and proud of their country and kingdom. Great read Lina! Answer 1 of 10: With the incidents in Karak, questions have risen about Jordan's safety. We pulled up and 2 men appeared from the “victim” car (they only spoke Arabic apparently) blabbering about calling the Police (who they claim is off work) and another guy mysteriously appeared to “mitigate” in some simple English. We use Skyscanner to compare prices and book flights. Stay safe everywhere you go: 25 Essential Safety Tips for Travel. Thanks and well done. I hope more people will take you advice and visit Jordan whether independently or on an organized tour this year! Because we had been traveling through Africa for 5 months before we arrived in Jordan and it sounded good! This was in Karak. ..enjoyed your article. However, this article tells a lot about the Jordanian people, and why Jordan has been able to remain stable, with a few anomalous terrorist incidents. Leaving for my 3rd trip to Israel next week, and wanted to add a day trip to Petra. It seems hard to believe until you actually give it a try. I have now lived and worked here for over three years I Lived in Amman for most of this time but have now moved to Aqaba. I have to say in retrospect, I felt safer in Jordan then I have in some other countries and even some US cities. Another amazing 8 day adventure in a small group setting is Explore Jordan with National Geographic Journeys thru G Adventures. However, the highest risk in Jordan isn’t a crime – it’s the terrorism. But when we were on the way to the supermarket, a car drove into our lane from the front out of nowhere, very very close to us, on a totally empty street in Amman and forced us to move slightly to the right. Do your part by researching the country and showing some respect during your time visiting the country. There is a big difference in that information. These media practices make people forget that there are people living in these countries, going about their lives just like you and me. All U.S. government personnel on official travel must receive prior permission to visit any area within 10 km of the Jordan-Syria border, except the tourist site of Umm Qais or the city of Irbid. I will add that safety here is a very real concern, both for locals and tourists. That said, following these simple tips will ensure you have a great time and feel comfortable during your trip. All we can do is share our positive experiences and hope people wise up a little. It is not a big country by any standard and you can travel from Amman to Aqaba in 4 hours. Generally, the only things to worry about when in Jordan are pickpocketing and bag snatching (which mostly happens in the tourist-frequented part of Amman), and occasionally, sexual harassment or assault if you are a woman, mostly. It is safer than you think While the Middle East remains a place of much documented tensions, and few … We’ve met people that would never dream of visiting the Middle East right now, no matter what it had to offer, and who think we are absolutely off our rockers for having done so. MORE SO EXPENSIVE CONTENT: Why Supreme Is So Expensive | So Expensive If you are still reading this post, you must be asking yourself Is Jordan Safe? Answer 1 of 10: With the incidents in Karak, questions have risen about Jordan's safety. So let’s talk about it. They took whatever we had, got into their car real quickly and drove off quickly too. Hi Carol, Thank you for the comment. After placing our order we both looked at each other and said, ‘I can’t believe we are in Jordan.’ Just bluntly to each other, then both looked out the window in amazement. I’m going to continue my research and keep the flight deal alerts coming. It is a very pleasent country, and it deserves to be visited. Couldn’t agree with you more when you said “The mainstream news media does the World a great disservice with its sensationalism in the news headlines.”. I just see it as there is trouble in all countries world wide. We loved Jordan and can’t wait to return to visit the places we missed and spend more time. Yes, we loved Jordan and will definitely plan a return visit. Besides that I always ALWAYS have felt safe in Jordan, everywhere any inch of the country. For people that are doing more research and are actually out exploring the World, we see things at face value. Your email address will not be published. Really interesting post, thanks for writing it! However, I can tell you that Jordan is a safe country and a safe place to travel to. You should visit Jordan because it is awesome and has a lot to offer travelers. contestants. In fact, it is one of the safest countries to visit in the region, even if you’re traveling around Jordan with kids. Curious locals waved at us and started random conversations with us. Grill Room. Despite the strife in the Middle East, Jordan kept itself out of local area conflicts in recent decades. You are right and so many people told us that same thing while we were there. There is security everywhere, they have a large, powerful, alert army and there have been no attacks in Jordan. We went to cities off the tourist grid, to see how they would react to foreigners. Jordan as a whole is working hard to put the positive image of their country forward, and it deserves to have tourism. There’s also known bars where gays meet such as Books@Cafe at the 1st circle in Amman. They stretch from Um-Qais to Aqaba, and are the perfect way to experience Jordan in all it’s facets. If you’re potentially unsure about what you’d like to see in a predominantly Muslim nation, remember Jordan has … Many people make decisions based solely on the information they are spoon fed in media, without digging deeper into the issues or talking to people that have actually experienced it for themselves. The brand has a rich history, and its Air Jordan 1 is widely credited as the catalyst for sneaker-culture. I have visited Jordan twice, and I will again! Also, be particularly careful when using ATMs. I for one can sleep easy at night. Absolutely. Thank you! Fantastic to hear that you found our information useful! Rahm explains why he withdrew from AmEx. Just people like you, working for a living, working so their kids can have a better life and working so they can live their dreams. ... is more so about them being neighboring countries. The men dressed sharply and treated the women they came in contact with respectfully. It is very supportive and useful post. Apart from the Dead Sea, that you should definitely visit and float on the densely concentrated salt waves, the biggest reason to visit Jordan is the Archaeological Ruins at Petra: they are a must-see for anyone visiting Jordan. You’ll LOVE Petra. just dress respectfully. Thank you for posting this article! We know a lot of you are wondering what it was like to travel in this part of the World and whether your plans should involve a visit in the future. As a female traveling alone in this country, I expected to feel a bit uneasy at some point or another, it’s just a sad reality of being seen as a “vulnerable” tourist, and as a female, but I never once had a moment of doubt in Jordan.