Everything you need to know before exploring deserts, ancient cities, and the Dead Sea
Jordan is one of the most åfascinating countries in the Middle East: safe, welcoming, historic, and incredibly diverse. From Petra to Wadi Rum and the Dead Sea, good preparation makes your trip smoother, more comfortable, and more respectful of local culture.
🛂 1. Travel Documents
📘 Passport valid at least 6 months beyond your return date
🛃 Jordan visa or visa on arrival (check nationality requirements)
🛬 Printed or digital flight tickets and boarding passes
🏨 Hotel, camp, or guesthouse confirmations
🧾 Travel itinerary (offline access recommended)
📄 Copies of passport and visa (cloud + printed)
📑 Travel insurance documents covering medical care and activities
🚗 International driver’s license if you plan to rent a car
📱 Emergency contact list stored offline
💰 2. Money & Currency
💵 Jordanian Dinar (JOD) as local currency
🏧 ATMs widely available in cities, limited in remote areas
💳 Credit cards accepted in hotels and larger restaurants
💸 Cash essential for markets, taxis, small cafés, and desert areas
📱 Offline currency converter saved on your phone
🤝 Tipping appreciated but not mandatory (small tips go a long way)
📱 Electronics & Tech
🔌 Plug type C, D, F or G (bring a universal adapter)
🔋 Power bank for long days and desert trips
📱 Local SIM card or eSIM for navigation and bookings
🗺️ Offline Google Maps or Maps.me downloaded
📸 Camera or phone with plenty of storage
🎧 Headphones for long drives or flights
🧳 Clothing & Packing
👕 Lightweight, breathable clothing for warm days
🧣 Modest outfits covering shoulders and knees for cities and religious sites
🥾 Comfortable walking shoes for Petra and ruins
👟 Sandals or water shoes for the Dead Sea
🧥 Light jacket for evenings and desert nights
🧢 Hat, sunglasses, and sun protection
🧴 Sunscreen with high SPF
🩱 Swimwear for the Dead Sea and hotels
🏜️ Health & Safety
💊 Personal medication with original packaging
🧴 Hand sanitizer and wet wipes
🩹 Small first-aid kit
💧 Reusable water bottle
🌡️ Heat awareness and hydration planning
🚑 Travel insurance with emergency evacuation
🧠 Respect local customs and dress codes
🚗 Transport & Getting Around
🚙 Rental car recommended for flexibility
🛣️ Google Maps works well but download offline maps
🚕 Taxis common in cities, agree on price if no meter
🚌 Buses exist but are slow and less flexible
🏜️ Guided tours recommended for Wadi Rum and remote areas
⛽ Fuel stations common on main roads, sparse in the desert
🌍 Must-Know Experiences
🏛️ Petra requires long walking days — start early
🏜️ Wadi Rum nights are cold, even in summer
🧂 Dead Sea water is extremely salty — do not splash
👟 Wear old shoes for salt crystals at the Dead Sea
🌅 Sunrise and sunset are magical in the desert
🕌 Culture & Etiquette
🙏 Respect prayer times and religious spaces
📸 Ask permission before photographing people
🤲 Right hand used for greetings and giving items
🧕 Modest dress appreciated, especially outside tourist areas
🍽️ Hospitality is important — refusing food politely is okay
