Quick Guide to 8 Days in Jordan During Ramadan
Jordan during Ramadan post-Covid is a unique experience. The streets in the middle of the day are slow but as night hits, you can see the country come alive. I read up on visiting Jordan during Ramadan but it was far different from what I had experienced. I am here to share what I went through during this time that I wish I had known before I arrived.
Table of Contents
Must Know Before You GoWhen to Visit: Spring (March to May) or autumn (September to November) are the best times to visit due to mild weather. You can expect scorching weather during the summer and bitterly cold weather in the winter. Visas: Visas upon arrival are required for all US citizens. More information is in the section below. Language: Arabic. Few people speak English here. Currency: Jordanian Dinar (JOD). This is the currency exchange as of June 2023:
Credit Card vs. Cash: Cash is widely used so make sure that you take out enough cash for your trip. ATMs are located throughout the country. US dollars (USD) can also be used in some areas. ATMs: ATMs are located throughout the country. Most ATMs will have an English viewing option unless you are away from the touristy area at a random ATM. I recommend using the ATMs inside banks to ensure you are not scammed. Tipping: Tipping is not mandatory but a customary practice. 10% for restaurants or tours is the standard tipping rate. UNESCO World Heritage Site: As-Salt, Bethany Beyond the Jordan baptism site, Petra, Quseir Amra, Um er-Rasas, Wadi Rum Protected Area Nature Reserve: Dana Nature, Wadi Rum, Mujib, Azraq Wetlands, Shaumari, Ajloun |
Visa:
As of April 2023, the visa costs 40 JD ($56.50 USD) for a single entry, 60 JD ($85 USD) for two entries, and 120 JD ($170 USD) for a multiple entry visa. Credit/Debit cards are acceptable. ATMs are also accessible before immigration. To save the headache of paying for your visa at immigration, I recommend purchasing the Jordan Pass.
There are two steps to getting through immigration. The first line, you must pay for the visa. If you have the Jordan pass, you just show them the QR code of the pass. They will waive your fee and print out your receipt. You then proceed to the second line.
In the second line, the officer will take your receipt and may ask you immigration questions, like “What is the purpose of your visit?”. If the officer grants your visit, your passport will be stamped and you can enter the country.
What is the Jordan Pass?:
The Jordan Pass is the ultimate sightseeing pass that allows travelers to visit famous attractions for free upon paying for the all-in-one pass. The pass includes free entry to Petra, Wadi Rum, and Jerash, plus 40+ other sites, and even waives the entry visa fee if the Jordan Pass was purchased prior to arrival with a minimal stay of three nights (4 days) in Jordan. I purchased the Jordan Wanderer for 70JDs ($99 USD). Considering that the single visa entry is 60JDs, you will get a lot from this pass. A single ticket to Petra for one night in Jordan is 50JD ($70 USD) and Wadi Rum is 5JD ($7USD). The highest level of Jordan Pass is the Jordan Expert for 80JDs ($113 USD). This pass is superior as it allows 3 consecutive visits to Petra.
Getting Around:
Jordan is a hilly country filled with a variety of landscapes. While there are numerous tours to choose from and an abundance of taxi drivers outside hotels and famous attractions, I recommend hiring a private driver to take you wherever you want to go. The country is extremely hilly and attractions are not in close proximity to one other. Walking around Jordan is challenging and by hiring a private driver, you will have someone waiting for you to take you to your next destination. Hiring a private driver can be anywhere from 150 to 200 per person/per day including hotels or $100 for transportation only. I typically find my drivers reading forums but due to the last-minute getaway, I had to hire a local travel coordinator to plan and organize my trip. I would not recommend hiring a travel coordinator because I was not in control of my own trip and it cost way more than finding a driver on your own.
Iftar:
During Ramadan, Muslims fast from dawn to dusk. In Jordan in April, it was around 4am to 7pm. When the fast ends, you can hear prayers over the intercom that is blasted throughout the country. The meal at this time is called Iftar. Many women often spend hours cooking in the kitchen for their families prior to Iftar. If you are able to enjoy an Iftar meal with locals, I say take it. I was able to break fast with a local family while in Jordan. Many other locals also rush to break fast at restaurants and cafes. During this time, it is encouraged that tourists do not dine at restaurants to allow locals to sate their appetite.
Hotels:
There are a lot of cheap and affordable hotel options located throughout Jordan. Most of the hotels I stayed at were about $45 a night and it was located in the middle of all the action. The most expensive accommodation was located in Petra and Wadi Rum. I stayed at the Silk Road Hotel in Petra for about $100 a night. We initially were supposed to stay at the Seven Wonders Luxury Camp in Little Petra but there was an issue with our booking. When in Jordan, it is a must to stay in a dome hotel. The best place to enjoy a dome hotel is in Wadi Rum. There are so many beautiful domes there. Our tour coordinator booked us a mediocre hotel so I recommend looking through photographs to find what best works for you. We did not like any of the rooms we stayed at but thankful that they were in the middle of everything.
Itinerary:
| Day | Date | Location | Hotel | To Do | To Eat |
|
1 |
Amman |
In Amman: Sydney Hotel Amman → Sha’aban 9 St, Amman, Jordan
Clean hostel with private rooms. Free breakfast. |
1. Arrive in Amman |
Dinner in Amman: Zorba Touristic Restaurant → Complex No 37, Basman St 37, Amman, Jordan Lebanese food and hookah bar. Mediocre food but serves beer and wine during Ramadan.
|
|
| 2 |
Northern Jordan |
In Northern Jordan: Stayed with family
|
1. Jerash Roman Archeological Site 2. Aijoun Castle 3. Drive to Northern Jordan 4. Visit the Israel, Jordan, and Palestine border 5. Swimming Pool Sammara (hot spring) 6. Archeological site of Umm Qais 7. Iftar with host |
Breakfast: Sydney Hotel
Lunch by Aijoun Castle: Gilead Market → 212 Castle Road, Ajloun, Jordan
Dinner in Northern Jordan: Host Family
|
|
| 3 | Apr 11, 2023 |
Dead Sea |
In Madaba: Moab Hotel → King Talat St., 25, Jordan
No elevators. Free breakfast. |
1. Umm Qais hiking trail 2. Dead Sea 3. Mosaic Map Church
|
Lunch: Buffet at Grand East Hotel → Dead Sea, Jordan Valley Hwy, Jordan Since it was Ramadan, restaurants were not open. We spent most lunches at buffets in hotels. Variety of options from Western food to local cuisine. Dinner in Madaba: Haret Jdoudna → K. Talal St., Madaba, Jordan Serves beer and wine during Ramadan.
|
| 4 | Apr 12, 2023 |
Road to Petra |
In Petra: Silk Road Hotel → Tourism Street, Wadi Moussa, Wadi Musa, Jordan
A five-minute walk to the Entrance of Petra |
1. King Road 2. Al-Karak Castle 3. Shobak Castle 4. Petra Market |
Breakfast: Moab Hotel Lunch: The Jerusalem Resthouse
Dinner in Petra: Pizza House → Tourism Street, Petra – Wadi Musa 71810 Jordan Quick food.
|
| 5 | Apr 13, 2023 |
→ Tourism Street, Wadi Moussa, Wadi Musa, Jordan
Offers different room options including tents and dome rooms. |
1. Petra 2. Wadi Rum 3. RumSky Stargazing Experience |
Breakfast in Petra: Nab Restaurant
Lunch: Alqantarah Restaurant
Dinner in Wadi Rum: Sharah Luxury Camp
|
|
| 6 | Apr 14, 2023 |
As Salt |
→ 77, Alkhader St 75, As-Salt, Jordan
|
1. Jeep ride in Wadi Rum
2. As Salt City 3. St. George Cathedral |
Breakfast: Sharah Luxury Camp Lunch: Petra Tourist Complex
Dinner in Salt: Algherbal Restaurant Great decor but the food is a bit salty. |
| 7-8 | Apr 15-16, 2023 |
Amman |
In Amman: Twins Downtown Hotel → King Talat St., 25, Jordan
The room was spacious but my least favorite hotel. There are no separators between the shower and the toilet so the entire bathroom floods after a shower. Had to wear shower slippers every time we walked inside the bathroom. |
1. Roman Amphitheater 2. AlPasha Turkish Baths and Spa 3. King Abdullah I Mosque 4. Citadel of Amman 5. Explore downtown Amman
|
Lunch in Amman: Starbucks → Adel Jumean Street, Madaba 17110 Jordan
Dinner in Amman: Nirvana → Adel Jumean Street, Madaba 17110 Jordan Beautiful decor, tailored to tourists, serves non-Mediterranean food Dinner in Amman: Sufra → Adel Jumean Street, Madaba 17110 Jordan Best meal in Jordan during the trip.
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Expenses for 8 Days:
| Type | Cost (JOD) | Cost (USD) |
| Transportation/Private Driver | 2285 | $3222.85 |
| Guide Tip | $75.00 | |
| Jordan Pass | 140 | $197.46 |
| Food | 260 | $366.71 |
| Total | 3862.02 | |
| Per Person | $1931.01 |