How to Stay Safe in Jordan
1. Introduction
Jordan is one of the Middle East’s most welcoming and tourist-friendly countries, offering world-class heritage sites amid a relatively stable political environment. The rose-red rock city of Petra (one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World), the martian landscape of Wadi Rum, the ancient Roman city of Jerash, the baptism site of Jesus at Bethany Beyond the Jordan, the Dead Sea (the lowest point on Earth shared with Israel), and the Red Sea resort of Aqaba — Jordan packs extraordinary experiences into a compact, accessible country.
Jordan borders Syria (north), Iraq (northeast), Saudi Arabia (east and south), Israel and the Palestinian West Bank (west). The capital is Amman. The currency is the Jordanian Dinar (JOD — one of the highest-valued currencies in the world, pegged to USD: 1 JOD = approx. USD 1.41). The population is approximately 10 million (including a significant refugee population from Syria, Iraq, and Palestine).
| TIP — Overall Safety: Jordan is considered one of the safer countries in the Middle East for tourists. Crime against tourists is low. The main security concerns are related to regional spillover from neighbouring countries and occasional tribal tensions. |
2. Security Landscape
2.1 Regional Context
Jordan’s borders with Syria and Iraq are affected by the broader regional instability. The Syrian border has been the site of smuggling operations and occasional incidents. The northern and eastern border areas (Zarqa, Mafraq, Azraq areas near Syrian and Iraqi borders) require monitoring. Jordan has maintained generally good relations across political divides and has been spared the worst of regional violence, though it absorbs significant numbers of refugees (over 1.3 million registered Syrian refugees).
| WARNING — Border Areas: Avoid the Syrian border regions (Mafraq Governorate, Ramtha, Jabir border crossing area) and remote areas near the Iraqi border. These areas have seen smuggling activity and spillover incidents. They are also not tourist destinations. |
2.2 Terrorism
Jordan has been the target of terrorist attacks, including the 2005 Amman hotel bombings (60 dead, Al-Qaeda) and the 2016 Karak attack. The Jordanian General Intelligence Directorate (GID) is considered one of the region’s most effective counter-terrorism agencies, and significant attacks have been rare since 2016. The threat from ISIS and Al-Qaeda remains, particularly in areas near the Syrian and Iraqi borders.
2.3 Crime
Overall crime rates are relatively low. Petty theft, pickpocketing in crowded markets (Amman’s downtown souqs, Petra visitor area), and occasional vehicle break-ins occur. Sexual harassment of women travellers is reported, particularly in less tourist-frequented areas. Use reputable taxis and avoid isolated areas at night.
3. Safe & Unsafe Areas
| TIP — Safe for Tourists: Amman (Jabal Amman, Rainbow Street, Abdali area), Petra, Aqaba, Wadi Rum, Jerash, Madaba, the King’s Highway route, Dead Sea resort areas — all generally safe and frequently visited by tourists. |
| WARNING — Exercise Caution: Northern border area with Syria (Ramtha, Mafraq). Eastern desert border with Iraq. Palestinian refugee camps (Zaatari, Azraq) — not tourist destinations and access is restricted. |
4. Transportation
Queen Alia International Airport (AMM) is Jordan’s main hub. Taxis from the airport to Amman should cost JOD 20-25 — use official metered taxis. Grab and Uber operate in Amman. Car rental is practical for exploring the King’s Highway and Wadi Rum independently — roads are good quality. JETT buses connect Amman to Petra (4 hours), Aqaba, and the Dead Sea. Local buses and service taxis connect cities at lower cost.
| TIP — Jordan Pass: Consider the Jordan Pass (purchased online before arrival) which includes the Jordan visa fee plus entry to Petra and 40+ other sites. It saves significant money for most itineraries. petra.gov.jo |
5. Health & Medical
Medical facilities in Amman are good for the region (Jordan Hospital, Al-Khalidi Hospital, Arab Medical Centre). Aqaba has decent facilities. Remote areas (Wadi Rum, Wadi Mujib) are far from medical care — carry a comprehensive first aid kit for outdoor activities. Medical evacuation insurance is recommended.
Jordan is a hot, dry country. The Jordan Valley, Dead Sea, and Wadi Rum reach extreme temperatures (45°C+) in summer (June-August). Dehydration is the most common tourist health risk — carry at least 2-3 litres of water when visiting outdoor sites. Sunscreen is essential. Traveller’s diarrhoea is less common than in South Asia but still occurs — use bottled water.
6. Common Scams & Threats
| Scam Name | How It Works | How to Avoid It |
| Petra Extra Fees | Unofficial guides and camel/horse operators at Petra charge inconsistent prices. Some charge for ‘obligatory’ horse rides to the entrance (these are optional). | The horse ride from the visitor centre to the Siq entrance is technically included in your entry fee, though a tip is customary. Negotiate all extra services before accepting them. |
| Wadi Rum Fake Camps | Some camps advertised online do not match what is delivered — basic facilities marketed as luxury. | Book Wadi Rum camps through reputable operators with verified reviews. The Jordan Tourism Board lists licensed operators. |
| Taxi Overcharging | Taxis from Queen Alia Airport or central Amman quote inflated rates to tourists. | Use Grab or Careem apps in Amman. For airport taxis, use the official prepaid taxi service inside the terminal. |
| Dead Sea Sunscreen Scam | Vendors near Dead Sea public beaches sell very expensive sunscreen claiming it is specialised. | Bring your own high-SPF sunscreen from home or purchase in Amman supermarkets before visiting. |
| Souvenir Overpricing | Vendors near Petra, Jerash, and Amman souqs quote tourist prices 3-5x above normal. | Bargain confidently. Research fair prices online. Walk away if the price is unreasonable. |
| Friendly Invitation Scams | Overly friendly shop owners offer tea and conversation then pressure visitors into purchases. | Accepting tea is a cultural tradition and not an obligation to buy. Be firm but polite. |
| Fake Bedouin Experiences | Non-Bedouin operators present packaged ‘Bedouin experiences’ in Wadi Rum that are commercial rather than authentic. | Book through Jordan Tourism Board-registered Bedouin-owned camps in Wadi Rum for genuine experiences. |
| Counterfeit Jordanian Crafts | Mass-produced items from China sold as authentic Jordanian handicrafts. | Purchase crafts from Jordan River Foundation shops or reputable artisan shops in Amman’s galleries. |
7. Legal & Cultural Considerations
Jordan is a Sunni Muslim-majority constitutional monarchy. Islamic customs are widely observed but the country is moderate and tolerant. Dress modestly outside resort areas — knees and shoulders covered in cities, towns, and at sites like Petra. Bikinis are appropriate at Dead Sea resorts and Aqaba beaches. Alcohol is legal and available at hotels and restaurants in tourist areas. During Ramadan, respect fasting customs.
LGBTQ+ relationships are not explicitly criminalised in Jordan (unlike some neighbouring countries) but public displays of affection between same-sex couples attract significant social disapproval and possible police attention. Discretion is essential.
| WARNING — Photography: Ask permission before photographing Jordanian people, particularly women and Bedouin. Do not photograph military installations, airports, government buildings, or checkpoints. Photography at the Dead Sea and Wadi Rum is unrestricted. |
8. Emergency Contacts
| Service | Number / Details |
| Police Emergency | 911 |
| Ambulance | 911 / 193 |
| Fire Service | 199 |
| Civil Defence | 911 |
| Jordan Tourism Board | +962 6 567 8444 |
| Jordan Hospital Amman | +962 6 560 8080 |
| Al-Khalidi Medical Centre | +962 6 464 4281 |
| UK Embassy Amman | +962 6 590 9200 |
| US Embassy Amman | +962 6 590 6000 |
| Australian Embassy Amman | +962 6 580 7000 |
9. Safety Checklist
- Purchase Jordan Pass online before arrival to save on visa and site entry fees
- Use Grab or Careem apps in Amman for taxi travel
- Carry 2-3 litres of water when visiting outdoor sites — heat is extreme
- Bring high-SPF sunscreen from home
- Dress modestly in cities and towns — resort dress at Dead Sea and Aqaba
- Book Wadi Rum camps through Jordan Tourism Board-licensed operators
- Avoid border areas with Syria (Mafraq/Ramtha) and Iraq
- Keep a copy of passport and visa separate from originals
- Purchase travel health insurance with medical evacuation coverage
- Register with your embassy’s travel registry
- Research Petra horse ride and extra service costs before arrival
