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Jordan

“We need the tonic of wildness…At the same time that we are earnest to explore and learn all things, we require that all things be mysterious and unexplorable, that land and sea be indefinitely wild, unsurveryed and unfathomed by us because unfathomable. We can never have enough of nature. “

Henry David Thoreau

Every moment I spent in Jordan was covered in a thin sheen of dust. You’ll sleep in caves, climb to the top of craggy rock peaks for the best views of Petra, riding in the bed of 4 x 4 trucks as they soar over the red dunes basking in a desert sunset. If you’re lucky you’ll make acquaintance with the Bedouins. A hospitable bunch of desert nomads who will give a whole new perspective on the quickly modernizing world of Jordan.

Jordan is usually a quick trip for travelers. Be it the budget requirements of visiting a country whose Dinar outweighs the Dollar or simply a shortage of destinations with ample tourist infrastructure. But even in a short amount of time, the wildness of Jordan’s wide-open desert landscapes captures the imagination and satisfies every Indiana Jones cosplay dream.

Jordan Travel Guide

Recommended Destinations: Amman, Petra (Wadi Musa), Wadi Rum, Dead Sea, Wadi el Mujib

Minimum Recommended Trip Length: 7-10 days.

One Bucketlist Item You Cannot Miss: 

Sleeping in a Bedouin Cave inside Petra.

Things to Consider Before You Go: If you plan on visiting Petra then the Jordan Pass is going to be the cheapest option for you to obtain your visa. You can purchase online before your arrival + the pass counts as your entrance fee to all the major tourist sights, Wadi Rum, Petra, Amman Citadel + Roman Theatre, as well as your Visa for admittance to the country.

Renting a car in Jordan is the most popular way of travel. Although it might not be the cheapest option, if you are short on time I do recommend it. There is very little public transit + many budget travelers rely on hitch-hiking to reach destinations in the Northern part of the country. You do not need an International License (just your home country’s) + the roads are easy to drive on.

If you enter Jordan in Aqaba + leave from the same airport you do not need a visa for Jordan. It’s a weird little loophole and in that case, the Jordan Pass is probably not for you. But keep in mind you MUST exit through Aqaba (not Amman) if you want to skip the visa process.

Visa Information

Jordan offers US passport holders a visa on arrival. It costs $60. Or you can purchase the Jordan Pass as I outline above.

Estimated Backpacker Budget

On a Shoestring: $35/day 

Flashpacker: $50/day 

Backpacker Luxury: $75/day

Keep in mind these are backpacker budgets. On a shoestring expect to be eating street food, sleeping in hostel beds, & skipping the more expensive tourist attractions. Backpacker Luxury opts for private rooms, eats mostly in restaurants, and splurges on activities. Flashpackers are the middle ground & often do a mixture of both.  

Jordan is perfect for travelers looking for desert adventures, delicious food, & exploring ancient temples with Bedouins.

Jordan Blog Posts