Jordan

Jordan is a compact country, but it offers a surprisingly diverse mix of desert landscapes, ancient cities, and lively urban culture. Most travellers start in Amman, a sprawling hilltop capital where Roman ruins sit beside busy cafes and falafel stalls. Give yourself at least a day to wander the Citadel, the Roman Theatre, and the artsy Jabal al-Weibdeh and Jabal Amman neighbourhoods.

Jordan is generally safe and welcoming, and English is widely understood in tourist areas, though learning a few Arabic greetings (like marhaba for hello and shukran for thank you) goes a long way. Dress is modest, especially outside major tourist sites: lightweight long trousers or skirts and covered shoulders are usually appreciated.

Having mobile data from the moment you land makes everything easier, from ordering rides to checking opening hours. Activating a Hello eSIM before you arrive lets you connect as soon as the plane touches down, so you can find your hotel, message your host, or pull up your Hello trip planning notes without hunting for airport Wi‑Fi.

Jordan’s main highlights—Petra, Wadi Rum, and the Dead Sea—are spread across the country, so expect some driving. With a bit of planning, you can see a lot in a week without feeling rushed.

Jordan’s public transport is limited, so most travellers combine intercity buses with taxis or private drivers. For longer distances, comfortable buses run between Amman, Aqaba, Petra (Wadi Musa), and Irbid, but schedules can change, so always confirm departure times the day before. Using your Hello eSIM to check maps and call your accommodation en route helps avoid surprises.

In cities, yellow taxis are common and relatively inexpensive; ask the driver to use the meter, or agree a fare in advance. For day trips—such as Amman to Jerash, or Petra to Little Petra and Wadi Rum—many travellers hire a driver for several hours. If you prefer full flexibility, you can rent a car, but be ready for assertive local driving and occasional unmarked speed bumps.

When planning routes, it helps to group nearby sights. Use Hello trip planning to slot Petra, Wadi Rum, and the Dead Sea into a logical loop rather than backtracking across the country. If you share rides or hire a driver with other travellers, the Hello expense splitting feature makes it easy to divide costs in Jordanian dinars (JOD) so everyone pays their fair share.

Always carry some cash for small transport payments, as not all drivers accept cards.

Eating in Jordan is a highlight: expect generous portions, warm hospitality, and lots of mezze. Don’t miss mansaf (lamb cooked in fermented yogurt, traditionally eaten with hands), falafel, hummus, and maqluba (a fragrant upside-down rice dish). In Amman, Rainbow Street and Downtown are great areas to try local spots, while in Wadi Musa and Aqaba you’ll find plenty of simple restaurants catering to travellers.

Tap water is generally not recommended for drinking; buy bottled water, and keep a reusable bottle to cut down on plastic. Alcohol is available in many restaurants and bars in Amman and Aqaba, but less common in smaller towns; always check local norms before drinking, and avoid public intoxication.

A few practical tips:

• Tipping: 10% is appreciated in restaurants if service isn’t already included.
• Timing: During Ramadan, many places adjust opening hours and daytime dining—plan ahead.
• Etiquette: Accept offers of tea or coffee; refusing outright can feel abrupt.

Dining with others often means shared plates and mixed payment methods. Use Hello expense splitting to divide restaurant bills easily, and Hello budget tracking to keep an eye on how much you’re spending in JOD on those extra rounds of mezze.

If you have dietary restrictions, your mobile data via Hello eSIM makes it easier to translate ingredients and find suitable restaurants.

Jordan uses the Jordanian dinar (JOD), which is a relatively strong currency. As a rough guide, 1 JOD is around 1.4 USD, so entrance fees and meals may feel pricier than in some neighbouring countries. Major attractions reflect this: a standard one-day Petra ticket is about 50 JOD (around 70 USD), while many visitors choose multi-day passes to explore at a more relaxed pace.

Card payments are common in hotels and larger restaurants, but smaller shops, local eateries, and taxis often prefer cash. ATMs are easy to find in cities and big towns, though more limited in rural areas, so withdraw ahead of journeys to places like Wadi Rum.

To keep spending under control:

• Track daily costs—transport, entrance fees, meals—in Hello budget tracking so you always know your total in JOD.
• Use Hello expense splitting when travelling with others, especially for shared costs like jeep tours in Wadi Rum or Dead Sea spa days.
• Mix sit-down meals with street food and bakery snacks, which can be excellent value.

Mobile connectivity via Hello eSIM lets you check up-to-date prices for tours and accommodation, compare options, and adjust your itinerary inside Hello trip planning if certain experiences are more expensive than expected, helping you stay within your chosen budget without missing the highlights.