Jordan Travel Guide: Petra, Wadi Rum & the Dead Sea — Tips from People Who've Actually Been

Jordan is one of the most rewarding destinations in the Middle East — ancient history, dramatic desert landscapes, exceptional hospitality, and less tourist pressure than many comparable destinations in the region. Here's the essential guide.

Petra: The Rose-Red City

The ancient Nabataean city carved into rose-coloured sandstone is one of the world's genuinely jaw-dropping sights. Walking through the Siq (the narrow canyon entrance) and emerging to see the Treasury for the first time is a moment travellers remember forever.

What to know:

• Give it two days minimum. Most visitors do a rushed one-day trip. The Monastery (even more impressive than the Treasury, but a 45-minute hike up 800 steps) and the High Place of Sacrifice require time.
• Go early. The Treasury and main monuments get crowded midday. Arrive at opening (6am) for photographs without crowds and cooler temperatures.
• The Petra by Night experience (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday) is atmospheric but variable — candles lining the Siq and music at the Treasury. Worth it for the Siq walk in darkness.
• Entry fees: JD 50 (around $70) for a 1-day pass, JD 55 for 2 days, JD 60 for 3 days. If you're staying in Wadi Musa (the town), Jordan Pass is much better value (includes visa + Petra entry).

Wadi Rum: The Martian Desert

Wadi Rum is where — literally — The Martian and many other films were shot. An otherworldly landscape of red sand, dramatic sandstone cliffs, ancient rock art, and the most extraordinary night skies.

Most visitors do an overnight stay in a Bedouin camp. Jeep tours visit the key sites: Lawrence's Spring, Khazali Canyon, mushroom rocks, sand dunes. The silence and scale of the desert at night are unforgettable.

Tip: Book a camp that limits group size. The difference between a camp of 8 people and one of 80 is enormous for the experience of the desert.

The Dead Sea

The lowest point on earth (430m below sea level). The salt concentration is so high you float effortlessly — sitting up in the water reading a newspaper is the classic photo. It's also the only sea where the sun is filtered enough that you're less likely to burn.

Entry: Most people access via a hotel beach (around JD 20–30 day access). Free public beaches exist but have fewer facilities. The mud is genuinely good for skin.

The Jordan Trail & Beyond

• Aqaba — Jordan's only Red Sea port; good diving and snorkelling with easy Israeli and Egyptian border crossings
• Jerash — The best-preserved Roman city outside Italy; two hours from Amman, often missed by visitors
• Dana Biosphere Reserve — Hiking between Wadi Rum and Petra through one of Jordan's most beautiful natural areas

Practical Tips

• Jordan Pass ($70–80 USD) includes visa fee + Petra entry — always buy it if visiting Petra
• Currency: Jordanian Dinar (JD). 1 JD = ~$1.40. Relatively expensive by regional standards
• Safety: Jordan is one of the safest countries in the Middle East for tourists
• Ramadan: If visiting during Ramadan, restaurants close during the day but open grandly at sunset; the evening atmosphere in Amman is special

Current Community Tips

Jordan travel planning benefits enormously from current advice — which camps in Wadi Rum are genuinely good, what the wait times at Petra are like, current border crossing conditions. The Jordan community on Parada has travellers sharing this kind of specific, timely information. Click Jordan on the map.