I compiled a list of websites that I used in my planning and hopefully some readers will find it useful in planning your Jordan trip.
Frist, I have put all the places of interest in the google map and I will admit I used this GAdventure travel agency description to make up my own trip itinerary. Jordan is not that small and if you’re planning just a week, be realistic and pick the things you want to see. You won’t be able to see everything!
Next, I found this video below very useful to watch to get an idea about what to expect in Petra and other places in Jordan. Those tips were very useful.
As per video above, if you are coming via agency that has all activities included in the price, then you don’t need Jordanpass and just pay for your visa on arrival. Otherwise book it online https://www.jordanpass.jo, which will also waive your entry visa fee and you can get it at the airport (depending on your nationality of course). Just make sure to choose the right option at Petra (most recommended option 2-3 days).
Things to think before planning
- Do you want to book a tour which includes all accomodation and transport? I was considering to book Gadventures tour, but unfortunately it had limited dates available and we had flight tickets booked already. So if you are planning the tour, check the available tour dates first.
- Do you want to be more flexible and book a car? Booking a car is easy, but there are certain challenges coming with that, such as driving in a busy city of Amman or avoid it altogether. Also, make sure to check if you need IDP (International Driver’s permit). It might not be required by law in Jordan, but some rental companies might require it. The easiest way is to read FAQs at rentals company’s page in Jordan, to get an idea of their policies. We chose montecar.com, which also offers full all inclusive insurance on their website. Few other things also to consider when renting:
- Do you want to drive in big cities, where the rules are a bit hectic?
- No amount of alcohol in blood is allowed while driving, so if you are planning a glass of wine somewhere you can’t drive.
- Driving at night is dangerous due to potholes, camels and stop bumpers.
- You need 4×4 if you are planning to go inside of the desert to your campsite. Otherwise arrange pick-up. Don’t go with normal car into desert as you might get stuck or seriously damage your car.
- As mentioned above figure out if you need IDP or not.
- Check your government recommendation on traveling to Jordan and make sure to check if your travel insurance covers the country and book one if it is not. Certain areas in Jordan are not covered by insurance, e.g. Syria border, but why would you go there?
- Some people do not recommend to travel to Jordan during Ramadan month (we booked exactly when it starts!) as there will be limited options for food and drinks (most of restaurants will be closed), but check the dates before travelling as it varies each year. Although the tourists aren’t required to fast, it’s respectful to refrain from eating, drinking, or smoking in public during daylight hours to be considerate of those. Alcohol can never be consumed in public and only in designated places, such as touristy hotels.
- Before booking your trip, check the moon phase in Wadi Rum. New Moon is the best option, as it will be the darkest sky at night and you will be able to see most of the stars and MIlky Way. Full Moon is the worst, as you will not see most of the stars. So plan accordingly.
Money
The Jordan Dinar (JOD) has been pegged to the U.S. dollar at a rate of 0.7090 per dollar since 1995. This stability in currency benefits Jordan by making its local banks more attractive for deposits. You can buy dinars in most of the countries before coming to Jordan. You can also use ATM to withdraw money in Jordan in the cities. This post mentioned that Arba Bank might not be charging any fees for withdrawal, but some say it does cost a little, but it allows to withdraw higher amount. Also, some mentioned using your debit card might not charge fees as opposed to credit cards. Using debit card with no fee would be only beneficial only if both your credit cards and debit card charge you the same transaction fee (non-sterling transaction fee or similar). Some credit cards in UK do not charge sterling conversion fee, so paying 3 JOD for transaction is more desirable than paying 2.99% from 500 JOD (~15 JOD).
Petra
Plant to stay a night in Petra. Many say it is doable in one day, but it will be very exhausting, especially if it is hot. Also, I guess you want to enjoy it instead of just running through.
After watching the video above we decided to stay 2 nights in Petra, so that we can go straight to Wadi Rum in the morning of the second night, so it gives us 1.5 days in Petra.
Things to know when visiting Petra:
- Plan what you are going to see. There are multiple trails and you won’t be able to do them all in one day. The main trail is probably what you should do if doing one day.
- Depending if Petra entry is included or not buy Jordanpass. Choose the number of days you want to access Petra as it varies from 1-3 days depending on the option you choose. You can also book in the Petra Visitor Centre if for some reason you don’t wish to buy Jordanpass, e.g. if you don’t need visa as it is the biggest save by JordanPass.
- Tickets for Petra by Night experience are available for purchase at Petra visitor centre office. The entrance fee is 17 JD, with free admission for children under 10. Advance reservations are not available.
- Consider hiring a guide for a day as otherwise all will be just a pile of rocks. You can book them from Petra Visitor Centre. For the main trial it will cost you 50 JOD, which seems it is per person and a starting price, but it also says you can negotiate with a guide as a group.
- Don’t bring too much water and food as you can eat at The Basin Restaurant inside of archaeological park and buy water on the site. However, it is a good idea to have a liter of water or so with you.
- Plan appropriate clothing to the season:
- Summer (June-August): Hot and dry with temperatures exceeding 40°C (104°F). Wear light, breathable clothing to protect you from heat and sun.
- Winter (December-February): Cool with occasional rain or even snow. During cooler months, pack layers to adjust to changing temperatures.
- Spring (March-May) and Autumn (September-November): Pleasant temperatures, ideal for exploring.
- Wear comfortable walking/hiking shoes. The terrain is rocky and uneven.
- Bring your hat and sunglasses as well as sunscreen.
- Be aware of scams:
- Be cautious of touts (someone who tries to sell things, such as tickets, in an unofficial and often aggressive way, usually at a higher price than the official one) and unofficial guides (should get one in visitor centre). The best is to avoid the at all times and just walk away.
- Only use official transportation and taxis.
- Avoid buying souvenirs made from ancient artifacts. First and most importantly, it is illegal, unethical to buy real ancient artifact that are looted from archeological sites and you probably have a lot of issues at customs. Second, it might be just a fake and they are just overcharging you.
- Do not touch or climb on ancient structures/sculptures.
- Always stay on designated paths.
- Keep your trash with you and dispose of it only in provided bins.
- Book your tickets and accommodations ahead of time, especially during peak season.
Wadi Rum Desert
Planning Wadi Rum desert experience was the most time consuming. It seems it has a lot of accomodations, which range from bedouin tents to martian domes, but most of those accommodations are filled with fake reviews – varying from dirty toilets, filthy windows (can’t see the view through dome glass) to unwashed sheets and food poisoning worthy food. What I did was to skip all highest rating views read all passable and negative reviews on booking.com, which usually my choice of accommodation booking so far, and took those reviews with a salt of grain.
You must understand that it is a desert. Yes it will be likely cold at night (so come prepared) and it will be in the middle of nowhere. That’s the whole point! Additionally, it is a desert, so most windows will get dirty, so you can bring window wipe cleans if you want that exclusive view (dispose wipes in the bin). Also, most places have limited electricity, so don’t expect too much from Air Conditioning/heating and having light all night whatsoever. Probably, you can expect cold shower as it might be warm water in some places, but only at certain point of time when generators/solar panels are running (same as in Morocco Merzouga desert). In addition to that, from my experience in Morocco, once electricity is out the water is pumping is out, so the toilets will get dirty. If you have a private bathroom, don’t flush it if not necessary. Remember that South African saying: if it’s yellow let it mellow, if it’s brown flush it down. Finally, don’t book and expect a hot tub in the middle of the desert! The water is scarce in Jordan and do you think you can fill up hot tubs in the desert? Those two things seem incompatible and wasteful even if it is possible.
I also read somewhere that the photos of the campsites are around 30% accurate, so do manage your expectations.

It took me awhile to figure out logistics and initially we wanted to stay 2 nights in those martian domes, but in the end we decided to book a tour with overnight stay and here is the reasons why:
- Booking a tour is simpler as you book the tours in the desert and the accomodation
- Pick-up, drop-off, tour and meal logistics becomes easier
- Tour normally includes all meals, so no extra hidden cost there
- It normally includes pick-up/drop-off from Wadi Rum Village, so no extra cost there (I read it can be 20 JOD one way)
- It is quite cold at night in the desert, so we thought one night was enough. Also, it might be cold shower only.
Booking your accommodation separately
A list of things to consider if you’re booking accommodation separately:
- Check the additional cost for the meals (can vary from 15-20 JOD)
- 90% of accomodations I checked offer shuttle service to Wadi Rum village, but that’s extra cost (15-20 JOD). So check before or after you book as you will need cash for that.
- Some luxury accommodations offer tours with a higher price, so do check that as well as might be too late to book anything once you are on the spot there.
- Check the bad reviews on what to expect, but use the common sense as some reviews are very emotional and just take out useful information.
- Most likely will be cold at night, so manage your expectation about aircons and come prepared with appropriate clothing for sleeping.
- Private bathroom. Some places offer it in all tents, some not. Normally that costs extra, but water stops in all of toilets when the electricity is out… just something to think about.
- Some campsites offer as low as 3 JOD, but that is to tie you up to the place and then you will end up paying for all meals, transfers and tours, which can sum up to around 90 JOD for accomodation + tour price (probably another 80-100 JOD). Once you are in a campsite, not much you can do as you are in the middle of nowhere.
- Some accommodations offer extra activities (special dinner, music and etc), so ask for the price before you sign-up.
- Ask yourself if you really need 5 star luxury tent in a desert? Also, can it really be 5 star where water is very limited to maintain the level of cleanliness? In my opinion all those locations that has 5 stars or luxury in them are just to attract people, but doesn’t offer that level of service.
Great video of Wadi Rum Desert overview in martian domes:
Booking your tours separately
A list of things to consider if you’re booking tours separately:
- Make sure you know the itinerary and it includes what you want to see. The problem of some tours provided by accomodations (when you book separately) is that they have no license to take you to the places you want to see in Wadi Rum Protected area and itinerary will not be clear. Also some tour providers on GetYourGuide and etc don’t specify details, so you don’t know what you’re getting.
- Do they offer pick-up from your campsite and is there extra cost? Some companies do not pick-up from certain areas such as Disah. So do clarify with the provider as the border line of the area is not very clear. Otherwise you will need to arrange with your campsite, which might be costly or they might refuse to transfer and try to sell their own trips to you.
- Check if lunch is included if not how much extra (to anticipate required cash).
- Since you are booking separately, check the time you come back and leave to coordinate the breakfast or dinner with your accommodation as the timing might not match and you will be left with no food.
- Try to google the tour provider on Youtube and watch some of their videos to get an idea.
Below you will find some tours from local companies (no intermediary re-sellers). Most of these places should take your to these places of interest: Lawrence’s House, Little Bridge, Al Jamal Red Sand Dune, Lawrence’s Spring, Burdah Rock Bridge, Wadi Rum Desert, Khazali Canyon, Abu Khashaba Canyon and Mushroom Rock. However, make sure to check itinerary when booking.
I’ve added just the 1 night tour with overnight stay, but if you are interested in more days please check their websites.
Wadi Rum Escape tours
Wadi Rum Escape tours looked very promising due to their very professional page and very detailed itinerary. I couldn’t find any detailed videos about it, but the ones I saw were alright, just very short.

Wadi Rum Camp & Tours
The tours from Wadi Rum Camp & Tours seems on the more expensive side, but they are quite transparent with their pricing and 110 JOD for single person, including all meals. However, the tour itinerary is there, but it is very difficult to skim through it as it is not marked up. I found this website is very difficult to follow and understand. You can read the reviews on the website (if they are real).

Wadi Rum Quiet Village tours
This tour by Wadi Rum Quiet Village I found in one of the Tripadvisor forums and after watching the videos below it seemed very promising. Also it was very easy to contact them via Whatsapp to ask any outstanding questions and to make a booking. The transfer from and to Wadi Rum Village is included as well as all 3 meals and only 45 JOD per person (for group of 4, price varies from 40-60 JOD p.p. depending on group size). You can see their price list in the bottom of the page of each activity. Oh yes, when opening the page you must accept at least minimal cookies, otherwise the contents won’t display!

Wadi Rum Fire Camp tours
Another provider I found was Wadi Rum Fire Camp provider, which has very similar description of the activity as Wadi Rum Quiet Village as well as identical pricing options (40-60 JOD p.p.)

And if you can’t be bothered by booking directly, you can always book on GetYourGuide from the same Wadi Rum Fire Camp provider. The only downside is that they charge the activity provider a percentage, which is not great if you want to support local businesses. Also if you are a group of 2-4 people it might be much cheaper to book directly (40-45 JOD instead of 60 JOD) as GetYourGuide charges maximum flat rate of 60 JOD p.p.

Beyond Wadi Rum tours
The website of Beyond Wadi Rum tours also looks very promising, the itinerary is full of details – bolding out the most important bits, which makes easier to see what you are going to see. Even though, the page is not as professional as it could be from IT and design perspective, which often is to save money, but it does offer all required information. The price for one night stay with tour varies from 60 (for larger groups) to 120 JOD (for singles), which is a bit on more expensive side and lunch is not included.

Dead Sea
In your visit in Jordan, you probably will want to visit Dead Sea as well. Read below to get an idea of what to expect and what to plan.
People are drawn to the Dead Sea in Jordan for its unique natural wonders and therapeutic benefits. Its hyper-saline water allows visitors to effortlessly float, providing a one-of-a-kind experience. The mineral-rich mud is renowned for its skin-healing properties, attracting those seeking natural treatments. The region’s stunning landscapes, with dramatic desert backdrops and breathtaking sunsets, offer a serene getaway. Additionally, the Dead Sea’s historical and cultural significance, being one of the world’s oldest health resorts, adds a layer of intrigue and allure for travelers interested in history and wellness.
Things to know before going:
- Book a hotel that has access to the beach of Dead Sea. Not all establishments have access to the beach and there is a very limited access by the coast as it is not one sandy beach where you can go.
- Plan where you will go to beach. Most beaches are private and belongs to resorts. There used to be public beach Amman Beach (a public beach), but it is marked in 2024 and beginning of 2025 as Temporarily Closed, so most likely you won’t be able to access it.
- The Dead Sea can have a noticeable and sometimes unpleasant smell due to its high concentration of sulfur minerals, which emit a sulfuric odor, particularly near hot springs or mud deposits along the shore. However, the water itself typically doesn’t smell “bad” unless it’s disturbed or mixed with mud.
- Do not shave or go swimming with cuts. Shaved skin will sting intensely in the salty water. Avoid shaving for at least 24 hours before entering the Dead Sea. The same applies if you have cuts or bruises it will be stinging.
- Don’t get Dead Sea water in your eyes, nose and mouth. The high salt content can cause severe irritation. If it happens, rinse immediately with fresh water.
- You won’t be able to swim. The Dead Sea’s high density makes it impossible to swim. Simply float on your back or lie on the water’s surface.
- Limit the time you stay in the Dead Sea water. 15-20 minutes is usually enough. The salt can dehydrate you, and prolonged exposure can irritate your skin.
- Shower with fresh water immediately after swimming in the Dead Sea. This will remove the salt and prevent further skin irritation.
Practical Tips:
- Bring and wear your old swimwear. The salty water can discolor or damage your swimsuit.
- Bring your flip-flops. The ground around the Dead Sea can be quite hot and rocky.
- Apply high SPF sunscreen. The strong sun can cause sunburn, even when you’re in the water (also as you won’t be fully submerged due to salinity).
- Always stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water before, during, and after your visit.
- Consider a resort with a private beach. This can offer a more comfortable and luxurious experience. Also some hotels offer mud baths (or container with mud), where you can cover your body with a mud from Dead Sea. Dead Sea mud is incredibly rich in minerals like magnesium, potassium, calcium, and sulfur. These minerals are believed to have various health benefits for the skin as well as therapeutic benefits for muscles and circulation.
Please leave a comment if you have any suggestions of any useful resources that you used or tips planning your Jordan trip!
Cover image from Pexel Free Photos.