A WELL TRAVELED PAIR
4 Must-See Destinations in Jordan
by Katie McCabe | @awelltraveledpair | February 27th, 2017
While I was planning our trip to Jordan, I noticed that the country has so many beautiful sights to see. I excitedly began mapping out a route so that we could see as many of them as possible. Even though we didn't get to see everything this amazing country has to offer, we did get to see a handful of breathtaking places. Here is a list of our four favorites.
Petra
Petra is the most popular tourist attraction in all of Jordan, and it's easy to see why. You'll marvel at the Treasury and Monastery inside this amazing ''Rose City'', and feel as if you have been transported back to 300 BC.
Current ticket prices to Petra can be found on their website as well as local lodging recommendations. We stayed at the Movenpick, which sits right outside of the famous archaeological site and offers a comfortable and luxurious stay in a beautiful setting. As of 2023, nightly rates for the Movenpick are around $200 USD / night.
Also, when in Petra, be sure to see the amazing Petra By Night light show every Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday night and watch 1,500 candles bring this ancient city to life.
Wadi Rum
Known as "The Valley of the Moon", Wadi Rum's unique landscape surely captivates. From jagged mountains to martian red sand dunes, this is one of the most beautiful places in the world. Explore this vast desert on a 4x4 Jeep tour, climb rock bridges, and sleep under the stars in a traditional Bedouin camp.
We took a day trip from Petra to Wadi Rum with a private tour company and we thoroughly enjoyed our experience, however, we definitely want to stay at one of the luxury Bedouin camps next time we visit. I've heard great things about Memories Aicha Camp.
The Dead Sea
Located at the lowest elevation on Earth, people travel from all over the world to float in the mineral-rich healing waters of the Dead Sea. The high salt concentration, ten times that of the ocean, makes it easy to float due to natural buoyancy. Slather on some sea mud and relax in the year-round warm water.
TIP: If you are going to the Dead Sea for just the day, which we did, you'll need to buy a 'day pass' from one of the hotels in the area. We chose the Marriott and it was amazing. A day pass there costs 55 JD / $78 USD and that includes a 25 JD / $35 USD food/drink voucher and a locker rental. A cheaper option would be the nearby Amman Beach for 15 JD / $22 USD but you won't have the comfortable amenities that the hotels offer.
Amman
Most people are only in Amman for a short time, using it as a gateway to Petra, Wadi Rum, and the Dead Sea, but this capital city has a lot more to offer. With attractions such as the Citadel, the Jordan Museum, and even a Roman Amphitheater, Amman is filled with fascinating sights.
If you're looking for a hotel in Amman, we recommend the Four Seasons Amman. The hotel is stunning, in a great location, and has amazing 5-star accommodations.
Additional Tips
There is not a lot of public transportation in Jordan so travel can get pricey taking two to three hour taxi rides from one attraction to the next. Here are the average costs for the most popular routes in Jordan:
Amman to Petra - 90 JD / $127 USD
Petra to Wadi Rum - 50 JD / $71 USD
Petra to Dead Sea - 75 JD / $106 USD
Amman to Dead Sea - 40 JD / $57 USD
Other travel alternatives are group tours, car rental, or JETT bus.
Be sure to carry your passport with you at all times. You will encounter security road blocks where the local police will need to see you passport before allowing you to pass. You will also need to show your passport before entering the sights, such as Petra, Wadi Rum, and the Dead Sea.
Jordan has very strict drone laws, I advise you to leave yours at home.