To be honest with you, Jordan was never on top of my bucket list. I had other destinations I dreamed about visiting like Peru, Nepal and Mexico. However, as travel restrictions didn’t seem to loosen up, I started searching for a beautiful destination relatively close to home at an affordable price.
After I did some research, I came across Jordan. I started looking for places to see and tourist attractions and I discovered a diverse country, with a lot of history and many breathtaking places to see.
I heard a lot about Petra over the years but nothing could prepare me for how beautiful this place is in reality. Not to mention the Dead Sea, another must-see attraction in Jordan. Anyway, I had an amazing time visiting Jordan and I want to share with you a few of the reasons I love this country.
10 Reasons why visiting Jordan is a must!
1. The food in Jordan is yummy
I am not a foodie, but let me tell you something: the food in Jordan is a dream, especially for vegetarians. You can’t leave Amman without trying the famous Kunafah from Habibah Sweets.
Also, a meal at Hashem Restaurant is a must. The food is very cheap and delicious and the entire meal is an experience itself. You have to try it!
To put it in a nutshell, you can’t get hungry in Jordan. The food is plentiful, diverse and mouth-watering. I fell in love with Hummus and even now, when I’m back home, I still buy Hummus, but it’s not the same as the one in Jordan.
2. People are kind and welcoming
We all know that people make or break a vacation. No matter how beautiful the destination is, if the locals are not welcoming or try to scam you, you can’t fully enjoy your vacation. I know this from personal experience.
However, I can’t speak highly enough about the people in Jordan. After visiting over 40 countries from around the world, by far the most welcoming people are the Jordanians and the Burmese.
You can see that they are very happy to welcome tourists in their country and they do everything in their power to make you feel welcomed.
3. Jordan’s landscape is diverse
From the Dead Sea (the saltiest water in the world), to the beaches of Aqaba and the Wadi Rum Desert, there’s a lot to see and experience in Jordan. You could easily spend an entire month in this country and not get bored.
My favorite place from the entire country was Wadi Rum. It was not my first time in the desert, I’ve been to Sahara before in Morocco but Wadi Rum is ten times better. The landscape here looks like you stepped on another planet.
Just a short drive away from Wadi Rum is Aqaba, a modern city with stunning beaches. It’s one of the best places in the world for snorkeling. Can you imagine visiting a desert and going snorkeling on the same day?
4. There are lots of things to do and places to explore
Amman is a vibrant city with a lot of history, where you could easily spend a few days. Just a short drive away is Jerash, a city known for its well-preserved Greco-Roman ruins.
Go south and you’ll reach Madaba, known for its 6th century mosaic map of the Holy Land. If you’re into sports, you can try canyoning in Wadi Mujib – an incredible experience through one of the most beautiful canyons you’ll ever see.
All in all, there are lots of places to explore in Jordan. Honestly, I wish I had more time to explore this beautiful country. I spent one week exploring the country from Amman to Aqaba, but it was too little time. I need at least one more week to see everything I wanted to see and to really enjoy the places I visited.
5. Exploring Jordan is safe
When I started posting stories on my Instagram page, the most asked question about Jordan was “Is it a safe country?”. As long as you stick with the well-known tourist areas, you’re completely safe. There was not even a second when we felt threatened or unsafe.
As I previously said, the locals are very kind and there’s nothing to worry about when it comes to safety.
6. Jordan is an authentic destination
Few destinations preserve their authentic lifestyle and way of living, especially when it comes to super-touristy places. However, Jordan is one of those places that still remains true to itself.
Being part of the Muslim World, Jordan preserves its traditions and culture. As always, when traveling to a country with a different culture than yours, I strongly encourage you to adapt to the local norms and respect the local culture (when it comes to gestures, clothing or anything else).
7. Amman is modern yet traditional
Amman is a vibrant city, with many modern buildings surrounded by more traditional buildings. From 5 star hotels to modest homes there are only a few meters.
I think Amman is the perfect mix between the two, offering modern shopping malls and modern hotels and at the same time, traditional restaurants and experiences. While exploring this city, don’t miss the incredible Rainbow Street!
8. Jordan is an affordable destination
For those who’re looking for an affordable destination for their next vacation, visiting Jordan is a great option! A meal at a local restaurant will set you back $5 while a room in a guesthouse will set you back around $40.
When it comes to transport, the best option is to rent a car. It will give you the freedom to explore the country at your own pace. Renting a car will cost you about $30 per day.
Keep in mind that the prices mentioned above are for those who want to travel on a budget. In Jordan there are many 5-star resorts and luxury experiences, for those who want something more special.
9. You can go to Mars
Have you seen “The Martian” movie? Well, in Jordan you can go to Mars without even setting foot into a rocket. The movie was filmed in Wadi Rum Desert, an incredible place where you can spend the night in a glass igloo and go on jeep safaris.
Out of all the places I visited in Jordan, Wadi Rum was my favorite. I loved it more than Petra. The landscape is simply breathtaking and there is a different view at every few steps.
10. Jordan is the perfect place for honeymooners!
Are you looking for a special place for your honeymoon? A romantic location where you won’t get bored to spend some quality time with your loved one? Look no further!
Jordan is the perfect choice! You can explore Petra together, spend a few nights at a beautiful resort right on the Dead Sea’s shore and spend a few nights under the stars in an igloo in Wadi Rum. What do you say?
Where to stay in Jordan?
I chose some beautiful hotels for my stay in Jordan and I want to share them with you. If you’re looking for a luxurious experience, these are my recommendations:
- Amman – W Hotel – luxurious hotel with spacious rooms and great amenities. The restaurant is amazing!
- Dead Sea – Movenpick Resort Dead Sea – located right on the shore of the Dead Sea, this resort has everything you need! Beautiful pools and amazing spa.
- Petra – Movenpick Resort Petra – located right at the entrance to Petra, Movenpick is a great choice!
- Wadi Rum – Hasan Zawaideh Camp – choose an igloo for an unforgettable stay!
Are you looking for a special experience in Jordan?
If you want to visit some off-the-beaten-path places or you just need some help with planning your Jordan itinerary and booking activities, I recommend contacting Champions Tours or Tetrapylon. These companis have a lot of experience in planning unforgettable trips and tours for those visiting Jordan.
[email protected] & [email protected]
Final thoughts
All my expectations were exceeded by Jordan’s beauty and culture. I had a great week exploring this country and honestly, I can’t wait to go back and explore more.
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask me in the comments section below. May the travel bug bite you!
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Aurelia Teslaru is a professional travel blogger and the writer behind Daily Travel Pill. With a 4-year experience as a travel writer and photographer, Aurelia only shares travel guides about destinations that she visited.
She has been to more than 40 countries during the past 10 years and aims to explore 50 countries before turning 30 years old. Aurelia is a digital nomad who transformed her passion for travel into a lifestyle. Read more about her here.
To follow her adventures, check out her Instagram and Facebook pages!