The Kingdom of Jordan is a rather exotic place to stay. Tourists here will be pleased with quite ordinary for resort cities entertainment: diving, snorkeling, numerous excursions, beach entertainment. Along with this, the Dead Sea and the endless desert will create a new unique effect from the usual rest by the sea.
This country attracts with its thousand-year history. It can surely be called the cradle of civilization. In addition, it is one of the centers of the Middle East, where tourism potential is actively developing.
Travel to Jordan is mostly available to those who are willing to allocate an average or budget above that for such a holiday. Tourists strive here to improve their health, rejuvenate the body, develop spiritually and relax with the body.
How to get to Jordan
In the vicinity of the capital of Jordan, Amman is the main international airport. From Moscow here you can fly direct flight for 340-400 US dollars. The charter will fly faster and cost just $ 195.It is cheaper to get here by Aegean Airlines flights ($ 165), but you will have to make a transfer in Athens. The flight "Tarom" will require a transplant in Bucharest and will result in $ 295. This is the cost of one way tickets. The flight from St. Petersburg will cost $ 295-445. But all flights with transfer.
From Moscow, charters fly to Aqaba at the airport named after King Hussein. You can fly here for only 160 dollars. From Peter to this direction you can fly for $ 310 with a transfer.
From the airport to the center of Aman can be reached by shuttle bus. They travel every half hour, and the ticket price is only 5 JOD. The cost of a taxi on the same route will cost 20 JOD during the day, and at night the price rises. Taxi services from hotels are cheaper - 15 JOD.
Inland transport
The largest national airline offers regular direct flights from Amman to Aqaba for 55 JOD. This is the only domestic flight. This fact is justified by the small size of the country and a well-established bus service. Major cities are connected by Jett transport. From Amman to Petra you can drive for 10 JOD, to Irbid for 20 JOD.
Private buses transport tourists and locals between small towns. The route network is quite diverse, and tickets are cheap. Disadvantages can be considered the lack of schedules, air conditioning in the salons, as well as overcrowded buses. Trains between cities were canceled as a result of the war in Syria.
Transport inside cities drives erratically. Only in the capital, this aspect has some orderliness. Here they use buses, minibuses and so-called "services" - seven-seat cars that have their own route. The fare is paid directly to the driver. In the city, this is the sum of 0.5 JOD, you can go to the suburbs for 1.25 JOD.
Taxis can be found in any city. Most of the cars are equipped with meters, air conditioning and other amenities. Landing will cost an average of 0.25 JOD, after which, for each kilometer, you will need to pay extra for 0.5 JOD. At night the rate is double.
Rent a car requires a credit card. It blocks from 150 to 500 USD as a deposit. Rent a car on average will cost 30 JOD per day. Premium class will result in 60 JOD, and a minivan - in 75 JOD. Gasoline in Jordan costs 0.9 per 1 liter.
Holidays in Jordan 2018: prices, hotels, beaches, treatment
In Jordanian hotels you can be sure of the highest level of local service. In most hotels, the staff speaks English, and in some even in Russian. Most choice of places to stay in Aqaba and right on the coast of the sea.
The first line is decorated with luxurious five-star hotels, on the second line there are hotels of three- and four-star level. Hotels on the shores of the Dead Sea delight guests with an abundance of restaurants, spas and entertainment centers.
For those who are not ready to lay out a lot of money for accommodation, there are hostels, where for 5 JOD you can rent a bed in the common room. A separate room for two will cost you 15 JOD per day in such a place. If the choice fell on a three-star hotel, then accommodation will cost 20 JOD. The five will require investments - a night in such a hotel will cost 70 JOD.
You can also use the campsite. Here for 20 JOD you can rent a room with breakfast. The most expensive local fives are dealt by JOD 180 per night. The average level in hotels with four stars will cost 50 JOD.
Among the local beaches are municipal and private, which belong to the hotel. Entrance to the municipal beaches is free, but there are very few sun beds and umbrellas. Locals aspire here. The beaches at hotels are available free of charge only for their clients, but outsiders are also allowed here for a fee.
On the shores of the Dead Sea, almost all beaches are private. The exception is Amman Beach. Here you will have to pay 20 JOD for entry. Those interested can purchase for 3 JOD pots with healing mud.
In the north, the beaches are mostly sandy, in the southern part - pebbly. The best recreation areas are located in the suburbs of Tala Bay. The water here is clear and clean.
There are more than 100 clinics in Jordan. The treatment here is relatively inexpensive.At the same time hospitals and motels are equipped with the latest technology. It treats patients with the most difficult diagnoses. The hotels have spa packages with a wellness area. Most often, this service is found in five-star hotels. The package of relevant procedures will cost 60-300 JOD per day.
Holidays in Jordan 2018: all inclusive (prices)
Rest is doubly pleasant, if all domestic issues are resolved by themselves. For this there is an “all inclusive” system. In Jordan, many hotels offer all inclusive accommodation. For example, Marina Plaza Hotel Tala Bay 4 stars for 41,200 rubles offers a tour of 11 nights per person. The hotel is located on the second line.
On the first line you can live in Dead Sea Spa 4 stars for 47,500 rubles. The 5 stars Grand East Hotel will receive guests for 49,000 rubles, and the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Aqaba - 57,000 rubles.
High scores in the rating of hotels are also rated:
- Grand Swiss-Belresort Tala Bay Aqaba (59,000 rubles);
- Moevenpick Resort (from 72,000 rubles);
- Holiday Inn Dead Sea (85 500 rubles);
- InterContinental Aqaba (88 000 rubles) and others.
Entertainment and Attractions
Like any scenic coast, diving is popular in Jordan. Diving into the Red Sea means being transported to a fabulous underwater world. It is interesting both for beginners and experienced divers. Among the exotic inhabitants of the deep sea here are found:
- scorpions;
- moray eels;
- corals of different shapes and colors;
- turtles;
- fish-stones and much more.
For an immersion with an instructor you will have to pay 75 JOD, and for equipment rental from 5 to 45 JOD. There are 6 active diving centers in Aqaba. The most popular of them is The Royal Diving Club.
Attractions in Jordan, a great many. There are sacred biblical sites, ancient ruins, stately palaces, and the charms of nature.
First of all it is recommended to visit:
- Jerash - the provincial city of the Roman Empire;
- the city of Matabu;
- the memorial of Moses;
- the place of the baptism of Jesus;
- Crusader castle in Karak;
- Wadi Rum desert;
- Gadar (Umm Qais);
- caliph palaces of the desert;
- castle in Ajlun;
- Bani Qasr Amr and more.
For active recreation, you can rent an SUV and move on it from one attraction to another. From the balloon it's nice to see the beauty from the air. Fans of paintball and golf will be able to find something for themselves. You can also go horse riding or go hiking here.
Food and shopping in Jordan
Tourists bring from Jordan Madaba wicker rugs, flasks with special colored sand from Petra, olive wood products, dishes, jewelry and much more. Also popular is local cosmetics with Dead Sea minerals. Those who seek unity with nature, are taking with them local healing mud.
Jordanian cuisine maintains Arab cooking traditions. The difference is that the cooks here do not use spices and spices so plentifully. Instead, in almost every dish you can taste the taste of mint. Also characteristic additives can be considered marinated olives, lemon, herbs, herbs, pine nuts, onions.
Falafel and hummus, baked goods with various fillings, salads and stews are the most popular among local snacks. Bakery products are most often represented by pita bread, ragyf bread and Kmazh flatbread. Among meat delights, chicken, lamb or veal with a side dish of potato or rice deserve special attention.
Local sweets - one of the best in the East. Tourists should try:
- liver with sesame;
- baklava with pistachios;
- canapas with cheese;
- katafe pies;
- dessert from java guava;
- ice cream;
- fruits in sugar.
Alcohol is not limited here. The exception will be the fasting month for Muslims. From drinks you should choose arak, wine, local coffee.
You can eat shawarma or fruit on the street in 1-2 JOD. Dine in a mid-level café will cost 4-8 JOD, and dinner in a restaurant already 15-25 JOD for two without alcoholic beverages. Tourists who come here for gastronomic delights and gourmet cuisine will have to stock up on money.Local high-end restaurants are asking for their exorbitant money.
The climate of Jordan
The quality of travel to the sea depends on the weather. Jordan has a subtropical climate with Mediterranean and sharply continental features. It's very dry here. In January, the air temperature varies from 8 to 14 degrees plus. In mid-summer, the average daily temperature reaches 35 degrees. Therefore, it is better to plan a trip here during the off-season. In November, it rains in the north of the country.
In the seas you can swim all year round. Water maintains a comfortable temperature of 21 degrees. It is warm at night by the sea, and cool in the central regions at night.
Rest in Jordan: reviews
Tourists going to Jordan, most often, already have some idea about the features of the country. In particular, dissatisfaction can cause heat and sand flying to the face. Despite the fact that these factors are the specifics of the country, there are tourists who are unpleasantly surprised. Guests of Jordan complain that construction is going everywhere and dust is permanently in the air. To create comfort, seasoned tourists recommend the use of scarves and shawls that cover the lower part of the face.
Among the negative aspects of vacationers say substandard services in hotels. Even if the tourist has purchased a ticket for the system “all inclusive”, you should not rely on the Turkish quality of services and food.
In addition, tourists who have visited Jordan warn about local horse drivers and donkeys. They are extremely sterile: they can very obtrusively demand a tip for their services. Even grab some of the customer’s items and demand a ransom. Taxi here is expensive and the price is not negotiable.
Another useful advice for travelers - be sure to bring your slippers, which will be designed for swimming. The entrance to the water is covered with stones and pieces of coral, about which you can get hurt.
The rest of the reviews are enthusiastic. All visitors celebrate the magnificent sea and beaches, beautiful sunsets and interesting excursions. Jordan has something to please their guests. All aspects of tourist activities here are developed and are at a high level.
