Staying Safe in Jordan

by Jamie McCabe
(London, United Kingdom)

Given that Jordan shares land borders with Syria to the north, Iraq to the north-east, Saudia Arabia to the south and Israel and Palestine to the west, one could be forgiven for wondering whether it is a safe place for tourists to go right now. Despite its location at the heart of the volatile Middle East, Jordan is actually a very safe place to visit and travel around, attracting an estimated 3.5 million tourists each year from outside of the region.

Photo provided by Brian Harrington Spier - Flickr

Tourism is an important sector within the Jordanian economy, so visitors are generally very well catered for and their safety is taken seriously by the authorities.

Jordan has several major tourists attractions, including Dead Sea, the River Jordan and the world-famous Petra, an incredible city carved into sheer rock-face. A remarkable feat of engineering dating from 2000 years ago, Petra is a one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and featured in the movie 1989 “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade”. Jordan’s small-but-beautiful stretch of coastline at Aqaba is also a major draw for scuba-divers from around the world.

Before leaving for Jordan, check your vaccination status: while no vaccinations are legally required to travel to Jordan (except a ‘yellow fever’ jag in some instances) it is recommended that you are protected against Diptheria, Tetanus and Polio, plus hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, typhoid and rabies. Should you fall ill, Jordan has excellent hospitals and clinics and all doctors in Jordan speak English, but healthcare is expensive, so ensure you have comprehensive medical insurance in place. It’s also always a good idea to check the prevailing security situation before leaving for any international destination, so check the latest travel advice being issued by your government.

Jordan is an Islamic country and, while it is regarded as one of the more liberal nations in the region, all visitors should be mindful of local customs at all times. Women are free to wear regular Western clothing in Jordan without a lot of hassle, however, modest dress (covering the legs and shoulders) is always required when visiting religious or historical sites. Westerners should take time to research local customs, rather than unwittingly fall foul of the law: public displays of affection are not seen as acceptable, consenting sex between unmarried couples is regarded as adultery, punishable with a jail term, and same-sex couples should think carefully before travelling in Jordan.

The biggest threats to your health and safety while in Jordan are likely the roads (which can be chaotic) and the sun (which puts more tourists in hospital than anything else), so take special care with both! With a wide range of excellent hotels in Amman to choose from, Jordan is a destination well worth a visit.