Is It Safe To Travel To Jordan – Teddy’s Middle East Adventure

I booked 2 sets of lights on Black Friday within hours of each other. The first was Lanzarote flying back from Fuerteventura and the second was a return flight to Amman Jordan.

Is it safe in Jordan? It was funny how many times people asked me this when I told them I was coming here.

I suppose being so close to Israel and Palestine this is understandable. I may even be heading out that way but as for Jordan? I can only share my own experience but for now I guess I would yes I believe it is.

Getting to My Hostel

Visiting the Roman Colloseum

At the hostel 2 things my host suggested I could do for free with my Jordan Pass in Amaan were the Roman Colloseum and Citadel.

I got to the Colloseum after a 40 minute walk. It was easy enough to find using Google maps from my hostel.

Inside is 2 mueseum display rooms on each side with various relics of the past from Jordanian culture.

There is a cool display of old guns which I thought was quite cool and some very scary looking dummys too.

The Colloseum arena itself, one thing I will say after climbing up all the steps here looking down after is actually frightening. Regarding the question is it safe to travel to Jordan well – I think this place could very dangerous if you fall off lol

If you do climb up be sure to mind your step – especially on the way down.

Anyway…

Finding My Way Up To The Roman Citadel

This is quite funny really. I wanted to see both the Citadel and Colloseum on the day. Prior to coming I thought I’d have to use Google maps to find both but whilst at the Colloseum I could see the Citadel in the distance and realized it was just a case of taking the stairs up the hill. I basically just kept making my way up and never really bothered to trouble myself with going the same way as everyone else.

It was probably not the most safe way to get up here but I did and I definitely had a laugh when I noticed the public gates with security guards and police.

Exploring Hercules Temple and The Mosque

So regardless of how I got in here – I had a Jordan Pass – I didn’t need to sneak in here lol. It would have been free but anyway – it is an amazing place. If anyone thinks its only Petra that has all the unbelievable ancient sites they couldn’t be more wrong.

I was so glad I come to see both places. It was quite a walk up but whilst I’m still young and fit enough to do this I definitely relish in this.

The Citadel itself gives a great view over the city. The structures here are just so fascinating. You think how old they really are? You just have so many questions in your head. The mueseum here is worth a look around as well and you have facilities up here like a coffee shop and toilets etc.

My Next Day in Amman

I shamefully, didn’t get out of bed until about 11AM. On a usual day having a lye in is pretty difficult with the nearby mosques and in my case the church too that likes to ring its bells on the regular.

But as it was Monday nothing. No alarm basically and as I was on the top bunk climbing back down felt like a bit of a chore.

I got out around 12:15. My plan was to make my way to Amman Beach / The Dead Sea. If you Google online they have some instructions to get here bit they are pretty rubbish.

This is on the tourist Jordan site and honestly maybe I’m wrong but don’t even bother following these instructions.

Instead use 12go.Asia book your Jett bus on there and make sure you get up early enough to catch it.

Search for buses from Amman to The Dead Sea.

Visiting Rainbow Street

OK, so I never ended up going to the dead sea on this day. Instead I headed off down King Huessein St. toward all the shops the same as the previous day. I didn’t have a plan really to go anywhere – I thought about revisiting the Citadel but I decided just to go to Rainbow Street after seeing some of the hanging decorations.

My first stop was a tea shop where I stayed for maybe an hour and a half. Here I was reading a blog about Things to do In Rainbow Street and I see once place to visit was the La Calle / Cromer Pub. This was not a good idea.

Getting Drunk at the La Calle Pub

I said I wouldn’t drink on this trip but after asking for zero alcohol beer and being left disappointed I decided I would brave it and just have a normal beer. I should have known what would happen here – I had 1 and this led to 8 I think it was.

The worst part was when I actually see enough sense to go the heavens decided to open. It seems to be everytime I go away this happens and it never only just rains it pours down.

If only I’d gone earlier because upon leaving I was approached by a driver who had the mad idea to take me to a club.

Spending Money I Didn’t Want To Spend

So I did actually say to this driver that I didn’t have money. He kept saying no its OK and he would get me a beer but it really felt more like a trap.

I sat down and a girl sat next to me and started talking to me. Maybe you can kind of get the picture. As good looking as she was I knew what was going on so I made my excuse to go – was fully prepared to walk off in the torrential rain it was that bad but I wasn’t allowed to leave without paying 20 JOD which really I didn’t like as I only had 1 beer.

Although they was nice enough to book a taxi for me. Another 25 JOD although I really just wanted to get back so I gladly paid.

Getting Stuck out In The Rain

So this was not the end of my problems that night. The taxi dropped me off round the corner and I went the wrong way and the rain was so heavy that I ended up sliding the gate open of the church here and taking shelter under a part of the back area.

I was here for maybe half hour before a friend online talked some sense into me to make another effort to get back to my hostel.

By some weird stroke of luck the rain had stopped just long enough for me to get back and warm up inside.

Travelling To My Hostel In Petra

So, there is a good deal on the 12go.asia app. 25 JOD transfer from your hostel / hotel in Amman to your hostel / hotel in Petra. It was very convenient for me to not have to rush about with my sore head after going to bed late the night before. Although because of the weather we were late leaving.

This was followed by another delay waiting for another passenger to get through customs.

A good point to add is to make you book your Jordan Pass through the correct website as some are not legit.

Escaping The Eye of the Desert Storm

After stopping for a meal it was back on the road again and the weather was not improving. In fact, the closer we got to Petra the more our transport had to content with the heavy winds. Not quite what you’d call a hurricane or tornado but it definitely felt a bit extreme travelling through it.

Arriving In Petra

I got into the Nomads Hostel in Wadi Musa Petra fairly late. The weather was still pretty horrific so I stayed in for all the first night and the next day.

For 15 JOD I got breakfast in the morning and dinner at night. The good thing was they agreed to charge to my room upon checkout. They are very good here like that but anyhow as the weather was not good my first full day in Petra I I didn’t leave the hostel and pretty much spent the whole day blogging.

This was my dinner on this day;

The first course was a vegetable soup, followed by Jordanian Salty Yoghurt, Rice, Chicken and Salad (Mansaf). For Pudding I had a Magalabia (Jordanian Milk Pudding).

My First Day Visiting The Petra Valley and Mountains

After not leaving the hotel the day before it was nice to go for breakfast and to finally see the sun shining from out the window.

On this day I had no excuse it was time for me to come out and explore the ancient site of Petra.

So, first of all there was the walk down from the Nomads Hotel where I was staying. This was a steep descent but I cut through to where the horse stables are I was told to head to the ticket office and get my Petra Pass.

I was almost ripped off here in one of the shops when I asked for an ATM to withdraw some cash. I didn’t realise till after that there was an ATM only 30 seconds away. It was lucky I didn’t buy the scarf they tried to sell me.

After this I head towards the horses and was persuaded here by one of the Bedouins to take a ride. He said it was free with a Jordan Pass but it really was not. I ended up paying 20 JOD once I got off the horse and I had another Bedouin before this try to get me on another tour – it was quote annoying as the 50 JOD I had for the day was going a bit too quick for my liking.

Entering The Siq Towards The Treasury in Petra Valley

I really was quite glad to see the back of the Horseman. 20 JOD I thought was fair but it seemed like I could have walked here just as easy. In a way I’d rather have saved the 20 JOD but anyhow…

After this was really when It started getting Interesting. I mean actually seeing the Bedouin Caves on the way was quite fascinating but seeing all the rock formations was quite something else as well.

And this was before I really started seeing the temples and the famous structures that Petra is best known for such as the Treasury pictured below.

It was very much so one thing after another after this. I think I maybe thought this first place (The Treasury) was the main thing here but it really isn’t.

I continued on from here and there was plenty of different places to explore. Lots of walking but I don’t mind it – I know the exercise is good for me and what better motivation than to explore.

Arriving At The Urn Tomb

I think I climbed up a couple of sets of stairs before I stumbled upon the royal tomb of King Malchus II. When you get up here it is great just to look out in front to see what’s ahead such as the Roman Theater and other ruins.

After making my way back down there were 3 different paths I had the option of taking – one way goes to the ed-dier Monastery.

Another goes up to… and then there is a trail you can follow which I think you can take towards the site of the Byzantine Church and shuttle bus but where I ended up was really quite silly.

Getting Lost On My Way to Umm Sayhoun (Bedouin Village)

This was another case of why I shouldn’t get too brave sometimes. My logic was that I could see a town ahead and I automatically just assumed this was where I was staying in Wadi Musa.

Bit of a long walk (I thought) and if I just head towards where I could see the buildings then I would get here back to where I was staying.

I was way off the mark as I would eventually find out that this was not Wadi Musa but Umm Sayhoun *The Bedouin Village).

It was quite silly of me really because I was told on the way that I wasn’t going the right direction and they did say something about the Bedouin village but I just kept going. Even though the more I walked the more It was getting difficult.

It actually felt like I was in real trouble until I noticed a group of Bedoiuns shouting over telling me to wait.

I was actually very relieved when I met the one who come over called Mohammed. Part of me was a bit nervous about it all but I accepted the Donkey ride back and before I knew it I was with Mohammed at his house in Umm Sayhoun drinking tea and water.

Arriving in Umm Sayhoun

It was quite funny how I started my day on horseback and ended up on a donkey. The Bedouin Mohammed who come and got me didn’t only just get me back to his village but he also invited me to stay for dinner with his family.

The food Mohammeds wife made for us was a Maqualaba (upside down plate). This was shared between the 3 of us – me, him and one of his young sons. From what I could tell his this was made with chicken, Pilau rice, potatoes and vegetables – carrots, onions and eggplant I think.

I stayed at Mohammeds house for a good while from the the time I got there. He even offered to let me sleep over but in the end he called for a friend to take me back to Wadi Musa.

I was quite desperate to get back really

at this point but before I left I did agree to going on a tour with him the next day.

Riding A Donkey Up to Ed-Deir Monastery from Umm Sayhoun

I have to say really I wasn’t too fond of the idea of having to get to the Bedouin Village for 8AM. I really struggle with sleep anxiety and knowing I have to wake up early usually means my body clock is going haywire the night before but actually it was good to have a reason to get out early. I got to Umm Sayhoun around 9AM – later than planned but it was still no issue.

I felt a bit like a child again after setting off. Just the idea of riding a donkey like a cowboy through the desert.

Of course I did ride a donkey the day before but this was for much longer. The Monastery is quite a way to go on foot. You will see many tired tourists who have walked the whole way here.

Many Bedouins try to catch people by the Urn Tomb to offer a ride here. I think maybe about 70 JOD is fair. Although if you are up for walking maybe just try to make a day of it.

Arriving at The Al-Dayr Monastery

There are about 6 names I think for this Monastery – Al-Dayr, Ed-Deir, El-Deir, Ad-Deir etc. they are all the same place. I would say it is something that really boggles the mind. The sheer size of it and how it was built. This is a huge structure and the detail of the ornamental features so high up you doubt how someone could have actually built this.

I was here for a good hour. It was a pretty long ride here and back to the Bedouin Village. Before we left to go back we stopped at the Urn Tomb and the Byzantine Church before meeting up with Mohammeds Wife on the way stopping for tea around a fire.

After this it was back to Umm Sayhoun for dinner. On this day Mohammeds Wife made Mansaf and I can’t remember quite what the meat was but this was quite similar to the Maqualaba but was with Peanuts. I know Mansaf is often with Goat. Mohammed told me that when a lot of Bedoiuns get together they have a Mansaf with a goats head in the middle of the plate. Fortunately I didn’t get this pleasure.

After this it was back to my hostel and although I was concerned about my finances earlier on since then I had managed to sort things out and as I did I agreed to Mohammeds offer for a 2nd tour on the next day to the Aaron Tomb.

Riding a Donkey Up the Mountain To The Aaron Tomb

Well, I have to admit that I wasn’t overly excited about coming here. It didn’t seem much like one of the ancient monuments you’d expect to find in Jordan but I was up for the trip there and back and I was quote pleasantly surprised.

At times riding the Donkey Up and down some places was a bit scary. I never realised that we were essentially climbing a mountain and I really didn’t want to fall off.

I actually kind of did lol when inwas getting off but by this time we had reached the tomb and it was very nice. We stopped for tea with one group and we had a picnic with another.

The views were incredible it felt like I was on the highest piece of land I’ve ever been on. Possibly Mt. Etna was higher up but this was like something else.

It was a good day. Even after this it was quite interesting. We met up with another group of Bedouins and stopped for tea round a fire. What I found most Incredible was just all the Caves we went past that some of the Bedouins live in. At least one looked like an old temple. It is so vast Petra and its discoveries yet to be made are definitely out there.

I can not imagine what this was like 1000s of years ago. In my own thinking I wonder if a pre flood advanced civilization could have lived here because some of the rocks look like they could have been underwater.

My Last Day and a 1/2 In Petra

For the next day after this I didn’t go out except to eat and check out the museum. I kind of just wanted to relax and that night upstairs the hostel showed the new Dune movie.

I never took a particular Interest in this before but one thing I found out was that this movie was filmed in Wadi Rum which was exactly where I was off to the next day.

Heading to stay In a Bedouin Camp in Wadi Rum – my next stop

I decided on coming to Wadi Rum whilst I was having lunch with the Bedouins at the top of the Aaron Tomb.

I did consider Egypt based on the idea that it is just 45 JOD to get here from Amman on the coach but I decided not to when I see there were no cheap flights back to Luton from here.

So, I thought why not check out Wadi Rum? It’s mad really because I see with hostelworld it was just £2 a night at the Muhammed Mutalek camp where I stayed and it was a pretty cool place.

If you are into Star Gazing you can see the most clear Starry sky here on a good night. Absolutely stunning.

What I Did Over 2 Days in Wadi Rum

Besides the breakfast and dinner I went on 2 tours here. One Day out in a jeep and the next day out on a camel. Both days me and the group see the sunset from the same place.

Unfortunately the 2nd it was a bit too cloudy but picture above from the first day this view was incredible.

An interesting fact about this place – according to one of the Bedouins this is only about 15km away from the Saudi Arabian border and hom and the group often ride here on their Camels – which they also race apparently as professional sportsmen.

Heading Back to Amman

I was kind of sad to leave the Bedouin Camp. Even though I spent a lot of time here in my tent it still had some great moments. Every day here I see the sunset and it was so peaceful. It was unfortunately a bit too cloudy on the last night but the 2 nights before wow. Seeing the stars so clearly it really was special. I see 2 shooting stars too which I really was surprised by.

Anyway, still it was nice to get back to Amman because the tent was very cold to sleep in at night.

I didn’t do much back in Amman. Went to eat in a couple places and had tea at a cafe overlooking the Roman Theater.

Besides this there was only one main thing I ended up doing.

Taking a Day Trip To The Dead Sea Spa Hotel

This was something I thought of doing before I left for Petra but on the day I just ended getting drunk in Rainbow St. Instead. I didn’t realise that to get here you do have to get out early so this time around this is what I did.

I paid 17 JOD for a round trip return with Jett Bus and I think there were a few places I could have gone to but on the bus another guy from the UK I overheard saying about stopping at the Dead Sea Spa Hotel so I got off the bus with him and paid 35 JOD for a day pass with an all you can eat buffet lunch.

I was glad I choose to do this I didn’t spend nowhere near as much time as I would have liked soaking up the sun in Jordan. Most the time I was wearing a coat and jumper because especially in the mornings and later on it was actually pretty cold here but this was not the case going to the beach by the dead sea. It was lovely just getting in my shorts and jumping for a swim although I soon found out that I really didn’t need to swim at all as I found myself floating on top of the water.

It felt a bit slimy in the water and getting the salt in my eyes really stung but I definitely visit again.

I had to leave here at 4:30pm as I was getting picked up by the bus. I really needed a shower after this. My scalp was so itchy from the salt water. I really should have had a proper shower after whilst here so that is my tip – bring shower gel lol

Also, you will see many people here using the free mud mask – this is very funny to see.

My Last Morning In Jordan 2026

And just like that it was time to leave. Fortunately I had plenty of time for catching my flight at 4:30PM back to Luton. Although, one thing that could have caused me some trouble. On Uber I selected Amman airport. I got in the taxi but the driver said what one?

I never realised there is a second airport here for private and domestic flights. (Amman Civil Airport).

This was not where I was flying back from and after realising it cost me an extra 20 JOD on top of the 5 JOD I originally agreed to pay but at least I was finally at the right airport (Queen Alia) and was all ready to head back home.

I only had one real problem with Wizz Air on the flight back. Same as on the way here they would not accept any of my cards. It was a long flight and I had to go all the way with no food or drink.

In Conclusion

I had a lot of people saying before I went to Jordan that I must be mad coming here with everything that has been happening in Israel / Palestine.

My initial plan was to go to Morocco (again) but I see the deal for £100 return from Amman and I think it was a Facebook post I see a couple years back. Someone I knew who passed away posted about how hed love to go to Jordan and this kind of made me think about this – I can come here and do what he never got the chance to.

Also, Petra of course that was a big reason to come here. I actually forgot this was one of the seven wonders of the world so I am very glad I come here. Although, now It has made me think I know need to see the other 5 lol

If I Would Come Back?

Finally, I would say yes I would come back. It would be nice to see Aqaba and I really wouldn’t mind crossing over to Egypt or dare I say it Israel from here.

I’m not in a mad rush to come back here again but I would say it’s probably only a matter of time and I miss the Donkeys lol.

I shall finish up this blog here but if you have enjoyed reading leave us a comment in the comments section below.