Medical Assistance - Medical services are excellent in Jordan's larger cities and towns. Most doctors speak English. The larger hotels have a doctor on call and embassies will also suggest a doctor or hospital.
Pharmacies - In Amman all-night pharmacies are listed in local newspapers, but travellers should bring any special medication in case it is not available.
Clothing - Even in summer, evenings can be cool, so a sweater or shawl is advisable.
Food and Drink - There are many fine restaurants offering a wide selection of authentic Arabic food at reasonable prices. Hotels offer a mixed menu of Arabic and Continental cuisine. Dishes to try are the national dish, mansaf, a whole stewed lamb with cooked yogurt sauce served on a bed of rice; musakhan, chicken with onions, olive oil, pine seeds and seasoning cooked in an oven on a thick loaf of Arabic bread; maglouba, a meat or fish and vegetable stew served with rice; and, of course, the basic shish kebab, pieces of lamb, marinated chicken and patties of minced and spiced lamb meat all cooked over a charcoal fire with onions and tomatoes.
Numerous small restaurants offer quick meals, both Arabic and Western "fast food" style, including Kentucky Fried Chicken and Pizza Hut.
Alcohol: Is served in most restaurants and bars in the cities, except during Ramadan (non-Arabs can still get a drink in a hotel).
Water: Three-star hotels or better have their own water filtering systems and it is considered safe to drink. For travellers with delicate stomachs, bottled water is cheap and readily available.
Accommodation - Jordan is well equipped with five and four star hotels throughout the country. Hotel and restaurant prices are controlled by the Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Supply. Government resthouses with sleeping and dining facilities are located at key tourist sites throughout Jordan.
Travel - Royal Jordanian Airlines offers convenient Australian connections 5 times a week and links Amman with many of the capitals of Europe, South Asia and the Arab world. Other air carriers also operate to Amman.
Coming to Jordan by road/ferry - From Syria - cross from Der'a into Ramtha. From Egypt - a car ferry service operates from Nuweiba to Aqaba. Visas should be obtained in advance.There are three border crossings between Jordan and Israel. The Allenby/King Hussein Bridge, located in the Jordan Valley, is open Su-Th 08:00-14:00 and Fr 08:00-12:00. NOTE: NOTE: Prior visas must be arranged and cannot be obtained at the border.
The other two crossings are the Sheikh Hussein crossing in the north close to Lake Tiberias; and the Wadi Araba crossing in the south connecting the Red Sea resorts of Eilat and Aqaba. These are open Su-Th 08:30-24:00 and Fri-Sa 08:00-18:00. At these crossings, visas for most nationalities can be obtained at the border; prior permits are not needed. However, private cars and tour buses cannot cross - travellers must change vehicles upon crossing. NOTE: These hours and regulations are subject to change.Border crossing can be closed without notice.
Transport - Driving is on the right. A current Australian licence and one year’s experience is required. Road signs on the highways are in Arabic and English. Petrol stations and resthouses are at regular intervals. In the city, drivers do not necessarily follow driving rules; horns are used more than turn signals.
Taxis are yellow and plentiful in metropolitan areas. Most have meters. Nearly all drivers speak English. If your taxi does not have a meter, agree a price before beginning your trip. Shared taxis called "services" (pronounced "serveeces") are white and pick up additional passengers until full. They follow a set route. Service drivers are not so likely to speak English. Public buses are inexpensive connecting all areas of the country.
JETT private bus service from Amman to most major tourist destinations.
Major Attractions -
Amman - cosmopolitan capital. Roman ruins, amphitheatre, museums, shopping, dining.
Petra - Nabataean lost city, carved from solid rose-red rock.
Jerash - best preserved of the Roman decapolis cities dating back to the first century BC.
Roman Cities - Jerash, Pella, Um Qais.
Crusader Forts & Desert Castles - Kerak, Shobak, Ajloun, Qasr-l-Hallabat, Qasr Karanah, Qasr Mushatta, Qasr Amra.
Dead Sea - lowest point on earth, thermal spas.
Mt. Nebo, Madaba - religious sites, Byzantine churches, Herod's fortress, Moses' tomb.
River Jordan - baptism site.
Wadi Rum - Arabian desert famous for its Bedouin hospitality and links with Lawrence of Arabia.
Aqaba - Red Sea resort, water sports, coral and exotic fish.
Electricity - 220 AC volts, 50 cycles and requires rounded two-prong plugs.
Communications - Local English language radio, television and newspapers are readily available.
Cultural Considerations - Jordan is primarily a Moslem country, although freedom of all religions is protected. Very revealing clothing is never appropriate, and conservative dress is advisable for both men and women. Shorts are rarely worn by either sex and would be out of place in the downtown areas. Topless sunbathing is prohibited and one-piece swimsuits are preferred, although two-piece swimsuits are accepted at hotels.
Telephone - Telephone services in Jordan are efficient and reliable. Arabic and English directories are available in larger hotels. International direct dialling to most countries from a telephone office or hotel with a three minute minimum charge. Outside Amman public telephones are rare but most small shops and supermarkets will allow you to use their phone for local calls which cost 50 fils. To call a number outside Jordan, dial 00, followed by the country code, area code and the number required. Directory assistance #121 or 640444 for Amman, #131 for the rest of Jordan and #0132 for international numbers. Operators generally speak English.
Holidays - Friday and Saturday are the official weekly days of rest, though many Christian shopkeepers close on Sunday instead.
Islamic religious holiday dates vary by about two weeks every year due to the lunar calendar.
During Ramadan, the holy month of fasting, alcohol is not sold, except to non-Arabs in larger hotels and smoking, eating and drinking in public are prohibited during daylight hours. Many stores, banks and offices open late at 09:00 and close early at 14:00.
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS 2018:
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01 Jan New Years
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30 Mar Good Friday
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02 Apr Easter Monday
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13 Apr Night of Ascension
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01 May Labour Day
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25 May Independence Day
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15 May Start of Ramadan
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15-17 Jun End of Ramadan
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22-24 Aug Feast of Sacrifice
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11 Sep Islamic New Year
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20 Nov Mawlid al-Nabi (Birth of the Prophet)
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25 Dec Christmas Day