Jordan travel tips
The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is a relatively small country situated at the crossroads of the Middle East. Comprising some 92,300 square kilometers (57,354 squares miles), it is bordered on the north by Syria at the east by Iraq, and by Saudi Arabia on the East and South.
Also, to the south one finds the Gulf of Aqaba and the Red Sea, while Israel and Palestine lie to the west. Jordan’s diverse terrain and landscape belay its actual size, demonstrating a variety usually found only in large countries.
5.16 millions unhabitants.
The local currency is the Jordanian Dinar, symbol JD. The Dinar is divided into 100 Piasters (pronounced “pee-aster”) or 1000 fils (“fills”). There are 5, 10, 20 & 50 JD notes commonly used, and you will usually see prices written as 4.750, that is 4 JD and 750 fils. Coins come in the following denominations: 2.5, 5, 10, 25 and 50 piasters; and in 10 fils. It is useful to carry some coins and low denominations since Jordanians rarely carry enough change for larger denominations.
Currency can be exchanged at major banks and at most hotels. Street moneychangers are best avoided. The Jordanian Central Bank sets exchange rates daily.
From October through March, Jordan is two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time; the rest of the year, it is three hours ahead of GMT. Jordan is seven hours ahead of US Eastern Time.
Most Jordanians work a five and half-day week with Thursday afternoon and all day Friday off, but business and shopping hours are flexible. Some establishments are open from 09:30 – 13:30 and again from 15:30 – 18:00; others may be open straight through the day, from 08:00 – 20:00.
Government offices are open from 08:00 – 15:00. All businesses and most shops, other than those in the souqs, are closed on Fridays. Banks are open from 08:00 – 15:30. Having Friday and Saturday off, airlines, travel agencies and many shops close for the afternoon, although department stores and supermarkets remain open. Some businesses and shops are closed for part of the day on Sunday. Shopping hours are flexible. Some shops are open from 9:30-13:30 and 15:30-18:00. Others may be open long hours, from 8:00-20:00. Shorter hours prevail during the Holy Month of Ramadan.
Jordan is blessed with a Mediterranean climate for pleasurable year-round travel. Amman is sunny and cloudless from May to October, with average temperatures around 23°C. Springtime brings optimal weather, lush with greenery, and autumn equally mild and pleasant. July and August are hot and dry but not oppressive. Because of the capital city’s elevation, evenings are cool. Aqaba and the Jordan Valley are ideal winter resorts, with temperature averaging 16-22°C (61-72°F) between November and April. There is very little rain in the Aqaba area and in the desert.