Basics

Time

Jordan Standard Time: Jordan Time = GMT+2 Time Zone.
Jordan Summer Time: Jordan Summer Time = GMT+3.
Does Jordan operate Daylight saving (summer) Time?
Jordan switches to Daylight-Saving Time which is 3 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT+3) by local decree.
Daylight Saving Time (summer time) is in effect from 00:00 on the last Thursday in March until 01:00 on last Friday in October.

Electricity

220 volts AC, 50 cycles. An adaptor, generally 3-pronged, is necessary.

Money

The basic unit of currency in Jordan is the dinar, typically called JD (Jordanian dinar) in the expat community. (Note that some other countries in the region call their currency dinar also). The exchange rate of the dinar changes little, if at all, against the US dollar, unless the government of Jordan decides to revalue or devalue. The rate has been JD .708 per US$1.00 (JD 1.000 = US$1.412) for some time. Convert your money to Jordanian Dinar (JOD). This is the official currency of Jordan. The symbol for JOD can be written JD. The Jordanian Dinar is divided into 1000 filsThe government is in the process of phasing out fils coinage. Older coins say fils, newer coins of the same size say the equivalent number of piastres. The older fils coins do not have numerals on them. The value is written in English script but can be very difficult to read. Learn the sizes. The newer piastre or qirsh coins do have Arabic numerals (that is the number as written by Arabs), plus the value spelled out in English. This will help you learn the Arabic numerals for 1, 5 and 0. Coins come in 1 dinar, 1/2 dinar, 1/4 dinar, 100 fils (10 piasters), 50 fils (5 piasters), 25 fils (2.5 piasters), and 10 fils (1 piaster). Paper money comes in 1/2, 1, 5, 10 and 20 dinar denominations. They vary in size and color, but it is possible to mix up the 1 and 10 if you are not careful

Foreign currencies can be exchanged easily in banks and other places change. Most hotels also provide exchange facilities. The daily exchange rates are published in local newspapers.

Language

Arabic is the official language of Jordan and is spoken by all Jordanians. English is widely used in government and business circles. Arabic and English are compulsorily taught in schools. Expand your horizons and learn a Middle Eastern language. The official language of Jordan is Arabic, All Jordanians, regardless of ethnicity or religion; speak Arabic, the official language of Jordan. However many people in Jordan also speak English, so you won't have to hire a translator.

The other languages found in the land are French, German, Italian, Spanish, Tagalog and Sinhala. The Circassia community has retained Circassia language to this day apart from speaking Arabic.

Passport /Visa Note

Passport valid for six months required by all nationals referred

All visitors require an entry visa and a passport valid for at least six months from the date of departure. Citizens of Australia, Canada, USA, UK and other EEC countries can pick up a visa at their point of entry. The visa fee is payable in Jordanian currency. All other nationals must apply via the Jordanian Embassy in their country prior to travel.

You need an entry visa to Jordan. You can obtain single entry visas, valid for one month, on arrival at any port of entry, except for the King Hussein Bridge at the Jordan/Israel border. A single entry visa costs 10 Jordanian Dinars.

If you wish to visit Israel and the Palestinian Authority during your visit, it is better to obtain a multiple entry visa before departure from the Embassy of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in your country.

If you would like a multiple entry visa you can only apply for this at Jordanian diplomatic missions abroad.

You can extend your visa up to three months at any police station after your arrival. You are allowed to extend your stay in Jordan for a maximum period of six months. If you do not extend the validity of your visa, and stay in Jordan after your visa expires you will be fined 1.5 Jordanian Dinars for each day you overstay.

Travel Health

Modern medical care and medicines are generally available in the principal cities of Jordan. We strongly advise travelers to carry medical evacuation insurance.

Inoculations are not required unless you are travelling from an infected location. If you come from a country where diseases such as cholera and yellow fever are prevalent, you will have to show a certificate of inoculation at your point of entry into Jordan. Although not required, it is preferable to have preventative shots against polio, tetanus and typhoid.

Jordan is one of the cleanest and safest countries, but it is nonetheless advisable to take some precautions until your digestive system adjusts. Hotels rated four-star and up have their own filtering systems, and their tap water is safe to drink. In other places, bottled water is recommended. All fruit and vegetables should be washed thoroughly, and salads and cold meats which have been sitting out for a long time should be avoided, especially during summer months. All Jordanian dairy products are pasteurized and safe.

Medical services are well developed throughout Jordan, with a medical centre or clinic in every town and village. There are hospitals in Amman, Aqaba, Ma'an, Karak, Madaba, Zarqa, Irbid and Ramtha. In the larger towns and cities many of the doctors have been trained overseas and speak English. Antibiotics and other drugs normally sold on prescription in the West are often available over-the-counter in Jordan. You should carry prescriptions of any medicaments you may need, making sure you have the generic name as your specific brand may not be available. If you wear glasses, bring a spare pair and a copy of the prescription as well.

Tipping

Hotel bills in the large Jordanian cities include a 16% service charge. If a service charge hasn't been added at a restaurant, a 16% tip is expected. City Guides and their drivers also expect a small tip and tipping in bars and nightclubs is common.

Business

Most Jordanians work five days a week with Friday and Saturday off, but business and shopping hours are flexible. Some establishments are open from 9:30 - 13:30 and again from 15:30 to 18:00. Others may be open straight through the day, from 08:00 to 20:00.

Government offices are open from 08:30 - 15:00. All businesses and most shops, other than those in the souqs, are closed on Fridays. During the Holy Month of Ramadan, working hours are more flexible and generally shorter.

Friday is the weekly holiday. Banks, government offices and most businesses are closed on Friday and Saturdays as well. Many businesses, including airline offices, travel agencies and some shops also close on Thursday afternoon, although department stores and supermarkets remain open. A few businesses and shops close for some of Sunday.

Communications

The international access code for Jordan is +962. When calling Jordan from abroad, the initial zero on the area code must not be omitted .Phone booths in airports and major hotels usually take Amex or Visa cards but are generally much more expensive than street phones. Mobile phones work in most large towns and cities. Internet access is available at hotels, Internet cafes throughout the major towns and cities.

• Touch down at the Amman en Alia Airport. This is the closest international airport to the capital city of Amman, Jordan. There is a comprehensive Duty and Tax Free offering in the airside areas with open access. It is a major airport that offers travelers restaurants, a post office, gift shops and local transportation options. (Shopping Facilities, Restaurants and Bars, Business Services, Banking Services, Lounges, Medical Facilities, Transportation, Disabled Facilities, Car Parking)
• Rent a car or hail a cab. In Jordan you can hire cheap cars. Your best options for getting to your hotel are to rent a car or to take a taxi.
• Stay close to the airport. If you don't want to drive or take a cab to your accommodations, then you can stay at a hotel that is located close to the Amman-Queen Alia Airport.
• Become an explorer! If you are interested in archeology or anthropology, then you may want to look for accommodations in or near Old Town, Amman. What you are looking foe? Here you will find the National Archaeological Museum, a Roman Amphitheater and the Citadel. The Jordan Archaeological Museum was built in 1951 on the Citadel Hill in Amman.
• If you are an art or music lover, then you may want to find accommodations near the Maisons Satie. This historic home of musician and artist, inside you will be given a tour of the home, and you will be introduced to the amazing pieces of art and music that this man created.