Impressions about Jordan. And also advice for those who wish to visit this country.
More than a year has passed since I visited Jordan (since November 2005), but I still remember this country with admiration and respect.
Jordan was chosen for travel for several reasons:
1) There is something to see: the city of Petra, which can confidently be called the Wonder of the World, the Wadi Rum desert, the place of the baptism of Jesus Christ, Roman cities and other attractions.
2) A striking contrast in everything, in comparison with Russia (religion, customs, people).
3) Red Sea.
4) Dead Sea.
5) Quite an exotic country, which few people have been to.
6) Safe country.
The individual tour consisted of three stopping points: the Dead sea spa **** hotel at the Dead Sea (3 days), then the Silk Way hotel *** in Petra (2 days), and the Aquamarina2 hotel *** in Aqaba, on the Red Sea coast (10 days). Living conditions in the hotel *** are normal, in the hotel **** - good. I had nothing to complain about.
The price of the voucher (38 thousand rubles) included the flight Moscow-Amman-Moscow, accommodation and breakfasts in hotels, transfer (car with a driver) from the hotel to the hotel, as well as excursions planned in an individual tour (all described in this story, except for the Wadi Rum desert). The excursion tickets were purchased independently. The prices are not high (1-5 dinars, 1 dinar is about 30 rubles.) Expensive only Petra and the Wadi Rum desert, but it's worth it.
1. Country. People.
Jordan is considered a safe country with a low crime rate, in contrast to its "violent neighbors" with whom it manages to maintain friendly relations. Let me remind you: Jordan borders with Israel, Iraq, Syria, Saudi Arabia.
Egypt is nearby, its cities (like Israel) are clearly visible on the other side of the Gulf of the Red Sea. However, the lawlessness (theft, begging, harassment, etc.), which vacationers in modern Egypt talk about, is completely inapplicable for Jordan. But everything is in order.
Probably, the main thing that determines the appearance of the country and the mentality of its inhabitants is religion. There is Islam in Jordan, and that says it all. Tourists visiting this country should understand that any behavior that goes beyond the limits of local decency, even on their part, will be severely condemned. It is not advisable for a woman to appear alone, walk the streets of the city in short skirts, with open arms. Otherwise, you can pass for a prostitute. By the way, girls of easy virtue once met by chance, on the beach of the Aquamarina hotels, Russian and Ukrainian. They looked funny.
It is better for men not to drink alcohol on the street, in front of everyone, it can offend local residents. And, which is very important, try not to coincide with the Muslim fast, during which it is forbidden to eat, drink and have fun during the daytime.
The Jordanians seemed to me to be modest and intelligent people. Of course, a woman without a covered head cannot cause indifference, but no one grabbed me by the arms. On the contrary, they were afraid to accidentally touch. For example, when they helped get into the car, and under other circumstances.
One day I had to take a local bus that picked me up on the highway when returning from the desert to Aqaba. All the way the passengers drove in silence, no one even began to whisper. After a while, an Arab girl sitting by the window next to me, all wrapped in black, got up and politely asked in good English if I was getting out at the next stop. I was very surprised.
In one of the shops I met a Russian who married a Jordanian, we chatted a little. She lives in abundance, is happy with life. She said, in particular, that the level of education of women is growing in Jordan, now one of the advantages of a bride is that she has a higher education (at least in the future).
Every Jordanian taxi driver spits in English so that any of ours will envy. In addition, Jordanians speak French and German well. Keep in mind that in Jordan, a woman is supposed to sit in the back seat of a car, and Arabs are jealous of this. The drivers are very punctual, polite and pleasant to talk to. Only one thing - the Jordanians do not like Jews. Better to say that they are Russian, they will immediately start smiling, nodding their heads and saying something like "Russia from very good country, Putin from very good president." Jordan is very respectful of our country.
The people in Jordan are hospitable and grateful. You go into the store - they will treat you to tea with lemon balm, just like that, even if you don't buy anything, but again you just say that it is from Russia (all the more, they always ask where from).
I took with me a few nesting dolls, stone souvenirs, and presented them to the drivers who took them on excursions. In return, I received gifts in return, although I did not count on them at all.
2. Dead Sea.
For those who have never been to the Dead Sea, I advise you to devote a few days to it, or even evenings. The Dead Sea is not for long, and there is no entertainment on the coast, except for sunbathing. During the day, the best pastime is on excursions.
On the territory of the hotel "Dead sea spa" it is quiet, calm, the age of guests is about 40-50 years old. Mostly tourists come for treatment. The restaurant serves delicious food (buffet). The hotel is decent, beautiful. Service is ok. Compared to Israel, vacationing at the Dead Sea is somewhat cheaper.
In the sea, you have to be careful, salt in your eyes stings unbearably. In the early days, you can, through negligence, scratch all your feet, stepping and falling on the sharp salt stones at the bottom. The stones, in general, lie closer to the coast, when entering the sea. And in the depths - healing mud. Tourists are happily smeared with this mud from head to toe. By the way, the blacker the dirt, the better. And it's not so easy to get it: you can't dive, and it's almost impossible to stand, as the water pushes you to the surface.
But after a while, you will get used to it and enjoy swaying in the warm sea water in the evenings, admiring the stars in the sky, the lights of Israel on the horizon, and realizing that you are at the lowest point of the planet, and your body rejuvenates under the influence of healing minerals. An unforgettable experience.
From the hotel, it is convenient and close to go on excursions such as the Roman cities of Um Qays and Jerash (1 day) and to holy places - to the place of the baptism of Christ, Mount Nebo, to Madaba (1 day).
In general, it is much more convenient and comfortable to travel on excursions in an individually allocated car with a driver than with a group on a bus, given that there are practically no Russian guides in Jordan.
The first tour of the Roman cities is very impressive. The cities are well preserved, there are few tourists, so you get the feeling that you are entering the past, walking along the huge streets with typical Roman columns. I advise you to see Um-Qays first, and then Jerash. On the way, you can drive through the Jordanian capital Amman, a very modern city. Many women walk here without headscarves and burqas, and drive cars. More such "immodesty" is not observed in any city of Jordan. The so-called "wealthy quarter" in Amman strikes with houses that look like oriental palaces.
A tour of the holy places is interesting, I advise you to visit. The territory of modern Jordan is the former Palestine, on which Jesus Christ walked. He was baptized, as you know, on the Jordan River, after which the country is named. By the way, the Jordanians respect the Christian faith, as I understood from the behavior of the locals. Christian churches, the place of baptism itself are kept clean, restoration work of Christian monuments is underway.
At the site of the baptism of Jesus Christ, it is surprisingly quiet: there are no merchants, only occasionally small groups of tourists wander around. Border guards will meet you at the Jordan River (Israel is just a stone's throw away). They look more curiously than cautiously. I gave one of the border guards a coin of 10 rubles. depicting a Soviet soldier in a helmet. At first the Jordanian got nervous, wanted to return, thought it was a bribe. But the guide explained to him that it was a gift, had practically no monetary value :) As a result, the border guard was satisfied and even took a picture with me :)
After the Place of Baptism, they are taken along a "serpentine" to Mount Nebo, from which, according to legend, the Prophet Moses saw the Promised Land. Indeed, from the top of the mountain, the view is magnificent, in clear weather you can even see Jerusalem. After the mountain - to Madaba, the so-called "city of mosaics". The tour of museums and temples with mosaic floors and walls itself did not impress me, but considering that Madaba is part of a general tour of holy places, time is not a pity. In Madaba, you can walk a little around the city, look at Jordan, so to speak, from the inside. Narrow deserted streets, where from time to time you come across open shoe workshops, sewing, as in ancient times. Local residents look with interest at foreign tourists, but do not allow themselves anything superfluous, even exclamations.
3. Petra
On the way to Petra, the driver, on his own initiative, just like that, disinterestedly, brought the crusaders Shobak to the castle. Walking around the castle is free, so the inside is not very clean and well-groomed. Still, it impresses with its preserved beauty.
Petra is the pride of Jordan. Probably the same as the Kremlin for Moscow. Petra is a city in the rocks, which was built by the Nabateans, then conquered by the Romans. The city remained lost until 1812. You can admire for a long time, but you will not understand if you do not see. I think that Petra needs to be devoted to 2 full days, and the entrance ticket for 2 days is sold at a big discount. You can't go around all the sights in one day, there will still be a feeling of understatement. I met a Russian who came to Jordan for the second time with her children only to go to the end of Petra. Petra leaves no one indifferent. In one of the films about Indiana Jones, the protagonist finds the grail in a wonderful temple, which shockingly opens to the eye at the exit from a dark gorge. The footage was filmed in Petra, this is its beginning. But there is still a lot of interesting things in Petra. You can climb the mountain, which is a thousand steps and, standing on the top, admire this ancient city. You can walk admiring the beauty of temples, tombs, palaces carved in the mountains. It is not for nothing that Petra is visited by crowds of tourists from all over the world.
Trade is very active in Petra. Bedouins living here offer their services to tourists - riding camels, donkeys, as well as goods - various handicrafts and decorations. The impression is that they have everything for the same price, everywhere you can hear the cries of “One Dinar! One Dinard! " (One dinar). But I did not see beggars demanding money for free. I was impressed by one little disheveled girl sitting on the ground and, it seems, still can't even speak. She looked like a beggar, but for each coin one could choose the colored stones from the rocks of Petra, laid out in front of her. And I asked two boys to pose for my photo frame, in exchange I gave them a coin. After a while, they caught up with me and presented me with a small souvenir - a magnet with the image of Petra, and invited me to treat myself to tea, which was again very pleasant.
Advice to ladies: never (!) Do not wear high-heeled shoes in Petra. Only comfortable shoes, sneakers are better. Tune in for a long walking tour. After all, you will want to climb the mountains, to the place of sacrifices, to the Monastery. Do not take a lot of heavy things with you. The main thing is comfortable shoes and clothes, a camera, a guidebook, money (to dine, buy water, maybe souvenirs).
In general, the souvenirs that were sold in Petra did not interest me very much. For some reason I bought a necklace made of camel bone, and I never put it on (the smell is specific).
There is an excursion "Night Petra" (a ticket costs 12 dinars), starts late in the evening, the path lies along the gorge to the facade of the Treasury in Petra. Very romantic! I will not tell you the details, otherwise I will reveal all the secrets. I can only say that the guides are in English. But this is not the main thing, the most memorable is the impressions of what he saw.
It is not necessary to take a Russian guide with you to Petra; it is quite possible to get by with the author's guidebook A. Kochneva. The book contains a detailed route, there is a map, it is not difficult to figure it out. By the way, my wish to the author: if you are going to make a new edition of the book, please include more diagrams and pictures.
Petra is a real wonder of the world. Take a trip - you will not regret it.
4. Red Sea. Aqaba.
Aqaba is a port city on the Red Sea coast. Excellent hotels with high quality service have been built here. There are also paid beaches - clean, well-groomed, with good service. By the way, the Aquamarina hotel chain has its own beach, which is a platform made of concrete slabs, and it is impossible to rest on it. There is little space, some "leftists" hang out, and even sports competitions are held against the background of wild shouts of fans. So, residents of the Aquamarina hotel chain should look for a paid beach right away, it's not far away, the cost is 6 dinars (about 180 rubles) per person per day. There is a closed area on the paid beach, there is all the necessary service, waiters.
The Red Sea speaks for itself. Transparent water, colorful fish, all conditions for diving.
The city of Aqaba itself is clean, tidy, with many shops, pastry shops, cafes. You can even walk late at night and not be afraid to dine in local cafes.
5. Wadi Rum Desert
Thrill-seekers and romantics are advised to spend the night in the Wadi Rum Desert. Pink sand, rocks, open spaces ... You can come to the desert from any city by taxi, buy a ticket at the entrance, choose a route. And then go for a drive in a jeep in the desert, stopping in the most interesting places, walk along the dune, admire the sunset ... Many go to the desert just for the sake of sunset. Indeed, an unforgettable sight. The whole desert, the whole sky turns pink-red, and a huge white sun hangs over the rocks .. The feeling is as if you are on Mars. The photos are amazing.
Advice for those traveling to Wadi Rum: bring a lot of warm clothes, especially for the children. It is very, very cold at night, a piercing wind.
The overnight stay for tourists is organized in Bedouin tents in the middle of the desert. Until nightfall, by the light of a fire, Bedouins play national instruments, sing, treat them to dinner and tea. And tourists of different nationalities sit around the fire and relax. Then everyone goes to bed. Of course, the conditions are not a European hotel. The mattresses are right on the sand, but it's pink sand! The wind whistles through the holes in the tent, but the stars are visible! Blankets smell like camels, but this is a desert! This is how Bedouins live and roam. Everything is for real. Just a few hours, and impressions - for a lifetime.
6. Souvenirs
Many bring back handmade colored sand bottles and jewelry as a keepsake. You can take spices, coffee, nuts (it is better to buy in local markets) and, of course, sweets (from the pastry shops themselves). Jordanian sweets are very tasty, unusual, they are sweet cookies, as if baked candies.
If you go to Jordan, take a few nesting dolls with you, I assure you, there will be people to whom you would like to present them. And many will see this miracle for the first time.
Here, in a nutshell, is all about Jordan. The trip left the brightest impressions, from the very first to the last day in this country.
Safety
Jordan is the most stable and secure Arab country in the Middle East. There is almost no crime, police patrols are often found on the streets of cities, but due to the great influence of tribal traditions, the Jordanians themselves maintain order in their settlement, therefore, difficulties in this matter usually do not arise. There are also no interfaith conflicts.
Visa-free transit through Amman
According to the law, a tourist flying in transit through Amman has the right to leave the airport while waiting for a connecting flight and not pay $ 60 for a visa. However, recently, a not entirely legal practice has appeared, when airport employees oblige tourists to book and pay for their stay in one of the expensive hotels adjacent to the airport. Without this, they refuse to issue the so-called "transit coupon", on the basis of which the border guards let you into the city without a visa.
Traveling around the country
There are no restrictions on movement around the country. If you have a visa, no additional permits are required to travel around the country. When traveling around the country, it is recommended that you always have your passport with you in case of a possible document check. This is especially true of the areas bordering Israel, the Dead Sea, the Jordan Valley and the Arava.
Holidays
Muslim holidays are celebrated according to the lunar calendar, which is 10-12 days shorter than the Gregorian one. Official days off are Friday and Saturday, some institutions are closed on Sunday (museums - on Tuesday). Religious holidays such as Eid al-Adha (feast of sacrifice, 3 days), Eid al-Fitr (feast of breaking the fast - 3 days), Mawlid al-Nabawi (birthday of the prophet), Ras al-Sana (Muslim New Year), etc. etc. are also inoperative. In addition, you should pay attention to the fact that on holidays a large number of the local population rushes to Aqaba and the Dead Sea, which is why there are often not enough free places in hotels, and the roads are clogged with vehicles. In addition, during the holidays, a large number of schoolchildren also visit the main attractions, which only adds to the difficulties in getting around.
Religion
Jordan is a Muslim country, so many traditions and customs have a religious connotation, although less noticeable than in most other Islamic countries. Jordanians are naturally very friendly and hospitable, but somewhat unhurried and forgetful. Even if the guest unknowingly shows frank tactlessness, the locals will always explain everything with pleasure and without unnecessary emotions.
During the Muslim fast in the month of Ramadan, the renunciation of all worldly things continues from dawn to dusk. Foreigners are also encouraged to exercise restraint while fasting, especially in public places.
Traditions
Greetings and goodbyes are usually accompanied by a handshake and traditional business questions (questions about personal life, and especially about a spouse, are considered indecent).
Before you photograph someone, be sure to ask permission from the subject. To avoid problems, you should not remove military facilities and transport infrastructure.
Local gestural etiquette is rather complicated, so do not actively gesticulate "in public" - many of our gestures may seem offensive to a local resident. Most of the gestures are done with the right hand, since the left is considered "impure". Food is offered and accepted also with the right hand (at least three fingers). The owner of the house is the first to take the food, he must also finish the meal. If something falls on the table, it is not a shame to pick it up and eat it.
Clothing and appearance
Clothing should be modest (especially for women) and non-challenging (light and comfortable casual clothes and sturdy shoes are recommended for excursions). Short skirts and open arms can cause a lot of negative emotions, even shorts on a man in a public place are considered indecent. In some mosques, non-Muslims are prohibited from entering.
Women should remember that it is considered indecent to sit in the front seat of a car. It is not recommended for a woman to touch a "stranger" man in any way, even for greeting (handshakes and kisses between friends of the same sex are a common thing). There are special rooms "for women" in restaurants and cafes.
Nutrition
The portion size of most dishes is simply huge, so it is more profitable to take one dish for a company of 2-3 people, adding other snacks if necessary, since most of them are automatically added to one or another dish. Meat dishes with a side dish are often served on a huge tray, from which everyone can independently set aside the required amount of food for themselves, although it is not considered shameful for everyone to eat from the tray. It is considered decent to take food from the nearest tray or platter. The guest will definitely be offered coffee - it is not recommended to refuse it, even under the guise of health problems, since this is more a sign of respect and tradition, and not just a drink. And the size of the local coffee cups is small. Drinking tea or coffee should be slow, and at the same time it is better to take at least three sips. It is indecent to blow on hot food and drinks.
Nearly all foods are considered safe, but you should not drink unboiled or unboiled water, unpasteurized milk, uncooked meat or fish, or unprocessed vegetables and fruits from the tray.
Travel features
The heat and dehydration that is common in these places can be dangerous for patients with cardiovascular and kidney diseases, although the country's special microclimate mitigates these unfavorable factors. Evenings are pretty cool in the evenings, even in summer. When swimming in the Dead Sea, you must take care of your eyes, as the high salt content in the water can irritate the mucous membranes. It is best to wear swimming goggles. Thick flip flops are also recommended - the shores are quite rocky.
Photo and video filming =
Photo services and photographic film are quite expensive, so it is better to bring the necessary supply of film with you. Tip ==
Tips are given to the hotel staff (0.5-1 dinars), the guide (1-2 dinars per person), the driver (up to 1.5 dinars per person), drivers and volunteer guides (2 dinars), etc. Tipping is usually here make up a large (often the main) part of the income of Jordanians, so not tipping means depriving a person of their main source of income.
Electricity
The voltage in the mains is 220 V., 50 Hz. The sockets are standard, with two pins.
I have not seen so many terrible women's clothing anywhere else. I even thought that the strict Muslim requirements for the female species are fully justified. Because otherwise - the guard ...
To avoid misunderstandings, I took off my clothes on mannequins. However, do not think that it is intended for tourists: firstly, traditions are not so strong in Jordan (women are free to walk as they please), and secondly, it is difficult for me to imagine a foreign woman who dares to wear such a pink dress for a wedding:
2. 
A variation of a tracksuit. Or a sundress. All in all, something must be very trendy and modern:
3. 
There are also traditional unshakable classics like Adidas. If you transfer it to our money, the jacket costs about 60 rubles. Approximately this is how much Adidas laces cost in Russia on sale:
4. 
And this is a more respectable option: not some kind of collapse on the street, but practically a brand store. Here are the leopard shorts, my favorites:
5. 
A few more samples. Let's take a look inside:
6. 
Head scarves. Traditional on the left, bold butterflies and cucumbers on the right. There is a shawl in the color of the shorts (see above):
7. 
And these are hair ties. Decided to show them to you already. Jordanian rubber bands are unusual, they have a special meaning:
8. 
When they are under a headscarf, there is a feeling that a woman has a luxurious head of hair. Such is the snag:
9. 
In general, Madaba is a very strange city, inhabited mainly by mannequins. I've seen more of them than people. I'll show you in the next post. Stay Tuned!
For a trip to Jordan, you need to be at the airport 2 hours before departure.
Check-in for the flight starts in 2 hours, ends 40 minutes before departure! Who did not have time, he was late!
If the passenger arrives late for check-in, the airline has the right not to take him on board the aircraft.
If you were not given documents at our office, You need to find a representative with a sign "Receiving operator", from whom you can get, by presenting your passport, a package of documents (air tickets, voucher, insurance), and then go through the registration yourself.
Package of documents:
- foreign passport (valid for at least 6 months from the date of the end of the trip);
- if your child is entered in your passport without a photo and he is already 5 years old - you need to paste a photo
- if a child under 16 is flying with you - a notarized permission for the child to travel abroad from each of the parents not participating in the trip and a child's birth certificate;
- birth certificate of a child;
- voucher
- insurance policy
- air ticket
- if necessary, a power of attorney for the child
- bank statement (when exporting more than 10,000 euros per person)
- International driving license (if you plan to rent a car)
The flight to Jordan is approximately 3 hours.
Free baggage allowance on charter flights to Jordan, excluding hand luggage weight, is no more than 20kg per 1 passenger seat!
Hand luggage weight should not exceed 5 kg per 1 passenger seat; Maximum dimensions - 55x40x20 cm
Visa.
A visa can be obtained upon arrival in Jordan. The cost of a visa at the airport is 10 Jordanian dinars. Visa - issued at the Embassy of Jordan within 1-2 days. A valid passport (valid for at least 6 months) and 1 photograph are required. The cost of a single entry visa is 15 US dollars.
Political system: a constitutional monarchy.
Population: 6 053 193 people. Almost all Jordanians are ethnic Arabs. Ethnic minorities include Circassians, Chechens and Armenians.
Religion: Islam (Sunni). About 95% of Jordanians are Sunni Muslim, and 5% are Christians, mostly adherents of the Greek Orthodox and Roman Catholic churches.
Official language: Arabic, the second language in the country is English.
Currency: The monetary unit - dinar (JOD) consists of fils. 1 JD = 1.71 USD. Banknotes: 20; 10; 5; one; 0.5 dinars. Coins: 1000, 500, 250, 100, 50, 10, 5 fils. Credit cards are accepted in hotels, restaurants, shops.
Transport: Air and land communication with the outside world is well developed. Queen Alia International Airport, home to the national airline Royal Jordanian, is located 35 km south of Amman. The second most important local airport is located in Aqaba, which is also a center of tourism. Travel within the country - by shuttle buses and light taxis.
Electricity: Mains voltage - 220 volts.
Airport taxes and customs: When leaving the country at all border points, except for the airport, a tax of 5 dinars is collected from foreigners. The customs regime is generally liberal. The import of a number of high-demand goods (tobacco products, alcohol, electrical equipment, etc.) is limited, including by a duty on excess quantities. Removing antiques and antiques requires a special permit from the Department of Antiquities. The export of any kind of coral and products from them is prohibited.
Sanitary and epidemiological situation generally favorable. A vaccination certificate is not required upon entry to the country.
Telephone: The international code for Jordan is 962. Ambulance 199, 191.
Purchases: People come to Jordan especially for shopping, because here you can buy both modern goods and traditional artisan products. Walking through the bazaars and shops in Jordan is not only great fun, but also a great way to interact with the locals.
National holidays: During public holidays, banks, government agencies and many shops are closed all day:
January 1 - New Year;
January 30 - Birthday of King Abdullah II;
May 1 - Labor Day;
May 25 - Independence Day;
November 14 - King Hussein's birthday;
December 25 - Christmas.
Kitchen: Jordanian cuisine belongs to the Arab culinary tradition, but at the same time remains unique in its kind. Any honorable guest is greeted with a richly laid table.
Memo to the tourist in Jordan
Important information
Before leaving
Before leaving, check that you have the following documents:
Foreign passports (a minor citizen of the Russian Federation, following together with at least one of the parents, can leave the Russian Federation only with his own foreign passport (this rule applies to documents drawn up since March 2010)
Air tickets, insurance policies, vouchers, certificates for the export of cash currency (if necessary), driver's license (if you plan to rent a car), we recommend that you have the consent of both parents / parent (for children leaving without parents / parent) and a child's birth certificate ( for children traveling with one of the parents).
Customs regulations
You can import up to 200 cigarettes or 25 cigars or 200 gr. Into the country duty-free. tobacco, 2 liters of wine, perfumes for personal use. Carry-on baggage and personal items are not subject to duties. The import of foreign (except for Israeli) and national currencies is not limited.
The export of imported currency is not limited, while the national currency can be exported no more than 300 JD. The import of weapons and drugs is prohibited. When importing and exporting antiques, you must have a receipt issued by the seller. When importing luxury goods, you must complete a special declaration and pay the duty.
Visa
Citizens of the following countries can obtain a free visa upon arrival, provided that they are in Jordan for more than 48 hours:
Russia
Armenia
Azerbaijan
Belarus
Georgia
Kazakhstan
Kyrgyzstan
Tajikistan
Turkmenistan
Uzbekistan
Ukraine
Attention! The list of countries whose citizens can obtain a visa upon arrival or at the Consulate is subject to change without prior notice by the Jordanian side. Before traveling, we recommend that you contact the Jordanian Consulate in Moscow and find out which visa and what documents you need.
Attention! To visit Israel from Jordan, you must apply for a visa at the Consulate of the Kingdom of Jordan in advance of your departure.
The cost of a multiple entry visa to Jordan is $ 135.
Attention! The deadline for submitting documents for a multiple-entry visa to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is no later than 2 weeks before departure.
A tourist who decides to visit Israel is obliged to provide this information at the Jordan airport to the representative of the host company.
The Wadi Araba (Southern Border) border crossing, located 324 km from Amman, links the resorts of Eilat and Aqaba on the Red Sea. It works from Sunday to Thursday from 6-30 to 20-00, and on Friday and Saturday from 8-00 to 20-00.
Allenby Bridge (aka King Hussein Bridge) is located 57 km from Amman in the southern part of the Jordan Valley. Open: Sunday through Thursday from 8-00 to 20-00 for entry, and from 8-00 to 14-00 for departure. On Friday and Saturday, the transition works from 8-00 to 13-00.
The Sheikh Hussein border crossing (Northern Border) is located 90 km from Amman in the north of the country next to Lake Tiberias (Sea of Galilee). Works daily, around the clock.
Buses meet on the territory of three borders, the approximate cost is 2 dinars for each person.
Returns from Israel are possible across any border.
On the territory of Jordan, citizens of the Russian Federation can stay for up to 3 months, move throughout Jordan without a visa.
To cross the border, the following documents are required.
Round trip tickets
Tourist voucher
International passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of the end of the tour
Departure
Ticket and baggage check-in for international passengers starts 3 hours before the flight departure and ends 40 minutes before the scheduled flight departure. Boarding ends 20 minutes before flight departure.
Remember the free baggage allowance and surcharge for excess baggage. Local time is indicated on tickets. To board the flight you need:
Go through customs inspection by filling out a customs declaration. If the amount of exported money you have is less than $ 3,000 per person and you do not have items to be declared, then you do not need to fill out the declaration. When filling out the form, do not forget to indicate the entire amount of foreign currency that you took with you. Keep the customs declaration until you return to Russia.
Check in for your flight at the check-in counter and receive your boarding pass. The check-in counter number is indicated on the central board opposite your flight number. All questions about the number of your seat on the plane are resolved only at the check-in counter.
Go through border control in any cab.
Board the plane through the exit number indicated on the boarding pass.
Upon arrival in the country
In the country of arrival you will be met by a representative of the company with a sign of the receiving party indicated in the voucher. All campers are advised to stay close to their group and wait while the rest of the group goes through passport and customs control. After all members of the group gather and check in the list with the guide, the group goes to the bus.
During the transfer from the airport to the hotel, the guide will answer all your questions, as well as inform the time and place of the meeting, at which you will receive full information regarding the procedure for staying in the country.
In case of any problem related to your stay (transfer, hotel accommodation, deficiencies in hotel services, excursion services, etc.), please contact a representative of the host company immediately.
Know exactly the name of the city and hotel you are traveling to.
Departure from the country
Check-out time at the hotel is 12:00. You can leave your luggage in the hotel's storage room. You need to pay for additional services before the bus arrives. Please pay for all additional services (use of the minibar, telephone, etc.) in advance. Upon arrival at the airport, customs control of baggage is carried out immediately at the entrance. Then you go to the check-in counter, where your flight number is indicated, check in your baggage and receive your boarding pass,
then go through passport control, where you fill out the departure registration card. Then you go to the departure hall, where you are awaiting the announcement for the boarding of your flight.
Medicine and Precautions
To receive free medical care, you must contact the phone numbers indicated in the medical policy of the insurance company. When contacting medical institutions without a referral from the insurance company, the tourist pays for the services on his own.
Contacts
Consular Section of the Russian Embassy in Jordan
Address: Jabal Amman - 4th Circle, Ahmad Toukan St.
Tel .: (+9626) - 568-25-09
Fax: (+9626) - 568-25-10
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
09:00 - 12:00 (Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday)
General country information
Time
Time difference with Moscow: in winter - minus 1 hour, in summer - the time coincides. Standard time zone: UTC / GMT +2 hours.
Population
Now Jordan is home to about 6 million people. 95% of the population are Arabs. Many of today's Jordanians are former Palestinian Arabs who have been unusually friendly towards Russians since Soviet times. There are also national minorities in this country, and Europeans also live.
Language
The official language in Jordan is Arabic. But many residents of this country use English, which is taught in schools. The hotel staff speaks English, and the guides will offer you all excursions in Russian.
Currency
The currency of Jordan is the Jordanian dinar, which is divided into 100 piastres. One US dollar contains 0.71 dinars (JOD) - valid as of 04/2016. The coins and bills bear images of the royal family and are signed in both Arabic and English.
In circulation there are banknotes in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 20, 50 dinars and coins with various denominations.
Banks in Jordan are usually open from 08.30 to 12.30 and from 15.30 to 17.30 from Saturday to Thursday (ticket offices close at 12.30). If you find yourself in Jordan during Ramadan, remember that most banks are open from 08.30 to 10.00 and it is difficult to find a bank open after lunch.
Payment for services, excursions, goods is made in dinars, and you will have to change foreign currency - it is almost never accepted anywhere. It is better to exchange currency at the airport, hotels, banks and specialized exchange offices. Credit cards and travelers checks may not be accepted everywhere - carry cash dinars with you, especially when traveling inland. But if in a big hotel, in a supermarket you can accept American Express and Visa for payment, then Diner "s Club or MasterCard in Jordan are accepted much less often. So try to stock up on local currency in advance at a favorable rate.
Climate
Because most of the country is desert, Jordan's climate is dry and warm for most of the year. There is not so much precipitation - from 25-50 to 200 mm per year. The wettest part of the country is in the northwest. The climate of this part of Jordan is influenced by the Mediterranean Sea, it receives from 300 to 800 mm of precipitation per year and natural farming is possible. It mostly rains from November to March.
The subtropical zone near the Mediterranean Sea and the rest of the country with a sharply continental climate form two main climatic zones. In January there are average air temperatures from + 8 ° C to + 14 ° C, and in July usually from + 28 ° C to + 40 ° C. Do not forget about the big difference between day and night temperatures, even in summer it can be pretty cool at night. Summer is always sunny and without precipitation, sandstorms occur in the desert part of the country.
The south of the country in the Gulf of Aqaba is a resort area where you can relax all year round. In summer, it is, of course, hot here, just like in nearby Egypt, but the water temperature in the Red and Dead Seas never drops below + 21 ° C. However, the best time to visit Jordan is during spring or fall.
Transport
It is very convenient to travel by taxi in Jordan, especially since it is quite inexpensive, and the roads are in very good condition. Driving in this country is right-hand, the speed is 80-110 km. per hour, and in cities - within 60 km per hour. On the Amman-Aqaba highway, the maximum speed is just allowed - 110 km per hour.
But if you want to travel by yourself, cities like Amman or Irbid are not for you. Chaotic movement in all directions, complex pointers may not be to your liking.
Connection
All modern telecommunications are available in Jordan. This is, first of all, the Internet. There are many Internet cafes in the cities where you can sit and find out the news in Russian. Large hotels necessarily have their own options for accessing the network.
If you buy yourself a local SIM card, you can communicate with Moscow very inexpensively. A minute in this case will cost you about 0.7 dinars. And if you call from the hotel, you will have to pay much more, international calls are rounded not in your favor - strictly from 3 minutes.
Although telephony in Jordan is fairly well developed, it is not profitable to call from street booths, and they do not always work. Mobile communication is much more convenient. But if you want to use the card and find a suitable machine, to call the country you should dial 8-10-962 (Jordan's international dialing code) - the subscriber's number. Codes of some cities: Jerash, Irbid, Ajlun - 02; Aqaba, Petra, El-Karak - 03; Es-Salt, Madaba - 05; Amman, Naur, Sahab - 06; Et-Tafila - 7; Zarka - 09.
To call Russia, dial 007 (Russia code - 7), then the area code and phone number. For example, a call to Moscow: 007 - 495 - phone number
The culture
Religion
Most of the Jordanian population, about 92%, is a Sunni Muslim. A certain number of the population are Christian Arabs, they are fairly well represented in Parliament. These Christians are mostly Orthodox, but there are also Catholics.
National characteristics
Islam is adopted in Jordan, one of the strictest religions in the area of customary practice. Tourists should not appear in public places and outside the resort areas intoxicated, or with alcohol in their hands.
You should also be careful with your camera. You should not take pictures of people without their permission, as well as transport and strategic objects. The tourist faces a fine, or even deportation from the country or imprisonment.
It is forbidden to swim and sunbathe in the nude or topless on the beaches of Jordan. There are no nudist beaches here, so a tourist will be fined for such liberties.
Many rules of conduct will be directed at tourists. Take on vacation plenty of loose items that cover your knees, shoulders, and elbows. Women should not sit in the front seat of a car, let alone touch an unfamiliar man.
If you are invited to dinner (which happens quite often from hospitable Jordanians), then do not touch the food until the owner of the house starts the meal. It is also not customary to get up from the table. Food should be taken from the tray that is closest. You should not blow on hot food, as well as refuse the offered coffee - Jordanians will consider this disrespectful.
Tourists are strongly advised to be careful with gestures, as some gestures may not be perceived correctly by Jordanians. One should only take food, greet one with the right hand, since according to Muslim covenants, the left hand is “unclean”.
