My Jordan Adventure: Amman, Wadi Rum & More!
Let's dive straight into my unforgettable trip around Jordan! A quick heads-up about the Jordan Pass for Malaysians: it wasn't happening when I went. I ended up getting my visa directly from the embassy (cost me about €67.50, not living in Malaysia at the time).
Amman
Amman, the bustling capital, was my first stop. Here's how I tackled it:
Getting Around Amman
- From Queen Alia International Airport: Head to the main exit and grab the airport bus to 4th Circle (3 Jordanian Dinar (JD), runs every half hour). From 4th Circle, a quick taxi ride (around 2 JD) will get you to your hotel in the downtown area (like 1st Circle).
- Within Downtown Amman: Walking is great! Or hop in a taxi for short trips (about 1 JD per trip). Expect to pay around 2.5 JD for an 8km journey. Just make sure the meter's running and use your maps to show the driver your destination.
Where to Eat in Amman
- Shahrazad Restaurant & Hashem Restaurant Down Town: These are popular with locals and super affordable (main dishes around 4-6 JD). They serve authentic Jordanian fare.
- Habibah Sweets: Must-try Knafeh! Be prepared to queue (5-10 mins), but it's worth it (about 1.5 JD for a quarter).
Things to Do in Amman
- Explore the vibrant downtown area.
- Visit the impressive Roman Theater.
Day Tour: Amman - Dead Sea - Wadi al Mujib - Amman
Day tours from Amman come with a hefty price tag. Renting a car for a group is ideal, but solo or small groups can explore options. I found a local driver via Facebook groups who took us to Wadi al Mujib and the Dead Sea for 40 JD (a much better deal than the hostel offers of 60-100JD). His number is +962 7 7786 5761. (Send him a voice message on WhatsApp, he might not read English).
Wadi al Mujib
Wow! A stunning place, about 2 hours from Amman. I honestly preferred it to Petra. Entry is 20 JD, dry bag rental is 10 JD (expensive), water shoes 5 JD (also expensive, wear sandals instead!).
Imagine Grand Canyon with water! It's hiking, easy climbs, and swimming for about 1.5 hours to reach the end. Trail difficulty is moderate; some stairs are slippery.
For the best photos, aim to be there between 11 AM and 1 PM when the sun shines beautifully through the canyon. We combined this with the Dead Sea, so arriving at the Dead Sea around 2-3 PM meant very harsh sunlight (I went in July, around 40 degrees!).
Dead Sea
Skip the expensive resort tours (20 JD entry fee!). The Dead Sea is long; find a spot to park and swim at a free beach. Have your driver (the contact provided above) take you to Salt Beach (9GXX+7C, Sirfa, easily found on Google Maps) after Wadi al Mujib. There's a freshwater shower there (1 JD per bucket). We headed back to Amman around 5 PM.
Tip: Start this tour later (around 10 AM) for cooler Dead Sea photos in the afternoon. Salt Beach might not always have mud readily available.
Aqaba
I chose Aqaba as it's the gateway to Wadi Rum (no direct bus from Amman). Lesson learned: check for public holidays! The buses weren't running the day after I arrived.
Getting to Aqaba (Two Options)
- JETT Bus from Amman (7th Circle): (10 JD) (Check their website: https://www.jett.com.jo/en).
- Local Bus from Amman South Bus Station: Departs around 1 PM (6 JD).
Eating in Aqaba
I found the prices slightly higher than in Amman, and nothing particularly memorable.
Things to Do in Aqaba
- Japanese Garden: Free diving or snorkeling here! Don't get tricked into paying for entry (it's a free beach!).
A taxi from the city center to the Japanese Garden is around 10 JD one way, haggle for 15 JD for a round trip.
Tip: Taxi rides within Aqaba are usually around 1 JD.
Wadi Rum
This is the desert! It has both a white desert (white sand) and a red desert. Personally, I found the red desert more striking and unique.
Getting to Wadi Rum
From Aqaba, take a taxi to Wadi Rum Village (15 JD). Note that Wadi Rum Village and Wadi Rum Center (where you buy tickets) are different places. Coordinate with your hostel (often run by Bedouins) about pickup locations to give the taxi driver correct directions.
Where to Stay in Wadi Rum
Booking.com offers a wide range of options, from budget to luxury. Cheaper places primarily earn from selling tours and dinners (around 10 JD). Important: Confirm pickup locations and tour prices with the hostel before booking, as prices can vary significantly (from 70JD to 100JD for a full-day tour; 50JD for a half-day tour). Ask about the tour itinerary to understand which spots you'll visit. You can opt to stay in the tent (hostel) and explore nearby areas on foot if you are on a budget.
Eating in Wadi Rum
Depends on your hostel (tent). My food was unfortunately not great or cheap. Drinking water is often free at hostels.
Tips for Wadi Rum
- Consider staying near Jebel Khazali for stunning views.
- Confirm dinner/lunch prices beforehand as some bookings include it, while others require separate purchase upon check-in.
- If staying 2 days, do a half-day tour on the first day to scope out the best spots.
- Check the Moon Phase for optimal Milky Way viewing.
Feel free to share your own Jordanian tips!
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