Jordan Tourist Information

Location Business Hours Entry Requirements
Currency & Exchange Facilities Climate Holidays
Tourist Information Offices Emergency Phone Numbers Tipping
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
General Information
 

In 1921 H.E.H Emir Abdullah ibn Al-Hussein secured recognition for the Emirate of Trans-jordan, that became fully established in 1923.

Fully independence came on May 25, 1946. In 1950 it became Hashimite Kingdom of Jordan.

 
 Area   97,740 km2
 Population   5,039,000 (2000)
 Capital   Amman
 Capital area   About 8,231 km2
 Capital population   1,864,500 (1999)
 
 King   His Majesty King Abdullah son of the late his Majesty King Hussein I
 Crown Prince   H.R.H. Crown Prince Hussien son of His Majesty King Abdullah II
 Principal Cities   Amman, Zarqa, Irbid, Salt, Kerak, Aqaba, Mafraq, Tafileh, and Ma'an.
 
Location
 

Southwestern Asia, situated near the south-eastern coast of the Mediterranean sea, bounded on the north by Syria, on the east by Iraq and Saudi Arabia, on the south by Saudi Arabia and the Red Sea, and on the west by Palestine and Israel. See map in Map & Sites page.

 
 language   Arabic  Second language   English
 Religions   Muslims 94% - Christians 5%  Measures   Metric
 Time   GMT +02:00 - US EST +7  Electricity   220 Volts, 50 AC
 Currency   Jordanian Dinar  Int'l Dialing Code   00962
 
Note: during the holy month of Ramadan working hours are usually reduced.
 
 
Business Hours  
   
Government Offices   8:00 to 15:00 (Sun to Thu)
Banks   8:30 to 15:00 (Sun to Thu) - ATM services available.
Shops & Malls   9:00 to 20:30
Private Sector   9:00 to 18:00 - with one or two hours launch break

Note: during the holy month of Ramadan working hours are usually reduced.

 
   
Entry Requirements  
   

Individuals and groups of all nationalities (with some exceptions) are issued visa upon arrival at any port of entry in Jordan upon presentation of passport, or at Jordanian diplomatic missions abroad.

The fee for the visa is JD 10 = $15 for all nationalities except Arabs (free). There is also a departure tax of JD 5 = $7.5

For groups, collective list is necessary which includes: Surname, Profession, Date and Place of Birth, Nationality, Passport Information (Number, Issue Date, Expiry Date). Collective visas for groups from any port or border are free of charge except from Sheikh Hussein and Araba borders.

Note: Previous visa is required, except when crossing from Jerusalem to Amman via Allenby.

 
   
Currency & Exchange Facilities  
   

The currency of Jordan is Jordanian Dinar (JD) which equals $1.4 US Dollars (One US Dollar = 0.708 JD). One JD is 1000 fils.

Coin denominations are: 10, 25, 50, 100 fils, 0.25, and 0.5 dinar.
Paper denominations are: 1, 5, 10, 20, 50 dinars.

Exchange facilities are available at all points of entry, banks, hotels, and currency exchange offices. Rates are displayed and you may wish to ask for a receipt. There are no restrictions on visitors to bring in, and take out, foreign currencies. Familiarize yourself with the exchange rates published in daily newspapers.

Credit cards and Traveller Cheques are accepted at most hotels, car rental agencies, shops and restaurants. Major cards accepted are Master Card, Visa, Eurocard, AMEX and Diners Club.

 
   
Climate  
   

The climate depends on which part of the country you are in, as altitude ranges from 400 meters (1,312 feet) below mean sea level at dead sea, to 1850 meter above sea level at the Al-Shirah mountains.

The climate tends to be dry during Summer, while Winter and Spring are cooler, and during these seasons most of the country's rainfall occurs. June to September are the hottest months of the year where temperature rises to about 32oC (89.6 F).

The period between December and March is the coolest. Snowfall often occurs and temperatures stay around 15oC (59 F) during the day.

 
   
Holidays  
   

Friday and Saturday are the official weekly holiday. Some tourist services stay open while businesses and banks are closed.

 New Year   1st January
 King Abdullah II Birthday   30th January
 Labor Day   1st May
 Independence Day   25th May
 King Abdullah II Accession   9th Jun
 Army Day & Arab Renaissance Day   10th Jun
 King Hussein's Birthday   14th November

Islamic holidays based on Hijri/Lunar calendar

 Eid Al-Fiter   3 days marking end of Ramadan (fasting month)
 Eid Al-Adha   4 days at the end of Hajj
 Islamic New Year   1st of Moharram
 Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) Birthday   12th Rabe'a El-Awwal
 Al-Isra' Wal Mi'raj   27th Rajab

Christianity holidays

 Christmas Day   25th of December
 Easter   2 Days
 
   
Tourist Information Offices  
   
Queen Alia Airport   4451531
Royal Jordanian Airlines
Inquiries   4453333
Flight Information   4453200
Sales   5663525
Reservations   5678321
Cargo   4641804
 
   
Emergency Phone Numbers  
   
Phone Inquiries 24hrs.   1212 Police   191
Amman Civil Defense   199 Irbid Civil Defense   (2) 243323
Health Complaints   5661171 Amman Fire Bridgade   4622090/93
Blood Bank   4749121 Highway Police   5343401
Traffic Police   4896390/1 Traffic Accidents   4896390
Amman Municipality   4787111 Electricity Emergency   4750981/2/3
 
   
Tipping  
   

Tipping is a way of showing your satisfaction with a service rendered. Tips to your driver, guide and the hotel personnel are not included and left to your discretion.