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Is it safe to travel to Jordan?

Let’s dive straight in with one of the questions I’m most often asked.

Is it safe to travel to Jordan?

Yes, overall Jordan is a very safe country. The crime rate is incredibly low and violent crime is uncommon.

Recent data from Jordan’s Public Security Directorate found that the crime rate in Jordan is among the lowest in the world, and there was actually a decrease in homicides and theft in the first half of 2023—despite an increase in the number of residents and visitors. (The homicide rate was already very low at one in 100,000 people, according to a 2021 World Bank Group report. For comparison, the homicide rate in the U.S. that same year was seven in 100,000).

Hospitality is an important part of Jordanian culture, and, in general, people in Jordan are incredibly friendly and helpful. And in my experience, people in Jordan are also very generous and protective—quite the opposite of criminal traits—when it comes to visitors. Even those who don’t have much will often invite you in and offer you tea, coffee, or a meal. I once left my laptop in an Uber by mistake, and not only did the driver not keep it for himself, but when I contacted Uber to ask him if I could meet him to pick it up, he told me not to worry. He then went out of his way to bring the laptop back to me!

One of the main reasons I left the U.S. and now spend most of my time in Jordan is because I feel much safer in Jordan than anywhere else I’ve traveled. In Jordan, I no longer have to constantly look over my shoulder when I’m walking down the street or worry about gun violence when I step into a store, school, or movie theater.

Now, come along with me, and let’s get into some additional commonly asked questions.

Walking through the Siq, the canyon trail that leads to the famous Treasury in Petra

Is Jordan safe right now for tourists?

Jordan remains peaceful and welcoming for tourists. The country has a long history of being a safe haven for visitors and international refugees.

Is Jordan safe for American tourists?

Jordan and the U.S. have a longstanding relationship, and Jordan tends to be a safe destination for American tourists.

Most Jordanians I’ve met understand that the US government’s choices (which often negatively impact the Middle East) aren’t a true reflection of most Americans’ beliefs. And while Jordanians and other residents of Jordan are understandably furious (so am I, to be clear) about the U.S. funding the destruction of Palestine and its people, in my experience, they continue to show kindness and hospitality to American tourists in Jordan.

When I’m traveling or living abroad, I’m always hesitant to answer the question “Where are you from?” I know that people around the world rightfully have strong opinions on the American government, American exceptionalism, and American tourists. However, in my experience in Jordan, anytime I have to confirm that I’m American, Jordanians still say without hesitation: “Ahlan wa sahlan (welcome)” and “Welcome to Jordan.”

That being said, if you are racist or an Islamophobe, I can imagine you will naturally NOT be well-received! But that’s really on you, isn’t it? And I honestly can’t imagine why you’d visit Jordan—a country filled with some of the kindest people on the planet who will quite literally open their home to you—if you aren’t prepared to be a respectful visitor.

Me—an American tourist—safely traveling and living in Jordan. This day a friend and I were revisiting Jabal Al-Qal’a (Citadel Hill) in Amman. It’s one of my favorite spots in the city and a perfect place to linger and watch the sunset.

Is Petra safe to travel to right now?

Like the rest of Jordan, Petra is generally a safe place to travel. I have been to Petra multiple times and was there again recently. It was quiet and completely safe. There were police posted up throughout the site, but I never felt even the slightest inkling that we were ever in any danger.

Petra is also much less crowded right now, which is great for visitors but heartbreaking for locals in the tourism industry. The ongoing destruction of Palestine has severely impacted Jordan’s tourism economy—which had just experienced a huge boost and broken visitor records in 2022 and the first three quarters of 2023.

The real considerations for safety in Petra are related to weather, terrain, and the occasional bad actor (more on that below).

A beautiful spring day spent in Petra. It was my 5th (or 6th? I’ve lost count!) visit to this archeological wonder.

Weather

If you’re visiting in the winter, be aware that flash flooding could cause an unexpected site closure. And if you’re visiting during the summer, try to tour Petra either in the early morning or just before it closes—midday in the summer is intensely hot, and you may overheat.

On the other hand, if you are a person who handles heat well, summer might be a good time for you to visit because the heat does tend to keep away the crowds! I once went to Petra in the dead of summer when it was around 100°F (38°C), and it was practically empty.

Terrain

Inside Petra, you’ll find a lot of steps, loose stones, cliff edges, and gravel paths, so you should wear stable footwear with some traction, always watch where you walk, and don’t get too close to the edges of any viewpoints you venture to.

You can still get some great views (like this one of the Theater) and nice shots in Petra, even if you keep a safe distance from the edge.

Unofficial guides

There are people in Petra who may approach you and offer to guide you to a viewpoint or their cave. I’ve never accepted, but have heard numerous stories of tourists led astray by unofficial guides (who then demand the tourists pay the guide to lead them back… after getting them lost!) and solo female travelers led to unsafe conditions.

As I said, Petra and Jordan are generally safe—more so than anywhere I’ve traveled in the world. However, if something seems off, it probably is! I’ve heard that the police have been cracking down on the scammy behavior in Petra but whether that’s true or not, I always recommend if you want a guided tour of Petra, book with a licensed guide—for your safety and because the licensed guides can provide in-depth knowledge of Petra, Jordan’s history, and much more.

Can U.S. citizens go to Jordan?

Yes, U.S. citizens can visit Jordan. You can opt for a single-entry, 30-day tourist visa on arrival for 40 JOD ($56 USD) or, if you’re planning to visit Petra, you can purchase the Jordan Pass in advance. The Jordan Pass is 70-80 JOD (about $100-112 USD) and includes your entrance ticket to Petra as well as entrance to several other historic sites and attractions in Jordan.

If you’re planning to visit Jordan at least three times within the next few years (and, like me, you love to linger!), consider the multi-entry, five-year visa. I purchased this visa on arrival at the airport a couple of years ago. The current cost of the five-year multi-entry visa is 114 JOD (160 USD). Now, whenever I enter Jordan, I pass through immigration quickly—and save the 40 JOD it would have cost me every time for a single entry visa. This visa also allows me to stay for 90 days before I need to apply for an extension or leave the country.

Is it safe for a solo female to travel to Jordan?

In general, yes, Jordan is a safe option for solo female travelers. I feel very safe as a woman in Jordan, and safety is one of the main reasons I continue to spend so much time there. Here are a few tips to stay safe as a solo female traveler in Jordan

  • Don’t accept offers to visit a Bedouin cave alone. There are plenty of lovely and trustworthy people in Petra. But as noted above, I’ve heard stories of solo female travelers in some sticky situations there, so it’s just something to have on your radar.

  • Save the skin-bearing outfits for the resorts or bars. The law does not require you to cover up or wear hijab in Jordan (except in places of worship, such as mosques and churches). And most Jordanians are too polite to tell you to cover up. So, yes, you can technically wear what you want. !!HOWEVER!! I think it’s best to show some respect for the local culture and wear clothing that at least covers everything from your knees up to your cleavage (I typically keep everything from my calves to shoulders covered unless I’m in a bar, resort, or some of the tourist sites). If you want to avoid unwanted attention, I’d recommend only wearing your more revealing attire when at a beach resort in Aqaba, for example, or at a bar in Amman (if you want to wear a top that shows a bit more skin, I’d suggest wearing a jacket over it until you get inside the bar. Once inside, you will likely see other visitors and residents wearing more revealing or tighter-fitting clothing as well). It’s also common and accepted for visitors to wear a bit less clothing (such as shorts, tees, etc) in some tourist sites like Petra or Wadi Rum where you’ll be trekking outdoors and surrounded by other foreigners.

  • Keep your wits about you in Webdeh and downtown Amman. There have been some incidents of sexual harassment of foreign women in these areas. Again, it isn’t super common (especially compared to much of the rest of the world where, as women, we face daily harassment), but something to keep in mind.

  • Look out for the love bombing. Even if you’re fully covered, if you’re a foreign woman, there’s a good chance you’ll still get some attention. Some people do just genuinely want to chat with you (remember, Jordanians are super friendly and hospitable, in general), so I’m not suggesting you ignore everyone! But some guys have other intentions. So if they come on strong, shower you with excessive compliments, tell you they love you straight away, etc. just be cautious. I’ve seen some guys behave this way with every foreign girl they meet. That’s not to say you won’t encounter sincere guys (there are plenty of good guys in Jordan), but you can only see someone’s true intentions over time, so it’s something to bear in mind.
One of my trips to Petra was during the late summer months. It was hot so I wore a lightweight dress for comfort and airflow. BUT! I personally wouldn’t walk around Amman or most places in Jordan in this dress; I would only wear it at the beach resorts or a handful of tourist sites like Petra.

More safe travel tips for Jordan

Of course, travel is always at your own risk, things can change at any moment, and no one (including me) can guarantee 100% safety for you anywhere in the world—even in your own home. As a traveler, you must take responsibility for yourself and take standard precautions that you would any time you travel. These include:

  • Keep up to date on any travel warnings or advisories. As some countries have their own reasons for advising against travel to certain places (and some of it is political), I find it helpful to read travel advisories from multiple sources. Check with your own government to see what their current advice is and take note of any higher-level warnings (if your country advises you not to travel to certain places, they—and your travel insurance—may not be able to help you in the event of an emergency). Then check the government advisories published by others. If you’re an American traveling to Jordan, check the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs page for Jordan, and then you can also consult a few European travel advisories for Jordan, for example.

  • Register your travel dates and destinations with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Plan (STEP) if you’re American. This will ensure you receive updated advisories for your destination and also means you’ll be registered as an American abroad in the event of an emergency.

  • Keep an eye on the news. It’s nice to disconnect while traveling (I love to do the same), but it’s wise to at least stay updated on local news. If you don’t speak Arabic, you can follow English-language news sources in Jordan, such as Roya News.

  • Purchase travel insurance before your trip.

  • Don’t wander into unknown areas alone, especially at night.

  • Don’t carry large amounts of cash. In Jordan, theft is rare, so this advice is more to prevent losing it!

  • Do your research and plan activities and gear that are appropriate for the season. For example, you should not go canyoning or hike the wadis during Jordan’s rainy season (generally December to March). Flash flooding is extremely dangerous, and if you’re caught up in it unexpectedly, it can be fatal.

  • If locals advise you of neighborhoods or areas to avoid, listen! Jordanians, in general, want visitors to have a good and safe experience. So if they tell you to avoid certain places, it’s best to heed their advice.
A lovely day at the Citadel with Abdulrahman, one of my favorite people in Amman. I highly recommend visiting this site in the spring when, for a very short time, wildflowers bloom around the ruins there.

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