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I spent 10 days visiting Jordan and before I got there, my western community expressed a lot of questions and fears about travel to this region. Now that I’ve completed my trip, I can share all my thoughts and Jordan safety tips on how to have a seamless experience during your visit.
To give a little background about my trip: I am American, Afro-latina (Black), and a woman. I visited Jordan for 10 days without my husband and was part of a group tour mixed with women and men of different backgrounds.
Given the genocide occurring in Gaza and the conflict in the region, many people wondered if it was safe for me to visit Jordan, or if Jordan was open for tourism. Jordan is also an Islamic country, which made westerners wonder what my experience would be like as a woman. Read on for my thoughts and recommendations as someone who visited in 2025.
Is Jordan open for tourism?
Yes. Not only is Jordan is open for tourism, it less crowded than ever due to the current conflict in neighboring countries. This means I was able to visit a world wonder: Petra, without thousands of people crowding around me. I also got access to some of the most luxurious hotels which may have otherwise been harder to get into.
Is Jordan safe for tourists?
I felt very safe while in Jordan. I found vendors to be welcoming and kind, and even so-called pushy touristic places would respect when I declined services. Restaurants gave equal service and I never felt treated differently due to my skin color, nationality, or being a woman.
I also didn’t see street crime, and while everyone should be mindful of their personal belongings I didn’t felt the same pickpocket alertness like I have in big European cities as a tourist. Again, this is my personal experience.
That said, before visiting any country I always research travel advisories – and with Jordan that is no different. Given the regional conflict, especially, I wanted to make sure it was okay to visit.
- Note: My 10-day Jordan trip was also with a reputable local guide and a private driver, to help provided cultural and safety guidance. While you can travel Jordan on your own or with tours, this is also an option.
What are the travel advisories for Jordan?
Travel advisories score on a scale of 1 to 4. With 1 indicating “exercise normal precautions”, and 4 indicating “do not travel”. As of publishing this article in 2025, Jordan travel advisory is at level 2, which means “exercise increased caution”.
For reference, other countries that are scored a level 2 include Spain, France, the UK, Netherlands, Italy, Indonesia, The Bahamas, Costa Rica, and more. These are all countries millions of people feel safe visiting yearly.
Safety tips for traveling to a country with a level 2 increased caution warning:
- Monitor local media for breaking events
- Avoid demonstrations and protests
- Be aware of your surroundings and stay alert
- Obtain comprehensive medical insurance that includes medical evacuation
- Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency
- Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler’s Checklist
Jordan does have certain areas that are a level 4, which you should avoid:
- The Border with Syria and Iraq
- Syrian refugee camps (Government of Jordan restrics entry into these camps)
- Zarqa, Rusayfah and the Baqa’a neighborhood of Ayn Basha
- Reconsider travel to Ma’an city, all areas of Ma’an Governorate east of Highway 15 (“The Desert Highway”)
Is Jordan very conservative?
Jordan is a Muslim country, and therefore there are conservative aspects, but there is still “secular” culture accepted. While Islam is the official religion, it is acceptable to practice other religions too.
Things to keep in mind while traveling in Jordan:
- It is recommended to dress relatively modestly to respect the locals and their customs, but that doesn’t require hijab or abaya. There were local women wearing jeans and blouses, and no head covering, in the same way local women wear hijab.
- While in private hotels, we were also allowed to wear two piece bathing suits (not recommended for public beaches to be respectful).
- While it is okay to drink alcohol in moderation, drinking in the streets is illegal (just like in most US states) and drinking in public spaces is frowned upon (like outdoor cafes, public beaches, etc.) It is recommended to keep any drinking activity to private spaces like bars and restaurants.
- When visiting places of worship, please be sure to cover your shoulders, knees, and bust/chest. I always carried a scarf with me just in case. With that in mind, in general try to keep these parts covered to be respectful. (As a larger rule, dress modestly even when not in places of worship.)
- For couples traveling, keep in mind that public displays of affection are considered inappropriate. While hand holding may be tolerated in very touristy areas, it is best to remain cautious of this and respectful.
Do I need a visa to visit Jordan?
Yes, you will need a visa to get into Jordan. For most international tourists, this is as easy as getting an e-visa online before getting there, to avoid lines. Additionally, if you are interested in visiting a lot of attractions in Jordan, it may be beneficial to get the Jordan Pass which will cover your visa fee.
- How to get a Jordan Pass: get one of 3 passes, with the difference being the amount of days you want to visit Petra.
- Where to get your e-visa: While you can also do visa on arrival, e-visa helps speed things up. Use this Jordan e-visa guide from Royal Jordanian airline, which is how I flew to Amman.
More Jordan Safety tips for your trip
These are tips I bring with me anywhere when traveling and think they are particularly useful for visiting Jordan.
- Always carry your ID (passport copy), comply with local authorities, and avoid sensitive conversations about politics or religion in public.
- Use licensed taxis or ride apps (Uber or Careem).
- For tours, use recommended licensed guides or book tours on reputable sites like Viator or Get Your Guide.
- Stick to drinking bottled water and be cautious with ice in rural areas.
- Download Google Maps offline and WhatsApp for use if necessary.
- Know Jordan’s emergency number: 191 for police; 193 for ambulance; 199 for fire. Here are more safety phone numbers for your reference.
My overall impression of Jordan
Jordan was a breath of fresh air and I am excited to go back ASAP. There is so much more I want to see and do and I felt positively overwhelmed by the amount of hospitality pouring from this country. If you are nervous about your visit to Jordan, I’d say don’t be. You’ve already made the first step reading this article, which shows you care about travel safety and respecting local customs. Enjoy your trip!
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