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KINGDOM OF JORDAN (continued)

14. Frequently asked questions and tips for success (continued)

AMMAN

How much time should I spend in Amman?

It depends on what you want to do. If you want to combine city shopping with sightseeing, plan on at least three days in Amman. However, since many of Jordan's major attractions are within a one-hour drive from Amman - Jerash, Pella, Ajlun, Umm Qays, Salt, Fuheis, the Dead Sea, Mt. Nebo, Madaba, Iraq Al Amir, and Bethany Beyond the Jordan - you may want to stay in Amman much longer.

Indeed, Amman is a good base from which to explore many places within a 100 kilometer radius of the city.

Where are the best places to shop and dine in Amman?

See our recommendations in the section on dining and shopping.

JERASH

How much time do I need for Jerash?

Plan to spend the day visiting Jerash, but be flexible enough to also include nearby Ajlun, Pella, and Salt in a day trip to this rich historical and cultural area north of Amman.

Some visitors to Jerash can see all they are interested in seeing within a couple of hours, while others can spend six to eight hours exploring every section of this expansive archeological site.

If you visit Jerash during the annual Jerash Festival (late July and early August), you’ll want to spend more time attending the various art and cultural programs. Check out the daily schedule that is posted on the Jerash Festival website: www.jerashfestival.com.jo.

Is there any shopping in Jerash?

Yes, but it's limited to arts and crafts found in the local tourist market. If you are interested in clay pots, you'll find a local producer of such items in Jerash.

PETRA

What's the best way to get to Petra?

You can take a bus, hire a taxi, rent a car, or join a tour from Amman. We prefer renting a car, because it's convenient for exploring other areas between Amman and Petra (Madaba, Wadi Mujib, Karak, Dana Nature Reserve) as well as for visiting nearby Wadi Rum and Aqaba.

Many budget travelers take inexpensive mini buses to get there, but you may find it inconvenient to do so.

TIP: A daily coach (JETT bus) now makes a round-trip run to Petra each day. Departing Amman at 6:30 AM, it drops passengers off at the Visitors' Center entrance three hours later. It leaves for the return trip to Amman at 4:30 PM. The cost is 6JD one-way or 11JD round-trip.
As a result of this bus service, visitors can now make Petra a day trip from Amman. Altogether, you'll have about six hours to visit Petra if you decide to do this day trip.
While not enough time to take the "Petra at Night" tour or wander leisurely throughout the area as well as shop, nonetheless, you can do Petra in one day from Amman without staying overnight in the area.

Any worthwhile shopping in Petra?

Yes. You'll find many shops along the main street in Wadi Musa that leads to the entrance to Petra These shops offer a wide variety of arts, crafts, jewelry, and antiques.

For quality items, look for the Noor Al-Hussein Foundation shop. Other shops worth visiting are Sandcastle Bazaar (www.petra-sandcastle.com) and Made in Jordan.

Once inside Petra, you'll find many Bedouin vendor stalls offering a variety of arts and crafts. Bargaining is expected at most shops, where you are likely to get a 20 to 30 percent discount.

How much time should I spend in Petra?

Most visitors cover everything they want to see in one day. Others purchase a two- or three-day ticket to really explore Petra in depth. Many people who stay an extra day are glad they did.

Keep in mind that this is a very large area requiring a great deal of walking and climbing. Going from the Treasury to the Monastery is a major effort but well worth the lengthy walk. You can cover part of the distance in Petra by horse-drawn carriage, horseback, or by donkey. However, you should at least walk one way through the inspiring entrance to the Treasury, the Siq.

TIP: Try to be in Petra on a Monday or Thursday evening for the special "Petra by Night" tour that begins at 8:30 PM and ends around 10:30 PM. The two-kilometer walkway through the Siq and into the courtyard in front of the Treasury is filled with 1,800 flickering candles.
A Bedouin man sits in the middle of the courtyard playing a string instrument and singing haunting songs. When he stops, flute music wafts from the Treasury - truly a mesmerizing moment. This is a very special and romantic way to see the first section of Petra.
This night tour may well become the highlight of visiting Petra. You must make reservations for this tour through the Visitors' Center or through one of the three travel agencies that organize the program - Bedwina Travel Agency, Petra Moon Travel Agency, or the Zaman Travel Agency.

For more information on Petra, visit these websites:

www.jordanjubilee.com (see Petra sections)
www.go2petra.com
www.petrablog.com
www.isidore-of-seville.com/petra

WADI RUM

What's there to do in Wadi Rum?

This is a favorite destination for active travelers who enjoy dune riding, sand boarding, skydiving, ultra gliding, rock-climbing, photography, camping, visiting Bedouins, and sleeping under the stars...and checking their shoes in the morning for scorpions!

You can easily spend two or three days enjoying this compelling place that Lawrence of Arabia made famous. For more information on Wadi Rum, visit www.wadirum.jo.

Do I have to stay overnight in a tent?

No, not if you decide to go on to Petra or Aqaba for the evening - both within one-hour driving distance from Wadi Rum. However, you might also want to check out both the tented and non-tented accommodations at Wadi Rum: Bait Ali (www.baitali.com). It includes a section with traditional brick-built chalets with large single and/or double beds.

Can you drive on your own through Wadi Rum?

No, this is a protected conservation area (now managed by the Aqaba Special Economic Zone) consisting of a series of valleys that run from north to south for about 130 kilometers.

Entrance is strictly controlled at the Visitors' Center. The entrance fee is 2JD, but it may soon increase. To see the area, you can go by foot (hikers) or camel.

However, you'll probably want to arrange for a jeep and driver/guide, which are available at the Visitors' Center entrance to Wadi Rum, in order to cover a large area of Wadi Rum. If you drive to Wadi Rum, park your car and transfer to the local 4WD transportation. If you arrive by bus or taxi, you will be dropped off at the Visitors' Center.

AQABA

How much time should I spend in Aqaba?

That depends on how much you love the beach and resort-related activities. Spend at least a couple of days here. Many visitors make Aqaba their Jordanian holiday destination, staying here four to seven days, but making day trips to nearby Petra and Wadi Rum.

Is there much to do in Aqaba?

Resort lovers, water enthusiasts, and duty-free shoppers find plenty to see and do in Aqaba - explore coral reefs, scuba dive, snorkel, jet ski, sail, sun bath, swim, dine, shop, and visit the Aqaba Marine Park.

Being an old city, Aqaba also has a few interesting archeological sites worth visiting.

The city's active nightlife boast many good seafood restaurants and shopping centers.

You also can take day trips into neighboring resorts of Israel (Eilat) and Egypt (Taba). Aqaba is a good base from which to visit nearby Wadi Rum and Petra.

And there's lots more to come, since Aqaba is undergoing some major upscale resort development, including more shopping centers and five-star hotels, restaurants, and spas.

THE DEAD SEA AREA

What's there to do in the Dead Sea area?

This is one of Jordan's major resort destinations for people interested in leisure, wellness, biblical history, and geology (the Dead Sea is 1,312 feet below sea level, the lowest point on earth).