KINGDOM OF JORDAN (continued)
4. When's the best time to visit?
Climate
Seasons
Ramadan
Festivals
High Seasons
Selecting your best time to visit Jordan depends on several travel considerations - weather, festivals, and crowds.
Climate
Jordan's Mediterranean climate makes it an attractive place to visit year-round. It can get very cold and very hot in Jordan, depending on the place and time of year you visit. From cold winter snows in the north and chilly desert evenings to hot summer deserts and steaming beaches in the south, Jordan offers a varied climate for all types of travelers.
For monthly climate summaries on cities around the world, including Amman and Aqaba, check out www.worldclimate.com. For daily climate updates on Jordan, including 10-day forecasts, be sure to visit www.weather.com.
Seasons
While temperatures and climatic conditions can vary considerably from the north to south, the most pleasant seasons of the year are spring (March through May) and fall (October and November).
Jordan is lush with greenery during spring, which also is high season for Western visitors. Peak season for Arab visitors is usually during the summer months of July and August.
While summer can be very hot and dry, this is still a tolerable time of year to visit. Even in the summer, evenings in the desert can be cool.
The winter months - December through March - can be very cold and windy, especially in the desert valleys, with cold rains and snows in many parts of the country.
However, Aqaba and the Jordan Valley are ideal places to visit during winter, with temperatures averaging 16-22C (61-72F) between November and April.
Strong desert winds with accompanying sand from the Arabian interior are especially prevalent during a few days in May.
With temperatures averaging around 23C (73F) from May to October, be sure to pack some warm clothing for the cool desert evenings. You’re well advised to pack a warm coat and rain gear during the winter months.
Ramadan
When planning your trip to Jordan or any other Middle Eastern country, keep in mind Ramadan, the holy month of fasting (no eating, drinking, or smoking during the day), which varies according to the Islamic lunar calendar. In 2007, for example, Ramadan runs from September 13th to October 12th.
During during Ramadan, all coffee shops and restaurants outside the major hotels are closed until sunset. Shops have restricted hours (usually open from 9 AM to 2 or 3 PM and are closed on Friday) to accommodate their staff members. Government offices, banks, museums, and archeological sites, other than Petra, have abbreviated hours.
At the same time, traffic congestion in Amman during Ramadan can be horrendous in the afternoon as everyone empties out of office buildings and shops to head home for their first meal of the day. Indeed, afternoon rush hour traffic nearly triples during Ramadan, taxis are almost impossible to find around 4 PM, and accidents increase accordingly!
Given such restricted hours and activities, you may want to plan your trip either before or after Ramadan. At least know when Ramadan starts during the year you plan to travel to Jordan - then count 30 days to see if it might negatively affect your travel plans. Don't become a disappointed shopper and discover the two days you planned in Amman unexpectedly landed on a holiday!
Festivals
Jordan hosts a few annual festivals of interest to visitors. First organized by Queen Noor in 1981, one of the largest arts and culture festivals takes place in late July and early August in the city of Jerash - the Jerash Festival – which is located 30 kilometers north of Amman.
Centered in the Jerash ruins and backlit with dramatic lighting, the festival includes evening performances - folklore dances, ballet, concerts, plays, and opera with local and international participants - and lively craft markets for shoppers interested in acquiring handicrafts. For more information on this festival, visit www.jerashfestival.com.jo.
High Seasons
Jordan has different high seasons for different national groups and regions. Saudis, for example, who drive north into Jordan, disproportionately stay in Amman during July - a peak summer month that means lots of traffic congestion.
Europeans disproportionately visit Jordan during September and October. Warm and balmy Aqaba draws many visitors during the cold northern months of January and February.
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