Jordan holidays 2022 & 2023

Arabic is the official language of Jordan. Jordanian Arabic is quite close to Egyptian Arabic, which is the most widely understood. Most other Jordanians will be able to communicate effectively in English — the exception being some of the Bedouins in places like Wadi Rum.

Jordanian food is typically Arabian in style with the Lebanese influence dominating in particular as well as one or two traditional local dishes. The most common form of meal starts with mezze (mixed starters, predominantly non-meat dishes) followed by hot, meat-based dishes, all accompanied by lots of delicious, fresh-baked flat bread. For a quick snack, you should try shwarma. This is thinly sliced compacted meat (normally lamb, sometimes chicken) shaved into a flat bread pocket and garnished with a garlic sauce before being wrapped tightly for easy eating.

As well as traditional Arabic coffee, tea and fruit juice, Jordan also produces its own wines, the best of which are pretty decent, and brews a couple of beers under licence, the most common being Amstel. The local spirit is araq, a triple-distilled vine alcohol flavoured with aniseed.

Tipping is an accepted part of life in Jordan and will be expected by drivers, guides and other people who look after you or offer you some service during your trip. That having been said there is not the same request for tips at every turn that you encounter in some of the other countries of the region. In upmarket restaurants a tip of 10% is normally expected, whilst in smaller and cheaper establishments anything from 500 fils — JD 1 is about right.

Ultimately, these suggestions are nothing more than guidelines and tipping is discretionary, but it is also an accepted part of culture.

Jordan's currency is the Jordanian Dinar (JD). There are 1000 fils in a dinar, and there is an informal denomination of a piastre which is 10 fils. Credit cards are widely accepted, although in remote rural areas and the desert you might struggle with them. There are ATMs in all towns and cities of any size.

Whilst Jordan is a Muslim country, it is one of the more secular ones in the Middle East but it is still important to respect Muslim social customs. Dress does not have to be as conservative as in some countries in the region, but care should still be taken. As a general rule you should dress more conservatively in the towns and cities than on days when you are sightseeing away from urban areas. For these days, both sexes can wear shorts and t-shirts weather-permitting, although keeping the shoulders covered is sensible for reasons of sunburn as much as respect for local customs.

Do not photograph anything to do with the military or government buildings — also avoid photographing bridges and canals or anything that could be construed as having strategic significance. Ask people if they mind before photographing them.

During Ramadan do not eat, drink or smoke in public.