Jordan Safety Guide
Health, security, and travel safety information
Emergency Numbers
Save these numbers before your trip.
Healthcare
What to know about medical care in Jordan.
Two tiers: public and private. Amman and Aqaba host sleek private hospitals that match Western benchmarks.
Head to Amman's King Hussein Cancer Center, Jordan Hospital, or Specialty Hospital for serious trouble. In Aqaba, Islamic Hospital is the private pick.
Green cross marks pharmacies in every town. Many meds sit on open shelves. Bring your own prescriptions in original bottles.
No law demands it. Yet buy travel insurance that covers medevac.
- ✓ Carry a doctor's note and prescription copy for controlled or injectable drugs.
- ✓ Check that your policy lists private hospitals; that's where you'll land.
Common Risks
Be aware of these potential issues.
Pickpockets work crowds and buses.
Crashes top the injury chart. Speeding, sudden swerves, dim rural roads.
Jordan Valley and desert fry in summer. Dehydration, heatstroke loom.
Scams to Avoid
Watch out for these common tourist scams.
Driver says the meter is broken, then demands a crazy fare at the end.
Freelance "guides" swarm Petra and Jerash. Water prices triple.
Safety Tips
Practical advice to stay safe.
- • Carry a photocopy of your passport and visa separately from the originals.
- • Register your travel plans with your embassy upon arrival in Jordan.
- • Be aware of local customs. Public displays of affection are frowned upon.
- • Skip anywhere within 5 km of Syria. Cross-border fire is real.
- • Exercise caution near the border with Iraq. Only use official border crossings.
- • West Bank tension can jam borders with Israel and the Palestinian Territories. Check before you set out.
Information for Specific Travelers
Safety considerations for different traveler groups.
Solo women travel here every day. Stares and comments happen.
- → Dressing modestly significantly reduces unwanted attention.
- → Use Uber or Careem after dark. Tracked, safe.
- → Outside cities, hire a trusted male guide or join a group.
Same-sex sex is illegal, though tourists are rarely targeted. No public affection.
- → Avoid public displays of affection.
- → Be discreet in conversations about relationships, with strangers.
- → Book twin beds, not doubles. Same-sex couples play it safer this way. Simple switch. No questions asked.
Travel Insurance
Protect yourself before you travel.
Insurance is non-negotiable. Remote Wadi Rum can empty your wallet if you need a helicopter lift. Private care runs sky-high. Get evacuation cover. Read the fine print.
Ready to plan your trip to Jordan?
Now that you've got the research covered, here's where to go next.