Going to en Jordanie: Formalities and administrative steps

Organize your stay en Jordanie

Money en Jordanie

The currency is the Jordanian dinar, often abbreviated to JOD or JD (pronounced locally "dji-o-di" or "dji-di"). In this guide we have opted for the French abbreviation of DJ. There are bills of 1, 5, 10, 20 and 50 dinars. The currency is divided into qirsh or piastres. There are coins of 1 qirsh, 5, 10, 25 and 50 piastres.

Exchange rate: 1 € = 0.80 DJ and 1 DJ = 1.24 € (January 2022)

Budget & Tips en Jordanie

The average salary in Jordan is 678 DJ. Thus, the high exchange rate is compensated by a lower standard of living than in Europe.

Low budget: You should expect to pay a minimum of 35 DJ (approx. 43 €) per day, with a night in a dormitory or low-end hotel, travel by minibus and meals in popular snack bars or canteens.

Medium budget: a minimum of 70 D.J. (approx. 85 €) per day, with a night in a comfortable hotel, meals in restaurants and a rental car.

Big budget: a minimum of 150 DJs (approx. 180 €) per day, with a night in a luxury hotel, meals in the best restaurants and a car with an English-speaking driver.

Passport and visas en Jordanie

The tourist visa can be obtained on arrival by paying 40 DJ in local currency only. However, it is easiest to purchase the Jordan Pass before departure (www.jordanpass.jo) which includes the visa fee and entry to 40 sites and museums.

Restrictive measures apply with the Covid 19, which can be found at www.gateway2jordan.gov.jo. In particular, there is a form to fill out prior to boarding, also on the same site.

For a multiple-entry visa, you must apply directly to the Jordanian Consulate, 80 boulevard Maurice Barres in Neuilly-sur-Seine

Driver's license en Jordanie

To rent a car in Jordan, you must be at least 25 years old and have a valid French driving license

It is safer to also be in possession of an international driving license. To do so, you must make a pre-application online at www.permisdeconduire.ants.gouv.fr and attach a proof of identity, a proof of residence and a copy of your driver's license. You must then send the documents by mail to the address you provided when you pre-registered, attaching the certificate of submission of the online application, a passport photo that is less than 6 months old, an A5 envelope with 2 stamps and a registered letter sticker. The process is free of charge and the time required to obtain the permit varies between 15 days and 3 months. Only urgent requests for professional reasons are taken into account. You must then add a certificate from your employer and indicate the date of departure.

Health en Jordanie

There are no specific diseases in Jordan. There are no mosquitoes and malaria is not present. You will find below the recommendations of use concerning the viruses and bacteria circulating in the country.

Covid-19 : you will find the procedures to respect on the website www.gateway2jordan.gov.jo.

Rabies: rabies is present in the country. It is recommended to avoid contact with dogs and cats or any other mammal. In case of a bite, immediately contact a hospital or a doctor to receive an anti-rabies injection. Rabies is a deadly virus.

Water: Jordan has a dry climate and it can be very hot. Therefore, it is recommended to drink a lot to avoid dehydration. Drink only bottled or treated water (purification tablets or ozone treatment).

Mandatory vaccination en Jordanie

Jordan does not require any particular vaccine to enter its territory. However, it is recommended to have an up-to-date vaccination booklet. Vaccinations against hepatitis A, hepatitis B and Covid-19 are recommended.

Security en Jordanie

Jordan is a very safe country, in fact it is the safest in this troubled region. Pickpocketing or theft from vehicles is rare. However, do not leave your valuables in plain sight. Roadside checks are extremely frequent. Therefore, always carry your papers with you if you rent a vehicle. Only if you drive at night will you be in potential danger, as animals may cross your path at any time.

Time difference en Jordanie

There is a 1 hour difference with France. Thus, when it is noon in Paris, it is 1pm in Amman. Jordan practices the summer/winter time change, but not on the same dates as France. Jordan switches to summer time on the last Friday of February and to winter time on the last Friday of October.

Spoken languages en Jordanie

Arabic is the official language of the country. However, English is widely spoken, especially in tourist areas. Road signs are usually translated into the Roman alphabet, which is not necessarily the case for store and restaurant signs.

Communication en Jordanie

Populated areas have good telephone coverage and you will find Internet in hotels and many tourist cafes and restaurants. However, if you are hiking in deserted areas, there is not always a connection. Be extra careful.

The WhatsApp application works in the country, but it is impossible to make calls with it

Electricity and measurements en Jordanie

Jordan uses the metric system. The electricity supplied is 220V-230V. The plugs are generally identical to those in France. However, in a few old-fashioned hotels, you will find three-pronged plugs. An adapter may be useful. In the most recent and luxurious hotels, you will find USB ports in the walls to recharge your electronic devices.

Luggage en Jordanie

The climate varies greatly from season to season. If you go between November and March, you should bring warm, waterproof clothing. This is the rainy season and it can even snow in the north. On the other hand, you will be warm in Aqaba and at the Dead Sea. A bathing suit is therefore essential. In the off-seasons (October and April), it is mild compared to France, and even hot in the south of the country. In summer, from May to September, light clothes, made of natural materials and loose fitting will be your best allies. In any case, bring a scarf or buy a keffiyeh on the spot, to protect yourself from the sun as well as the wind. Take a fleece or a good sweater if you stay in the desert. It gets cold as soon as the sun goes down. Slip on a good pair of hiking shoes, as you will be walking a lot in the dust and on the rocks. Your toiletry kit should include a high factor sunscreen, lip balm and a moisturizing body lotion. The air is very dry. And don't forget your medication and the prescription if you are on medication.

Daily life en Jordanie

Hello? en Jordanie

Jordan's area code is +962, which is used for calls from abroad. In this case, remove the 0 at the beginning of the number. Numbers beginning with (0)7 are cell phone numbers.

Cell phone operators can be found in the arrivals hall at Queen Alia International Airport. The main operators are Orange, Umniah and Zain. They offer special time-limited packages for tourists, including calling and texting as well as a data package. The commercial offers are the same and coverage is identical.

Accessibility en Jordanie

Jordanians love children, and we'll try to make life easier wherever you go if you're traveling with young children. On the other hand, the country is not suitable for strollers or wheelchairs. Many of the sites are criss-crossed by sandy or stony paths, both uphill and downhill.

Access to the Treasure of Petra is possible for people with reduced mobility. An electric cart service is available for 25 DJ from the Visitor Center.

Health en Jordanie

Jordan presents no particular health risks. You are advised to drink bottled water rather than tap water, which may not be easily digestible for Western stomachs. In case of need, the French embassy can provide you with a list of French-speaking doctors, or a list of hospitals with emergency services. Hospitals charge a fee, and it's best to check with your travel insurance company before seeking hospitalization.

Emergency numbers en Jordanie

In case of emergency (police, fire department, ambulance), dial 911.

The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities maintains a list of emergency numbers on its website (https://portal.jordan.gov.jo/wps/portal/Home/Connect/ImportantNumbers).

Securty en Jordanie

There is no security threat in Jordan. It's an extremely safe country. In Amman, you'll find police at almost every crossroads, especially at rush hour. And on the roads, identity checks are frequent. Expect to be stopped to check your vehicle papers.

In case of emergency or problem, dial 911.

LGBTQ en Jordanie

Homosexuality is completely taboo in Jordan. It's an Arab and Muslim country. Don't go out in public if you're traveling as a couple. The capital of gay and lesbian tourism in the region is Tel Aviv in Israel.

Embassies and consulates en Jordanie

The French Embassy is located in Amman's Zahran district, at 40 rue Al-Mutanabbi. In case of emergency, please call +962 6 460 4630.

Mail en Jordanie

In Amman, the Central Post Office is located on Prince Mohammed Street in the lower town. A stamp costs 0.90 DJ. You can also buy stamps in stores selling postcards. The Jordanian postal service has a bad reputation for efficiency. Your mail may never arrive if you send postcards from within the country. For other mail, locals use the services of private companies such as DHL or Fedex.

Local media en Jordanie

The most widely read daily newspaper in Jordan is the Jordan Times, in English. You can read articles online at www.jordantimes.com.