Travel Safety in Jordan

Jordan is politically stable, has low violent crime, and depends on tourism — so visitors are looked after. Millions of tourists visit each year without incident. The normal travel precautions apply: watch your belongings in busy markets, use registered taxis, and keep an eye on your bag in Amman’s downtown. Violent crime against visitors is extremely rare.

The things that actually harm visitors in Jordan are not crime but heat and flash floods. Underestimating the summer sun at Petra causes most medical incidents — carry water, start early, rest midday. In winter, rain in the hills can send sudden floods down the wadis and through the Petra Siq; the park closes the Siq when there is a risk, and you should never enter it during or just after a storm.

On the roads, drive defensively, watch for livestock and unmarked speed bumps, and don’t drive long desert stretches at night. See driving in Jordan.

Jordan is peaceful, but it sits beside some countries that are not. Avoid the northern and eastern borders with Syria and Iraq — there is no reason for a visitor to be there anyway. The main tourist areas (Amman, Petra, Wadi Rum, Aqaba, the Dead Sea, Jerash, Dana) are far from any trouble. Check your government’s travel advice before you go for the current line, and take out proper travel insurance.