The honest answer: Jordan is safe for tourists
We are writing this in September 2023. The question we receive most often from people planning a Jordan trip is some variant of: “But is it actually safe? With everything going on in the region?”
The honest answer is yes — with the same context and nuance that applies to dozens of countries that carry regional associations people in Europe and North America find worrying.
Jordan has a 30-year track record as one of the most stable countries in the Middle East. It has hosted millions of tourists during periods of significant regional instability — the Gulf War, the Iraq War, the Syrian civil war, the Arab Spring — without a single major tourist-targeted incident. That is not luck. It is a combination of effective security services, a genuine cultural tradition of hospitality toward strangers, and a government that understands its economy depends partly on visitor confidence.
For the most current safety assessment, see our regularly updated guide is Jordan safe for tourists.
What the official travel advisories actually say
As of September 2023:
United States (State Department): Jordan is Level 2 — “Exercise increased caution.” To put that in context: France, Germany, Belgium, Spain, and the United Kingdom are also Level 2. The advisory notes potential for terrorist attacks and civil unrest and specifically advises against travel within 5 kilometers of the Syrian border. For the tourist circuit — Amman, Petra, Wadi Rum, Aqaba, the Dead Sea — there are no specific restrictions.
United Kingdom (FCDO): Advises against all but essential travel to within 3 kilometers of the Syrian and Iraqi borders. The main tourist areas carry no specific advisory.
Australia (DFAT): “Exercise a high degree of caution.” Same exceptions for Syrian and Iraqi border regions.
Canada (Global Affairs): “Exercise a high degree of caution,” same border caveat.
In practice: all major Western governments tell you to be alert but not to avoid Jordan. The caveat is consistent — stay away from the Syrian border area (the far north-east of the country, nowhere near the tourist circuit). No advisory tells you to avoid Petra, Wadi Rum, Aqaba, Amman, or the Dead Sea.
Regional context in September 2023
We would be dishonest if we didn’t acknowledge what’s happening around Jordan. As of this writing:
Syria: The civil conflict continues, though at lower intensity than the 2013-2019 peak. Jordan’s border with Syria has been managed carefully. The Mafraq region in the north-east is the area to avoid. Most of Jordan is far removed from this.
Israel and the Palestinian territories: Tensions in the West Bank are elevated as of late 2023. This matters to travelers crossing at the land borders — particularly Allenby/King Hussein — where wait times can increase and the mood at crossings can be stressed. It does not affect Jordan’s internal tourism circuit.
Lebanon: Lebanese instability is an ongoing story. Jordan shares no border with Lebanon and has limited direct exposure to Lebanese political dynamics.
What we watch, and what the Jordanian government watches, is whether any of these regional situations creates security spillover into Jordan proper. The answer through all of 2023 has been no.
The security picture inside Jordan
Jordan’s internal security services are widely considered among the most professional in the Arab world. The General Intelligence Directorate (GID) is particularly active and effective at monitoring threats before they materialize.
Tourist sites — Petra, Jerash, Wadi Rum, the Dead Sea resorts — have visible and discreet security presence. Not intrusive, but present. The situation is frankly similar to major tourist sites in France or Italy post-2015.
There has been one significant security incident involving Western nationals in recent Jordanian history: the 2019 Petra stabbing, in which a German tourist was wounded. This was treated as an isolated incident, the perpetrator was arrested within hours, and it has not been repeated. Prior to that, the last significant tourist-targeted incident was in 2016.
For a country receiving 3-4 million international visitors annually, this record is genuinely impressive.
Day-to-day safety for tourists
Petty crime
Jordan has low petty crime rates by international standards. Pickpocketing is rare compared to major European tourist destinations. Bag snatching is very uncommon. We have walked around Amman’s downtown, Rainbow Street, and the market areas at various hours without incident.
That said: basic precautions apply everywhere. Keep your phone in a front pocket in crowded areas like the Petra entrance and the Amman souk. Don’t leave valuables visible in rental cars.
Tourist scams and annoyances
The most common “safety” complaint from Jordan visitors isn’t crime — it’s persistent hawking. At Petra’s entrance, unofficial guide offers can be aggressive. Inside the Siq, vendors selling rides (horse, donkey, camel) use hard-sell tactics and sometimes quote prices that turn out to be negotiable — which is a nice way of saying they expect the negotiation to happen after you’ve already used the service.
None of this is a crime. It is genuinely annoying and we flag it every time. The solution: use official guides booked through your hotel or a verified platform, agree on any prices before getting on any animal, and feel free to say no firmly and repeatedly.
Taxis and transport
In Amman, use Careem (the regional equivalent of Uber) or ask your hotel to call a licensed taxi. Unmarked cars offering rides outside tourist sites are to be avoided.
In Petra/Wadi Musa, taxis from the town to the site entrance are generally honest. Settle the price before getting in.
In Aqaba, taxis have a reputation for not using meters. Agree on the fare in advance, or use Careem if it operates in the area you need.
Solo female travelers
Jordan is manageable for solo female travelers, but requires some specific awareness. We cover this in detail in a separate post. The short version: catcalling happens occasionally, particularly in more conservative areas; modest dress (covered shoulders and knees) significantly reduces unwanted attention; Amman’s Rainbow Street and Abdoun areas have a more mixed, cosmopolitan feel where solo women are entirely normal.
Amman city walking tour: local culture, hidden places & foodWhat you should worry about — and what you shouldn’t
Worry about: Road safety. Driving standards in Jordan are genuinely alarming by European standards. If you’re renting a car, drive defensively and expect aggressive lane changes, tailgating, and red-light creativity. Seatbelts are mandatory and enforceable.
Worry about (mildly): Heat. In summer, temperatures exceed 40°C in Petra and 45°C at the Dead Sea. Heat exhaustion is a real risk for unprepared visitors. Drink water constantly, wear lightweight long-sleeved clothing, and avoid midday exposure.
Worry about (mildly): Flash floods. Wadi Mujib’s gorge trail is closed November-April for this reason. Sudden rainstorms in Jordan’s western highlands can produce fast-moving floods in the wadis. Don’t enter narrow canyons during or immediately after rain.
Don’t worry about: Terrorism. The statistical risk to tourists in Jordan is extremely low. Lower, per capita, than most of Western Europe.
Don’t worry about: Political unrest targeting tourists. Jordan’s Friday demonstrations occasionally happen in Amman, typically near the parliament. They are not directed at visitors and are generally peaceful.
Don’t worry about: Food and water. Tap water in Jordan is technically drinkable but often heavily mineralized — bottled water is cheap and universally available. Food safety at established restaurants is generally good.
Travel insurance: get it
This is not Jordan-specific advice, but it’s worth repeating: buy travel insurance before you go. Comprehensive coverage including emergency medical evacuation is particularly important in any country where the local healthcare system may not meet your expectations.
Jordan’s hospitals in Amman are generally adequate. Outside the capital, quality varies significantly. Evacuation coverage matters.
Check that your policy covers regional instability clauses — some policies include carve-outs for the Middle East as a region. Read the fine print.
Entry and practical planning notes
Visa: Most Western nationals receive visa on arrival (approximately 40 JOD / 55 USD). The Jordan Pass includes the visa fee for stays of three nights or more, plus entrance to Petra and 40+ other sites — it is almost always the better deal. See our Jordan Pass guide.
Currency: JOD (Jordanian dinar), pegged to the USD at approximately 0.71 JOD = 1 USD. ATMs are widely available in Amman, Aqaba, and Wadi Musa (near Petra). Carry cash for smaller vendors and in Wadi Rum.
SIM cards: Zain, Orange, and Ummah offer tourist SIMs at the airport for roughly 5-10 JOD for a week of data.
Emergency numbers: 911 (police), 193 (ambulance), 199 (fire).
The verdict
Jordan is safe for tourists. This is not a promotional claim — it reflects the consistent experience of millions of visitors across decades of regional turbulence. The country’s security apparatus is effective, its hospitality culture is genuine, and its tourist infrastructure is designed to make visitors feel comfortable and supported.
The standard advice applies: be aware of your surroundings, take basic precautions with your valuables, don’t do anything in Jordan you wouldn’t do at home. Beyond that, relax.
The greatest risk of your Jordan trip is not crime or instability. It is overloading your itinerary and not leaving enough time in Petra.
This post was written in September 2023. For the most current travel advisory information, check your government’s official travel advisory website. For our regularly updated safety guide, see is Jordan safe for tourists.
FAQ
Is Jordan safe right now (September 2023)?
Yes. Jordan carries a US State Department Level 2 advisory — the same as France, Germany, and the UK. The tourist circuit (Amman, Petra, Wadi Rum, Dead Sea, Aqaba) has no specific restrictions.
What areas should I avoid in Jordan?
Avoid within 5 km of the Syrian border (Mafraq region, far north-east). All major tourist sites are far from this area and carry no specific travel restriction.
Has there been recent violence targeting tourists in Jordan?
One stabbing incident in Petra in 2019. No other significant tourist-targeted incidents in recent years. Jordan’s overall tourist safety record over decades is excellent.
Do I need travel insurance for Jordan?
Yes. Comprehensive travel insurance including emergency medical evacuation coverage is strongly recommended for any Middle East travel.