Is It Safe To Travel To Jordan?

Jordan is located in the Middle East and shares borders with the countries of Israel, Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Syria. However, it is very safe to travel to Jordan with a very friendly locals even if it is surrounded by volatile countries in the region. Nonetheless, there are certain precautions that visitors should take into consideration when it comes to safety in Jordan.

Overall Safety Situation

Jordan is one of the most stable and safest countries in the Middle East region. It has only experienced a relatively small scale of violence and has been able to avoid much of the strife seen in countries around it such as Syria and Iraq. Jordan has no significant internal problems, no rebels or anti-government groups within the territory of the country. Since the crisis, crime levels are relatively low, particularly crimes against tourists. Hospitality is an important part of Jordanian culture and visitors can enjoy the colors of local bazaars, historical sites, stunning views and friendly people.

The main language spoken is Arabic, but many people use English especially in the tourist-related sectors. Most road and street signs have Arabic and English inscriptions and this makes it easy to find your way around. Security measures in Jordan’s international airports are normal as observed in other countries. At every border, customs officials may ask a few extra questions, but the process is relatively smooth. Most foreign visitors need a visa and it is recommended to check on the requirements before travelling and ensure that the passport is valid for at least six months after the intended date of departure.

There has however been occasional unrest within Jordan associated with the al-Qaeda linked terrorist group based somewhere else. There were several terrorist attacks of the lone wolf style in the capital city Amman in 2016 but the intensity of such acts has significantly declined after the measures towards security enhancement. Tourists can be alert when in crowded places and follow the local news. Compliance with any curfew orders as ordered in the affected areas should be observed.

Regional Conflict Zones

It is advisable not to cross the borders of Jordan such as with Iraq and Syria due to the existing violence in those two countries. The threats include cases of stray fire which may harm the humanitarian workers, threats of kidnapping, extremism, and large populations of refugees who are unable to escape the conflict. In no way should a traveler attempt to enter these conflict zones. The presence within 50 kilometers of these borders might be limited by Jordanian security forces.

Today, Israel controls Jordanian border passages and a part of the West Bank region. Tourists are usually safe but can be prone to conflict. Avoid being reckless with religious practices or customs of the local people. Borders are with Saudi Arabia which are mostly open desert regions which are even out of bounds for locals for military reasons. It should be noted that travel safety concerns are not an issue along the brief strip of shore that lines the Gulf of Aqaba.

Refugee Situation

At the moment refugees are accepted in Jordan in the amount of almost 1.4 million people, mostly from the neighboring countries such as Syria and Iraq. This has put economic pressure on housing, employment and all available facilities. However, there has not been any severe case of violence or discriminations against the international tourist in Jordan. The travelers may come across families in some less privileged areas within the cities and camps but these are not a menace to their security.

Petty Crime Risks

Like any other country, visitors to the United States are advised to be wary of petty crime including pick pocketing, theft of bags, purse snatching as well as theft from cars or rooms. Protect your imprinted biometric information on passports, credit cards, and cell phones by wearing RFID-blocking gear. Do not wear jewelry, and keep them in the hotel safe deposit boxes, or wherever they may provide secure storage space; be cautious whenever in large crowds. Minimally, these events should be reported to the local police immediately for record purposes. Use caution when wandering around the souks and bazaars to keep an eye on your wallets, cameras and other items of desire.

Schemes on the part of seemingly kind and well-meaning individuals are quite common, especially when they invite people into their shops or tourist attractions. Beware of ‘offers’ to assist you: As aforementioned, do not accept any offers of assistance from strangers or unknown sources. Choose the guides and the means of transportation from reliable companies not the solicitors. Avoid losing your group, or walking with unfamiliar people and being led to unknown areas. The simplest principles of car parking should suffice, therefore, simple common sense should suffice when it comes to parking.

All in all, Jordan has earned its place as a relatively safe Middle Eastern country for Western travelers. Despite some sensible safety considerations respecting areas of Middle Eastern unrest, frontiers and treasures, visitors are free to appreciate Jordan’s wonder of the old Nabatean cities, the desert, and exquisite Red Sea coral. The overwhelming majority of visits to Jordan are hassle-free getaways that provide a taste of Arabic and biblical civilization in a country on the rise in the world tourism rankings.

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