Town in Ma'an Governorate, Jordan
Petra
Rose-red Nabataean city carved into canyon cliffs, reached via Wadi Musa. Unmissable, with long walking days and heat or cold; plan sunrise and an overnight to avoid tour crowds.
At a glance
- Safety4/5Safe with normal careDetails
- Monthly budget$1,410–2,260Comfortable, one person · JD1,000–1,600Details
- Value for money52/100Better value than 51% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goMar–May, Oct–NovWarmest: Jul, 32°CDetails
- Internet194 MbpsFixed broadband, Jordan medianDetails
- Tap waterNo, drink bottledWater is scarce, rationed and stored in rooftop tanks; drink bottled or filtered water.Details
- LGBTQ+2/5HostileDetails
- Solo travel4/5English: widely spokenDetails
- Doctor's visit$21–49Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundJETT bus Amman–PetraWalkable centerDetails
- Cash or cardMixed: cards and cashCards work in hotels and bigger restaurants.Details
Where to stay in Petra
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Wadi Musa (near the Petra gate) | Walk to the entrance; hotels, restaurants and tour offices |
| Taybet Zaman / Umm Sayhoun | Quieter, Bedouin village style; short taxi to the gate |
Apps that work in Petra
No ride-hailing apps work here; see the taxi note below.
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: WhatsApp
- Jordan Pass: Visa fee waiver and Petra entry
- Taxis: Careem/Uber don't operate reliably here. Use hotel taxis or agree the fare before departure.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Jordan.
- Mixed: cards and cash Cards work in hotels and bigger restaurants. Carry cash for taxis, small cafés, tips and the Petra gate on busy days.
- Currency: Dinar (JOD). US$1 ≈ JD0.71 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: ATMs in all towns; most charge a fee for foreign cards. Fewer in Wadi Rum and rural areas.
- Tipping: Expected in tourism: about 10% in restaurants (check for a service charge), tips for guides and drivers; round up taxis.
- Paying by phone: Apple Pay and Google Pay work at contactless terminals in Amman; local CliQ needs a Jordanian account.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Most visitors buy a visa on arrival at airports; staying three nights or more, the Jordan Pass covers the visa fee plus Petra entry.
- No visa on arrival at the King Hussein (Allenby) Bridge from the West Bank: arrange it in advance.
- Staying over 14 days? Register with police (biometrics) or pay a fine on departure.
Emergency numbers
All emergencies 911
Plugs
Type C, D, F, G, J, B · 230 V, 50 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Zain, Orange and Umniah booths at Queen Alia airport arrivals and shops in town; passport needed. Data is cheap. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in Jordan
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Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.