Is Petra safe?
Safe and welcoming with low crime. Real risks are long walks in heat, steep stairs, flash floods and pushy guides. Iranian strikes since July 2026 mainly affect the south near Aqaba.
Key facts
- SoloSquare safety rating: 4/5, safe with normal care.
- US travel advisory: Level 3: Reconsider travel, updated 2026-05-03.
- Homicide rate in Jordan: 1.0 per 100,000 people (2023, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths in Jordan: 17.0 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: All emergencies 911.
Safety in Petra at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Crime | Petty theft is uncommon. Aggressive vendors, animal-ride pricing disputes and romance scams are more common than crime. |
| At night | Wadi Musa is quiet after dinner. Petra by Night runs on set evenings; the site is closed otherwise. |
| Solo women | Solo women visit Petra safely; some vendors and guides are persistent. Cover shoulders and knees, avoid isolated trails, and ignore romantic advances. |
| Other risks | Flash floods in the Siq, Nov–Mar; Heat and long walking distances; Steep steps to the Monastery |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Animal-ride 'included' in tickets but guide demands a tip
- Romance scams by 'Bedouin' guides
- Fake tickets or guide services sold outside the gate
Take care
- Petra after closing time; tourists have been arrested
- Flash floods in the Siq during rain
Calmer areas to stay
Laws visitors break by accident
- Being inside Petra after closing time is an offence; tourists have been arrested.
- Drinking alcohol on the street is illegal; bars, hotels and homes only.
- Encouraging Muslims to convert to another religion is illegal.
How Petra compares in Jordan
Quick answers
Is Petra safe for solo female travelers?
Solo women visit Petra safely; some vendors and guides are persistent. Cover shoulders and knees, avoid isolated trails, and ignore romantic advances.
Is Petra safe at night?
Wadi Musa is quiet after dinner. Petra by Night runs on set evenings; the site is closed otherwise.
What is the crime rate in Petra?
Petty theft is uncommon. Aggressive vendors, animal-ride pricing disputes and romance scams are more common than crime. Nationally, Jordan records 1.0 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2023).
What number do I call in an emergency in Petra?
All emergencies 911.
More about Petra
Going to Petra solo?
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Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- Petra Development & Tourism Region Authority
- Jordan Pass
- Visit Jordan
- World Bank: intentional homicides (UNODC)
- World Bank: road traffic deaths (WHO)
Safety ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment from official advisories, crime data and local reporting. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.