Travel Guide

Travel Essentials: Jordan

Before finalising your next big adventure devote some time to pre-planning to ensure you are as best prepared as possible. Included here you'll find useful 'Essential Info' with links through to the experts in Travel Health Advice, Visa Regulations, Government Travel Advice, Books and Maps.

To get the most out of your next adventure it makes sense to consider some of the very local factors that combine to make up what you feel is the best time to travel to a destination. Many of these factors are very personal - some people prefer to travel when the weather is not too hot, or sites too crowded - others prefer to travel when a traditional local event is taking place. Taking into account the dates of public holidays can also make sense as these may have an impact on opening times of attractions, shops and restaurants, or might affect public transport or other services. Conversely public holidays can be a time of great local festivities and celebrations providing a feast of local expressionism and culture.

Climate	Jordan’s climate is characterised by mild winters and hot summers, however there are differences depending on where one travels. Summer temperatures are high throughout the country, ranging from the low to mid 30’s°c in Amman, up to as high as 45°c in Wadi Rum and Aqaba, where humidity is high. Snow is not uncommon in winter in Amman and the north, but as one travels south the climate gets warmer, with Aqaba often enjoying winter temperatures in the low 20’s°c. As 90% of Jordan is classed as desert expect cold and crisp winter nights, indeed even in summer some campers in Wadi Rum have been surprised at how rapidly the temperatures drop. Most rain falls in sharp and heavy downpours in the north, usually between November and March. Unusually during Christmas 2006 Petra experienced a large snowfall with over 30 cm snow falling, disrupting access to the area.
Seasonality	Jordan is nominally a year-round destination with only the hottest summer months of June to August being quiet: spring and autumn are the best times to visit. Spring brings a profusion of wild flowers to the north and areas such as the Wadi Mujib and Dana Nature Reserves. Summers are hot and to be avoided if possible, but visitor numbers are lower at this time, whilst the winter months are generally mild it can be cold and rain usually falls in short sharp showers. If you are prepared for the chill it is also a good time to visit. Easter and Christmas/New Year are extremely busy – avoid these times if possible for fewer crowds and lower prices.
National Holidays
01 Jan 2008	New Year's Day
01 Jan 2008	In addition Jordan celebrates a number of religious festivals. Ramadan is the month of fasting and celebration and commences 1/1 Sep 2008, 21/22 Aug 2009 and 10/11 Aug 2010. At this time offices, museums and cultural sites operate reduced hours, however this generally does not affect the traveller too much. Ramadan finishes with a 3 day celebration of feasting called Eid el-Fitr, a National Holiday. Eid al-Adha, a 3-day feast and National Holiday, marks the time of the pilgrimage to Mecca and begins 9 Dec 2008, 29 Nov 2009 and 19 Nov 2010. The Prophet Mohammed’s birthday is celebrated and is a one-day National Holiday on 20 Mar 2008, 9 Mar 2009, 27 Feb 2010. The Islamic New Year is a one-day National Holiday on 9 Jan 2008, 29 Dec 2009, and 19 Dec 2010.
30 Jan 2008	King Abdullah’s Birthday
20 Mar 2008	Mawlid al-Nabi (Birth of the Prophet).
20 Mar 2008	Good Friday
23 Mar 2008	Easter Monday
01 May 2008	Labour Day
25 May 2008	Independence Day
10 Jun 2008	Army Day/Anniversary of the Great Arab Revolt
30 Jul 2008	Prophet's Ascension
14 Nov 2008	King Hussein’s Remebrance Day
25 Dec 2008	Christmas Day
25 Dec 2008	Christmas Day
National Events
Jerash Festival	Occurs: Anually July/August The renowned Jerash Festival takes place each July/August in the ancient city and locations around Amman and is the country’s premier cultural festival.
Global Village	Occurs: Annually in July Global Village is an annual festival, which takes place throughout the month of July. It includes, many different ‘Country Pavilions’, built to reflect the individual country’s heritage, folklore and tradition. See www.globalvillagejo.com.