Visiting Jordan is considered generally safe but some of the latest official advisories warn against traveling to Jordan at the moment.
The United Kingdom Foreign Office advises ‘against all but essential’ travel to Jordan. Due to the political climate in the country, do not stay within three kilometers of Jordan’s border with Syria. Jordan is a possible target for terrorist attacks, and there have been several incidents there since 2016.
There are also issues at the Israel border. After an extraordinary attack by the Palestinian militant group Hamas on Saturday, Israel declared war on Gaza, and now all eyes are back on what might happen next.
Is it safe to visit Petra in Jordan right now?
Petra is located in the southern part of Jordan, which is far from the conflict and considered safe. Eilat airport, located in the south of Israel remains still open for international flights as it’s also considered safe.
Nevertheless, it’s important to stay up to date with travel advisories and developments of the conflict in Israel.
U.S. State Department travel advisory not been updated yet
The U.S. State Department hasn’t updated its travel advisory since the Israel war started.
The latest travel advisory (Level 2) from July 13, 2023:
Due to terrorism, you should exercise increased caution in Jordan. The risk is higher in some places.
Do not travel to:
- Due to terrorism and armed conflict, avoid travel within 3.5 km of the Jordanian border with Syria and east of the city of Ruwayshid toward the border with Iraq.
- Due to immigration restrictions imposed by the Jordanian government, do not visit the designated Syrian refugee camps in Jordan.
- Due to terrorism and crime, do not visit Zarqa, Rusayfah, and the Baqa’a section of Ayn Basha.
Reconsider travel to:
- Due to terrorism and criminality, Ma’an City and some portions of Ma’an Governorate
6 General safety precautions when traveling in Jordan
1. Consider your safety when taking taxis – Several female travelers have complained of being harassed by taxi drivers. Sit in the back and keep your eyes open, and you’ll have the best chance of avoiding this.
2. Before using the Desert Highway, make sure of the conditions – One of the main highways connecting Amman to other cities such as Aqaba is Highway 15, which crosses Jordan from north to south. Due to unrest in Ma’an in the south, the highway has been closed occasionally, and other sections have been blocked on occasion. Always follow police instructions and keep up to date with any closures on the local news.
3. Be cautious when around or on roadways – In Jordan, the roads can be a bit busier and more chaotic than you may be used to (particularly in Amman). Traffic accidents are the third leading cause of death in Jordan, as traffic laws seem to be ignored more often than followed.
4. Keep clear from public demonstrations – Although public demonstrations in Jordan are mostly serene, if possible, stay away from large crowds like this one. You can never predict what will occur.
5. Keep an eye on your possessions – Pickpockets and purse snatchers have been spotted in the Old City of Amman and at popular tourist destinations in some of the busier areas. To be on the safe side, keep your valuables out of sight..
6. Avoid the Syrian and Iraqi borders – It is well known that Syria, Iraq, and their borders with Jordan are currently dangerous regions to travel to. Since none of the major destinations are near these borders, it makes sense to stay away.
Conclusion
Jordan offers a safe and welcoming environment for travelers who take ordinary precautions but at the moment it’s important to pay attention to the latest advisories as the Israel conflict can develop.