Nestled between Israel and Iran, Jordan has started to suffer collateral consequences of the Israel-Hamas war and the Israel-Iran conflict.
Starting April 13, the Jordanian government closed its airspace due to the imminent retaliation of Israel against Iran. Consequently, local and international carriers have had to cancel and reschedule flights over the short term.
Jordan itself is a wonderful travel destination considered to be mostly safe by multiple countries around the world. Entering the territory is still safe via land crossings from Saudi Arabia.
The government said it’s closely monitoring the situation to determine when it can safely reopen its airspace, but it’s uncertain when it will happen.
LATEST NEWS from Jordan:
Official travel advisories from multiple governments recommend avoiding visiting the Jordanian border with Syria and Iraq and Zarqa and Rusayfah due to terrorism concerns.
Other than that, the vast majority of the country’s territory is considered relatively safe to visit.
Authorities have assured that they are committed to ensuring the well-being of all visitors with whom they are willing to share their unique culture and history.
“We understand that tensions around the world can raise concerns, but we believe in the power of travel to foster understanding and build bridges between nations,” said officials.
As Jordan airspace is closed for the time being, an alternative to entering the territory is by land from Saudi Arabia via private car or taxi services.
Areas to Avoid
Jordan is classified as a relatively safe country but it has regional advisories. That means that a few areas are considered risky, including – as it was mentioned before,- the Jordan-Syria and Jordan-Iraq borders, along with Zarqa and Rusayfah due to potential terrorist attacks.
Syrian refugee camps are not particularly dangerous but access to these territories is restricted by the local government.
Amman, the country’s capital, is generally considered safe day and night even for solo female travelers. However, due to political demonstrations that have been happening over the last few months near the Israel and US embassies, it’s recommended to avoid these areas.
Official Travel Advisories
US Travel Advisory
Although the US government ranks Jordan at “Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution,” which means it’s quite safe, it informs citizens that terrorist organizations have the potential to attack tourist venues, transportation centers, shopping malls, and similar facilities.
To minimize risks, monitor local news channels to learn about breaking events; be aware of your surroundings; and don’t take part in or be in close proximity to large demonstrations.
Not all Jordanian territory is safe. So check out our “Areas to Avoid” section to learn about what places you must refrain from visiting.
Canada Travel Advisory
“Exercise a high degree of caution” when visiting Jordan. Land border crossing hours may be affected by the Israel-Hamas ongoing war. So, verify the status of the border you intend to cross before departure.
Large gatherings and demonstrations are mostly peaceful and typically occur on Fridays near places of worship, some refugee camps, and the American and Israeli embassies in Amman. But avoid taking part in them.
Domestic or international terrorists can attack Jordan at any time. So, make sure to register or update your personal information at the Registration of Canadians Abroad service to obtain information about “departure options.
Safety Tips for Jordan
These recommendations will help you stay safe.
- Monitor the national news to always be aware of the military decisions taken by Israel and Iran that can hurt Jordan.
- Don’t take part in political demonstrations.
- Dress modestly, especially on religious sites.
- Watch out for traffic; it can be dangerous when crossing roads.
- Be vigilant in tourist areas to avoid pickpockets.
- Vaccinations against hepatitis A, hepatitis B, rabies, and typhoid are recommended.
- Don’t drink tap water.
- Keep the local emergency numbers and the numbers of your embassy or consulate handy.
- There have been reports of Bedouin men who woo single women in Petra and Wadi only to ask them for money later.
- Ask your taxi driver if the meter is in fils or dinars before traveling so you know how much you are expected to pay. Some drivers take advantage of the confusion.