What to pack for Jordan: Must-Have Items for Every Traveler
Hey, fellow travelers! As we gear up for our epic journey with The Hybrid Tours to Jordan, it’s time to start thinking about what to pack. We’ll be exploring ancient ruins, wandering through breathtaking deserts and chilling by the coast. Here’s your go-to guide for what to bring to make sure your Jordanian adventure is nothing short of amazing.
Clothing Essentials
We always plan our trips during the best times of the year, so the weather should be pretty great. Not sweltering hot but it’s important to keep in mind that we will be in the desert most of the time. Here’s what you should toss in your suitcase:
For Warm Weather
Light, Airy Clothing: Think linen or cotton T-shirts, shorts, and breezy dresses. These materials will keep you cool and comfy under the Jordanian sun. Yes, you can wear shorts in most of the country! Although we would recommend not wearing any in Amman and up north where it’s more conservative.
- Comfy Walking Shoes: Sneakers and/or walking sandals are your best friends for exploring cities and desert trails. Make sure your shoes have a good grip, and do not forget that we’ll be going to the desert, so bring a plastic bag to keep your shoes separate and your clothes free from sand! Expect a good amount of walking, especially in Petra.
- Swimming clothing: we’re going swimming! Or more like never sinking in the Dead Sea. This is the experience of a lifetime and one you should ALL do. You’ll rub some mud on yourself before jumping in the lowest body of water on earth. Do NOT shave at least a day or 2 before going in. You’ll regret it otherwise! And make sure to bring a book or newspaper along for that iconic Dead Sea picture.
For Cooler Evenings
- A Light Jacket: Evenings might get a bit chilly, so a light jacket or sweater will keep you cozy.
- Layers: Pack a few layers that you can easily add or peel off as the temperature changes during the day.
For Rainy Days
- Rain Jacket or Poncho: Showers are rare but can happen, so be prepared with a compact rain jacket or poncho.
For Conservative Areas
Jordan is modern but still holds onto traditional values, especially in rural and religious spots. There’s one day on our tour where we’ll all need to dress more conservatively.
- Conservative Outfit: Pack at least one outfit that covers your shoulders to your knees. For women, pants and a T-shirt or a long dress/skirt work great. Men should go for longer pants and a shirt with sleeves.
- Scarf or Shawl: Ladies, you might need to cover your head in certain areas, so bring along a lightweight scarf or shawl for that day. We recommend always keeping one with you in this part of the world.
Comfort and Convenience
Beyond clothing, here are a few essentials to make sure you’re comfortable and ready for anything:
- Daypack: A small backpack for day trips to carry your water, snacks, and other must-haves.
- Reusable Water Bottle: Staying hydrated is super important, and a reusable bottle is eco-friendly too. Tap water isn’t recommended, but bottled water is easy to find and you’ll find many hotels have tanks you can fill up your water from..
- Sunscreen and Hat: Protect yourself from that strong Jordanian sun with some good sunscreen and a hat.
- Aloe Vera Gel: If you do catch a bit too much sun, aloe vera will be your best friend. Trust us, you’ll be glad you packed it.
- Mosquito Repellent: You can easily buy this in Jordan, but it’s handy to have, especially in the summer.
- Anti-Motion Sickness Pills: Some of our trips include long drives. We’ll take breaks, but if you’re prone to motion sickness, pack some just in case.
- Portable Fan: A small, handheld fan can be a lifesaver when it’s really hot, especially if you’re not used to the heat.
- Flip flops: you can take waterproof sandals but we’d personally recommend a pair of plastic sandals that can easily get wet and not damaged. These will be extremely useful when we go to the Dead Sea. If you happen to have water shoes, feel free to bring those too!
- Towel: Towels will obviously be provided at our accommodations but we recommend a microfiber towel for any extra activities you might engage in.
Tech and Connectivity
Staying connected is important for navigation, sharing your adventures, or just checking in with home.
Chargers and Adapters
- Universal Adapter: Jordan uses the standard European two-pin plug (Type C, D, F, G, and J), so make sure you have the right adapter. We recommend buying one of those universal adapters that can be used in multiple parts of the world.
- Portable Charger: A power bank is a lifesaver for keeping your devices charged on the go.
- Converter: most devices nowadays have double voltage built in. Check the devices you’ll be bringing along and if you need a converter feel free to bring one, although this is very rare.
Staying Connected
We recommend embracing the fact that you’re on holiday and staying disconnected! Except for Wadi Rum, we guarantee that you’ll have access to WiFi every morning and evening at our accommodation. However, here are a few options:
- Local SIM Card: Getting a local SIM can be a bit of a hassle (this will take 30-60 min and needs to be done with a passport), but this can be done during your time off in Amman. Your phone needs to be unlocked for this.
- e-SIM: This can be easily downloaded into your phone before you arrive. We recommend using Airalo for convenient e-SIM options, so you’re connected from the moment you land.
- WiFi: WiFi is pretty common in hotels, so you can rely on it for staying online.
Money Matters
Knowing the local currency and how to handle payments will make your trip smoother.
- Currency: The Jordanian Dinar (JOD) is the local currency. 1 USD = 0.71 JOD (currency subject to change, this is for summer 2024). Yes, the Jordanian Dinar is one of the world’s strongest currencies in the world. Even stronger than the Euro and British Pound! This is why this is one of those countries where it’s better to travel as part of a group to keep costs down.
- Cards and Cash: Cards are widely accepted in cities, but cash is king in rural areas. You can easily withdraw cash when you arrive. We recommend Wise, Revolut or Monzo for Europeans and the rest of the world (subject to availability) and the Charles Schwab debit card for US travelers to avoid transaction fees.
If you need to get a travel debit card, get it when you read this! Most people forget it and then end up paying extra in fees.
- Small Bills and Coins: Keep smaller bills and coins handy. These will be super useful when we’re making group payments or buying small items.
- USD or Euros or Pounds: If you’d like to tip people on the ground, we recommend keeping foreign currency or Jordanian Dinars with you. A $ or Euro here and there might not seem like much but it can really make a difference on the ground to people working in the hospitality industry.
Final Tips
- Shopping: Amman is the best and most affordable place to shop. You might be tempted to buy stuff elsewhere, but we recommend saving your shopping for the capital unless it’s something unique to a specific area.
- Embrace the Experience: We encourage you to disconnect and fully immerse yourself in the adventure. But if you need to stay connected, those e-SIM and WiFi options will allow you to stay online.
- Tips: Many people working in the tourism industry don’t have a steady income and rely heavily on tips for their livelihoods. This is optional. If you’d like to tip your main guide at the end, we recommend tipping 5-10% of the total tour cost.
- Donations: we will be visiting different organizations throughout our trip. Please know that traveling with The Hybrid Tours means that we’ve already made donations and payments as a group on your behalf. This is part of the work that we do and how we truly can support displaced communities on the ground. If not, it would be exploitative. However, you are more than welcome to give an additional donation if you’d like to.
- Visa: our package already includes a visa, and this will be handled on arrival. Someone will be at the airport waiting for you BEFORE you go through passport control with a sign. It’s like VIP service! If your nationality needs additional documents, we’ll be sending these to you directly.
- Insurance: please remember that insurance is MANDATORY for the duration of any Hybrid Tour.
With this starter pack, you’re all set for an incredible time in Jordan. We’re looking forward to welcoming you here soon! Pack smart, stay comfy, and get ready for an adventure you’ll never forget! Interested in more trips? Check out what else we’ve got planned here!
