Three Golden Rules for Safe Travel to Jordan

1. Always look at the American State Department Warnings at travel.state.gov for the most recent events in tourist safety.


2. Be careful not to get ripped off. Scams and conmen of all kinds are abundant in tourist rich areas. When I was there, a tour guide from a tour company we were traveling with tried to charge us $200 for a 20-minute detour to Kerak castle. Always decide what things are worth to you before consulting a local tour guide. That said, locals are usually very friendly and will want to help you.


3. Ask shopkeepers for advice or directions rather than passerby. People who own or work at shops are usually nice and speak good English. All of the shopkeepers I met were very kind and willing to give us directions. It is unwise to ask the opinions of people out on the street. Also, don't publicly say that you support Israel. Old wounds between these countries take a long time to heal.


Jordan is an excellent country to visit, if only for the spectacular rock-carved tombs at Petra. They are also one of the most stable nations in the Middle East. Don't let anything you hear stop you from going. If you want to see more Golden Rules, click here.


E-mail me with any questions at michaelworldtravel@gmail.com. Or just e-mail me anyway. You will probably receive a response quickly, because I am somewhat unoccupied.