Inoculations are not required unless you are travelling from an infected location. If you come from a country where diseases such as cholera and yellow fever are prevalent, you will have to show a certificate of inoculation at your point of entry into Jordan. Although not required, it is preferable to have preventative shots against polio, tetanus and typhoid.
Jordan is one of the cleanest and safest countries, but it is nonetheless advisable to take some precautions until your digestive system adjusts. Hotels rated four-star and up have their own filtering systems, and their tap water is safe to drink. In other places, bottled water is recommended. All fruit and vegetables should be washed thoroughly, and salads and cold meats which have been sitting out for a long time should be avoided, especially during summer months. All Jordanian dairy products are pasteurised and safe.
Medical services are well developed throughout Jordan, with a medical centre or clinic in every town and village. There are hospitals in Amman, Aqaba, Ma'an, Karak, Madaba, Zarqa, Irbid and Ramtha. In the larger towns and cities many of the doctors have been trained overseas and speak English. Antibiotics and other drugs normally sold on prescription in the West are often available over-the-counter in Jordan. You should carry prescriptions of any medicaments you may need, making sure you have the generic name as your specific brand may not be available. If you wear glasses, bring a spare pair and a copy of the prescription as well.
Currency and Exchange Rates: Jordan's currency is the Jordanian Dinar, or JD. It is subdivided into 1000 fils, or 100 qirsh or piastres. It appears in paper notes of 50, 20, 10, and 5JD denominations. Coins come in denominations of 1 JD, 0.5 JD, 0.25 JD, and 100, 50, 25, 10 and 5 fils. The daily exchange rate is published in local newspapers. Exchange rate is approximately USD 1 = JD 0.71. Credit cards are accepted at most large hotels, restaurants, and most stores. The most widely accepted cards are American Express, Visa, Diners Club and MasterCard.
Entry and Visa Requirements: Any non-Arab visitor to Jordan, whether for business or tourism, needs an entry visa. The required fee for a visa in addition to the granted stay duration depends on the visitor's nationality. Although entrance visas are obtainable at the airport for visitors arriving by airplane, those arriving by land must get a visa prior to arrival. These are obtainable from any Jordanian diplomatic mission abroad, where they generally take a day to be received. Visas cannot be obtained at Jordan's land border crossings. Visas obtained in Jordanian consulates are valid for 3-4 months from the date of issue, and can be issued for multiple entries. Tourist visas allow a stay of up to one month initially. However, this period can easily be extended for up to another two months. After that date you must exit and re-enter the country, or undergo immigration procedures. If your visa has not been renewed properly by the time you leave Jordan you will have to pay a fine at the border. If you plan to stay for more than two weeks in Jordan, you will need to register at the nearest police station.
Time Zone: From end of October through end of March, Jordan is two hours ahead of GMT. The rest of the year, Jordan is three hours ahead of GMT.
Electrical Current: Jordan's electricity supply is 220 volts/50 cycles AC. Most hotels can accommodate 110 volts. Sockets are generally of the two-pronged European variety. Most varieties of adaptors and transformers are available in electrical shops throughout Jordan.
Weights and Measures: Jordan operates on the metric system. Length is counted in meters, distances in kilometers, weight in kilograms and volume in liters.
Business Hours: Government offices and banks work five days a week with Friday and Saturday off. Business hours are from 8:00 to 15:00. Shopping hours are flexible and generally shops are open until 21:00. Most shops are closed on Fridays except for shopping centers.
Tipping: It is recommended that you leave a 10% tip in places where there is no service charge in accordance with the quality of the service. Taxis are not tipped but it is customary to pay the nearest round figure to the price on the meter.
Languages: Almost all Jordanians speak a dialect of Arabic as mother tongue; increasing numbers speak or understand Modern Standard Arabic. Most of those people who have another native language (e.g., Circassians, Armenians) also speak Arabic.
