Petra

The main entry point is through the Siq, a dramatic 2-km sandstone canyon with colorful rock patterns and ancient terracotta water pipes. Guides can be hired from about 25 JD at the Visitors Center. Easyguide audio guides rent for 10 JD/day in English, Arabic, French, and Spanish. The park opens at 06:00 or 06:30 depending on season; arriving early lets you see the Treasury with minimal crowds and no vendors.

The main tourist trail is well-defined, but reaching higher areas like the Monastery (800+ steps) requires hiking 1-3 hours round-trip. Golf carts are available for short-term rental at the tourist center for those with mobility limitations. The further you stray from the main path, the fewer other tourists and police presence you'll encounter, so going in groups is advisable for off-trail exploration.

The coldest and rainiest months are December and January—warm during the day but very cold evenings and nights requiring coats, hats, and gloves. Avoid visiting if heavy rain is forecast as flooding is possible. In warmer months, the hot, dry air can cause nosebleeds; petroleum jelly inside nostrils helps. Summer visitors should carry plenty of water (10-20 JD per person for water inside the park) and use sunhat, sunglasses, and sunscreen liberally.

Wadi Musa offers accommodations across all budgets. Budget travelers favor the Valentine Inn (dorms from 5 JD, singles 8-14 JD) with free shuttle to the site. For mid-range, Cleopetra Hotel offers 25-30 JD with breakfast and transport. The most authentic budget experience is staying in a local Bedouin's cave—offer around budget accommodation prices plus a small donation for dinner and hospitality. Luxury options include Mövenpick Resort (from 99 JD) at the entrance and Grand View Resort (75-450 JD) with views of Jabal Haroun.

Local sweets at Al-Janoub cost 0.2-0.5 JD per piece. Al-Wadi Restaurant near Shaheed roundabout offers mains for 2-4 JD. Cleopetra below the Circle serves falafel or tea for about 1 JD. The Wrangler Bar at Petra Palace Hotel sells beer and wine for 4 JD. The fruit and vegetable market is next to the minibus station in Wadi Musa. A fruit and vegetable market is next to the minibus station in Wadi Musa. Souvenirs in Petra cost 2-3 times what you'd pay elsewhere in Jordan.

Beyond the iconic Treasury and Siq entrance, the Monastery is the largest carved monument (1st century AD), requiring over 800 steps and over an hour to reach. The High Place of Sacrifice offers panoramic views and elaborate rock altars (1.5-2.5 hr round trip). The Mountain of Aaron (Jabal Haroun) tops out at the tomb of Aaron, brother of Moses—a 4-8 hour trek. Petra by Night runs Monday, Wednesday, Thursday at 20:30 (arrive 20:15) for 17 JD, with candlelit approach and Bedouin music. The Petra Museum near the ticket booths is free and contains excellent artifacts. The Brooke Hospital for Animals clinic inside the entrance treats overworked donkeys, horses, and camels for free.

Sand art bottles are sold by vendors throughout Petra—small ones about 1 JD, larger ones up to 6 JD, using naturally colored sand scraped from Petra's canyon walls. Bracelets, necklaces, and rings vary widely; 1-5 JD is fair despite sellers claiming silver. The fruit and vegetable market is next to the minibus station in Wadi Musa. Be aware that prices in Petra/Wadi Musa are 2-3 times higher than elsewhere in Jordan, so consider shopping for souvenirs elsewhere if your itinerary includes other destinations.

Petra has significant safety concerns: animal mistreatment (horses, donkeys, camels beaten regularly, especially near closing time), fake park rangers who may try to confiscate tickets, and money exchange scams. Female travelers report financial scams and uncomfortable situations; declining invitations for walks or Arabic coffee is advisable. Going off the main tourist path is rewarding but risky—always go in groups. The valley can flood during heavy rain, and the authorities may need to evacuate tourists.

A backpacker budget for Petra should account for: park entrance (50 JD for one day, higher for multiple days), budget accommodation 5-25 JD/night, meals 1-10 JD each, water 1-2 JD/bottle inside the park, guide 25+ JD, audio guide 10 JD. Local caves with Bedouin hosts cost roughly budget accommodation rates plus a donation for dinner. Petra by Night is 17 JD extra. Transportation to Wadi Rum costs about 5 JD by bus or 40 JD by taxi.

Little Petra (Beidha) is a scaled-down version of the main site, accessible by taxi for about 25 JD round trip including waiting time, or by minibus around 12:00 for free. Wadi Rum desert valley lies about an hour south—buses leave around 06:30 for 5 JD. Dana Nature Reserve offers unforgettable hiking in the Great Rift valley. Kerak has a Crusader castle; the Dead Sea is famous for its canyons and floating. Madaba is the 'City of Mosaics' with a Byzantine-era mosaic map at St. George Church.

Easyguide audio guides are available as a mobile phone service on all Jordanian mobile networks. Most hotels in Wadi Musa offer WiFi, with some providing it free in common areas. Internet cafes exist in town. Jordan uses Type C, D, F, G, J, L electrical plugs, typically 230V/50Hz.

Many Bedouins in Petra work as touts focused on tourism; interactions are often brief. Some practices considered problematic include aggressive selling and animal mistreatment. Women should be aware that certain behaviors (sitting in front of taxi seats, accepting invitations from strangers) may be interpreted differently than in Western contexts. When trekking off main paths, always go in groups.

From Wadi Musa, minibuses to Amman leave hourly until 14:00-15:00; JETT buses depart at 17:00 from near the visitor center. For cheaper routes, public minibuses to Ma'an cost 0.55 JD, then to Aqaba 1.5 JD. Buses to Aqaba leave around 07:00 for 5 JD (tourist price), where you can cross to Eilat in Israel or Taba in Egypt. Taxis to Wadi Rum cost 40 JD. Budget tours organized through Valentine Inn (about 30 JD) include Shoubak Castle, Dana Nature Reserve, Karak Castle, Dead Sea, Mt. Nebo, Madaba, and Amman.