1. "A place is only as good as the people in it." Nothing can describe Jordan better. It is not a rich country by any economic indices like the GDP or per capita income. But the people are rich. By this I mean that it is the warmest and friendliest country I have been among the 64 I have been to. Every person you meet, be it from any walk of life, a taxi driver, a policeman, hotel staff, shopkeepers, random people on the road, they all wish you warmly and say, Welcome to Jordan, enjoy. I heard it a countless time during the 8 days I was there. It comes from their hearts, is spontaneous and they mean it. Most of them ask for your impression of their country. When you tell them that it is a fantastic country with awesome people, they are thrilled to bits.
2. People make the best ambassadors of their country. No country that has polite and hospitable citizens have to advertise their greatness. Jordan is a country one will feel like coming back to again and again.
3. For the reasons mentioned above Jordan is one of the most tourism friendly countries I can remember going to. There are amazing historical, biblical and natural sites to visit, be it Petra, Wadi Rum, Aqaba, Dead Sea, Madaba, Mt Nebo, Jerash, Umm Qais and Amman itself. Jordan is one of the oldest inhabitations in the history of mankind, and therefore, there's plenty to explore.
4. Littering is virtually non-existent. People don't discard anything wantonly. Trash bins and cans are available in most places and people take care to use them. The local administration also ensures that trash is cleared regularly; I didn't see a single overflowing trash can or bin, even in the most crowded areas. Warning signs are prominently placed warning people from littering. An act of littering will invite a fine between 59 and 500 JD!
5. Of course, one exception to the rule of littering is discarding cigarette buts. In this land of 'devout' smokers neither can smoking in public be banned nor casting away its leftover. When I asked the taxi driver in Wadi Musa why Jordanians smoke so much, he said that they don't feel the ill effects of smoking as they are neutralized by the liberal use of olive oil!
6. The roads and pavement, especially in commercial areas, are cleaned regularly. I found many establishments water washing the pavement and roads near their shops. The municipal workers are visible, and their work is ample evident.
7. Next to Australia, surely Jordan has the largest population of common house flies. It is everywhere and was especially severe in the Dead Sea area. It is a major nuisance, and it even affects peaceful exploration of tourist attractions. I was given to understand that the government has initiated steps to stem this menace.
8. The Police department is truly a friend in need. The presence of their personnel, whether traffic or tourism police, can be termed omnipresent. You don't have to look far to locate them. They are either on their feet or patrolling in vehicles. The way they carry out their functions is exemplary. One thing must be said of the Jordanian police force - they are civil, polite and extremely friendly. They start with a "How are you, my friend?" to put you at ease. Then they ask, "Where are you from?" and their response to "India" is "Very good". The next query is, "How do you find Jordan, my friend?". When I told them that I found it fascinating, he quickly said, "Thank you. Enjoy, my friend. Be safe".
9. Even though Jordan has not been in an armed conflict directly since the 1967 war, it is a country that has been affected time and again by regional conflicts. Countries issue travel advisories when there is strife in countries neighboring Jordan or in the Middle East region. This affects the Jordanian economy that thrives primarily on tourism. Entrepreneurs and businesses related to the tourism and hospitality industry get affected, as has been the case in 2025. It is sad to hear stories related to an emasculated economy. Nevertheless, the people are cheerful and friendly. They have no bones to pick with anyone. They keeps saying, Welcome to Jordan, my friend. When elephants fight it's the ants that get hurt.
10. Jordan is one of the countries besides Turkey that has an open-door policy with regard to refugees. So much so that nearly 3.8 million of the 11.5 million inhabitants of Jordan are refugees from Palestine, Syria and even Egypt. I broached this subject with one of the taxi drivers, expecting to hear something negative, especially about the government policy. I was wrong, drastically wrong. The humble taxi driver taught me a lesson in tolerance. He said God created this earth for people to live. When fellow human beings are in trouble who has to help them? Besides, the refugees also contribute to nation building by working hard in fields and jobs that require labour. Wow, wasn't I floored? Wish we all, as one, could accept this wisdom and live peacefully.
11. For anyone who has personal safety in their mind, let me tell you that Jordan is one of the few countries in the world where one can feel perfectly safe, even in the dead of night. Because of the people, for sure. But, most importantly, systems work. Police are there, especially the Tourism Police, to handle any distress you may have. By and large, people are law abiding, and the law is strictly enforced. Nobody has any latitude with the law.
12. The Souqs, markets, are mostly busy. But they are clean and odor free, even the sections that sells fish and meat. Garbage is discarded appropriately and the Souqs are washed regularly. Bargaining does take place, but amicably. The range of products available in the Souqs is extraordinary.
13. Most attractions in Jordan have a visitor center. The visitors' center in all the attractions I went to were extremely informative, peopled by dedicated, friendly and hospitable staff and has well maintained amenities for visitors.
14. There are people who drive like maniacs in the downtown area of Amman, mostly taxi drivers. They are the only ones who normally honk, too. However, when it comes to the other places and highways the road rules are a hundred percent followed. The speed limits are, by and large, observed because any violation invites a fine starting with 20 JD; it goes up to over 200 JD, I was told, for severe violations. Cameras ensure that the prescribed speed limits are observed. The speed limits are reinforced through road signs at frequent intervals, be it on the highways or in a city or town.
15. The roads are well maintained; I didn't see a single pothole during the 1300 km drive in the country in 6 days. The Desert Highway and the King's Highway, two roads that connect Amman and Aqaba are exceptional. The only irritant while driving in Jordan are the speed bumps that creep upon you without a warning. Most of them aren't pre-warned or suitably painted for visibility.
16. The Jordan Valley is fertile and produces a wide variety of vegetable sand fruits. Its agricultural produce is exported all over the Middle East. Cucumber, tomatoes, potatoes, onions, mint, leafy vegetables, carrots and fruits like peach, fig, grapes, watermelon, etc. are raised in plenty. I was told by a couple of sources that the farmers are adequately compensated. The availability of cheap refugee labor increases their 'take home'.
17. The new generation farmers have also become more enterprising. They are even making the desert lands bloom. I heard of a place called Mafrooq, north of Jerash, where enterprising farmers have started planting olive trees using groundwater and drop irrigation.
18. Jordan has its own brand of beer, named, what else, Petra. It comes in three strengths, 8, 10 and 12 per cent alcohol. The price in Aqaba is almost 49 percent less than in Amman and elsewhere. This is due to the duty free status of Aqaba.
19. Fuel in the whole country has a single price, across companies. Jo Petroleum is the star owned entity. The other major oil company is Mansreef. Jordan does not figure among the countries rich in oil and gas. Hence, most of its crude and products are imported. While Octane 90 is priced at 0.855 JD a liter (₹ 107), diesel is 0.650 JD per liter (₹ 81.30)
20. Food is diverse and wholesome. Kuboos, pita bread and numerous other flatbreads are common. They don't have to be ordered separately; they come along with the main dish ordered. Besides, the portions are huge and impossible to be finished in one sitting. Even a portion of shawarma or falafel took me at least two sittings to finish. Considering the size of the portions, it can be said that the food is affordable. Bakery products like bread, bun and biscuits are very cheap.
21. The currency exchange rate vis-à-vis USD is fixed for every transaction in the currency, be it in money exchange centers, banks or hotels. At the airport, however, they charge a commission. The currency exchange rate in force is 0.7080 USD for 1 Jordanian Dinar. When credit cards are used in fuel stations and for taxi rides, a surcharge is payable.
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