Visiting Jordan: The Ultimate First-Time Travel Guide to Petra, Wadi Rum, and the Dead Sea
Jordan had been on my list for years, and after spending 10 days traveling through the country, I can confidently say it’s one of the most rewarding destinations I’ve ever visited. Ancient cities carved into stone, vast desert landscapes, and the surreal experience of floating in the Dead Sea all come together in a country that feels welcoming, safe, and surprisingly easy to travel.
This guide is written from my own experience traveling through Jordan and is designed for first-time visitors who want a practical, well-paced trip that goes beyond surface-level sightseeing.
My Jordan Itinerary
This was my exact route through Jordan, paced intentionally to avoid rushing:
Fly into Amman and spend 1 night
Drive to Wadi Musa and spend 2 nights
Drive to Wadi Rum and spend 2 nights
Drive to the Dead Sea and spend 1 night
Return to Amman for 1 night before departure
I did not visit Aqaba on this trip, but I strongly recommend considering it if diving is of interest.
How Long Do You Need in Jordan?
Based on my experience:
If you want to visit Petra, Wadi Rum, and the Dead Sea, 5 nights is the minimum
If you want to enjoy these places without rushing, 7 nights is ideal
If you want a slower, more cultural experience, 10 nights is perfect
I spent 10 days and appreciated having time to slow down, talk with locals, and experience Jordan beyond just checking off highlights.
Amman: Best Place to Fly In and Out
I spent one night in Amman on arrival and one night before departure, which I think is the best approach. Amman is the easiest airport to fly into and out of, and while the city has interesting sites like the Citadel and Roman Theater, it works best as a logistical base rather than the main focus of a first trip.
Petra: How to Visit It the Right Way
Petra is the reason many people come to Jordan, and it absolutely lives up to the hype.
Where to Stay
I highly recommend staying as close to the entrance as possible.
Petra Guest House is the closest hotel to the entrance and makes it easy to be first inside the site before the crowds arrive.
For a more upscale stay, The Old Village Hotel & Resort is an excellent luxury option nearby.
How Long to Stay
Two nights is perfect.
Arrive in Wadi Musa, get settled, and head to The Cave Bar. Then go to bed early so you can enter Petra right when it opens.
Timing Matters
This is one of the most important tips in this guide.
You want to explore Petra in the early morning hours. Otherwise, the Treasury becomes extremely crowded. I strongly recommend walking through the Siq, the narrow canyon entrance, instead of taking the golf carts. Yes, the carts save time, but walking through the canyon is what builds the suspense. When the Treasury finally appears between the canyon walls, that moment is irreplaceable.
What Not to Miss in Petra
Hike to the Monastery. It is a long walk (and quite steep), but there are far fewer people, and it is even larger and more impressive than the Treasury.
Visit one of the Treasury viewpoints during the day. I highly recommend sitting with the Bedouins, sipping tea, and taking your time. On one visit, I ended up spending hours there and left having exchanged phone numbers and being introduced to others as a brother.
Attend Petra at Night. It is absolutely worth it. Walking through the candle-lit Siq, hearing traditional music echo through the canyon, and seeing the storytelling projected onto the Treasury creates a completely different experience from visiting during the day. Pro Tip: I advise walking down, but purchasing a ticket for the golf carts for the way back. The experience walking there by candlight is ethereal, but at the end of the night, the walk back is less enticing.
Wadi Rum: One Night vs Two Nights
Sunsets and sunrises in Wadi Rum feel otherworldly. For this reason, I highly recommend spending at least one night at a desert camp.
Where I Stayed
I stayed at two very different camps:
Aicha Luxury Camp, where I stayed in a panoramic glass dome
Mazayen Rum Camp, a more traditional tent-style Bedouin camp
Both had private bathrooms, showers, and air conditioning. Transportation into the desert is handled by local drivers using 4x4 vehicles.
How Long to Stay
If you only have one night, Wadi Rum is still absolutely worth visiting as long as you arrive early enough to experience the desert in the evening and again in the morning.
Two nights is ideal. The desert can be very hot in the middle of the day depending on the season, and staying longer allows you to enjoy the cooler morning and evening hours, go stargazing, and explore more of the landscape without feeling rushed.
Take a 4x4 Jeep Tour Through the Desert
If you do one activity in Wadi Rum, make it a 4x4 tour with a local Bedouin guide. This is how you actually see the scale of the desert.
The tours take you deep into the protected area, far beyond what you could reach on foot, and usually include stops at:
- Rock bridges
- Ancient petroglyphs
- Natural arches
- Scenic viewpoints you would never find on your own
Most tours are a half day and are timed around the cooler parts of the day. Morning and late afternoon are best, especially depending on the season.
This is also one of the easiest ways to learn about Bedouin life in the desert. My guide shared stories about growing up in Wadi Rum, their families, and the history of the land in a way that made the experience feel personal, not transactional.
1916 Arab Revolt Train Experience
One experience that surprised me was a historical reenactment tied to the 1916 Arab Revolt, centered around the Hejaz Railway. It is visually impressive, informative, and something many travelers miss. This reenactment only takes place on certain days, requires tickets in advance, and is included with the Jordan Pass, which makes it an even better value.
The Dead Sea: Surreal but Short
I spent one night at the Dead Sea, and in my opinion, that is all you need.
Floating here feels completely different from floating anywhere else. Instead of feeling like you are in the water, it feels like you are resting on top of it. I was genuinely surprised by how strange and effortless it felt, to the point where I could float comfortably while sipping coffee.
You can also coat yourself in mineral-rich mud, which is widely believed to help with skin hydration and inflammation.
Where I Stayed
I stayed at the Hilton Dead Sea Resort & Spa. The resort itself was very nice, although there was construction happening at the time, and I ended up switching rooms a few times due to a leak and a booking mix-up. The final room was great, and overall the experience was still relaxing.
Dead Sea Tips
Do not open your eyes underwater.
Do not stay in the water too long due to the high salt content.
One night is more than enough for most travelers.
Getting Around Jordan
I have traveled Jordan both by self-driving and with drivers.
Self-driving is very doable, but I strongly recommend avoiding driving at night. Many roads are not well lit, and speed bumps are common. During the day, driving felt straightforward and manageable.
Food and Local Experiences
Jordanian food was one of the highlights of my trip.
I ate a lot of traditional food prepared by locals, and places like Beit Khairat Souf are the kind of hidden gems that completely change your experience from feeling like a tourist to feeling like a guest. Sipping Bedouin tea with locals in Petra and Wadi Rum became one of the most memorable parts of my trip and something I found myself doing again and again.
Is Jordan Safe?
Jordan felt incredibly safe.
I never felt uncomfortable or in danger at any point. The people were kind, welcoming, and genuinely proud to share their country.
Should You Add Aqaba?
If you are interested in diving, Aqaba offers world-class Red Sea diving with coral reefs, shipwrecks, and excellent visibility. I did not make it there on this trip, but it is the first place I would add next time.
The Jordan Pass: Do Not Skip This
I highly recommend purchasing the Jordan Pass before arriving.
The Jordan Pass includes entry to Petra and many other attractions, covers the 1916 Arab Revolt train experience, and waives the visa fee if you stay in Jordan for at least three nights. There are different versions of the pass depending on how many days you want in Petra, which makes it an especially good deal if Petra is a priority.
I did my visa on arrival, but if I were doing this trip again, I would absolutely use the Jordan Pass from the start.
My Biggest Tip for Visiting Jordan
Timing is everything.
Visit Petra early in the morning.
Explore Wadi Rum in the morning and evening hours.
Walk through the Siq instead of rushing past it.
Some of the best moments in Jordan come from slowing down, not skipping ahead.
Final Thoughts
Jordan is not just a place you visit. It is a place you experience through its people, its landscapes, and its history. If you are planning your first trip, I hope this guide helps you see Jordan in a way that feels thoughtful, immersive, and real.
To your next adventure,
Dalt
