|
FAST FACTS (Jordan)
Fast Facts Travel Jordan Petra
Wadi Rum
BUSINESS HOURS
Friday is a weekly holiday, and banks, government
offices, and most businesses are closed. Many businesses and banks are also
closed on Thursday afternoon . A few businesses and shops are closed for part of
the day on Sunday. Banks open from 8:30-12:30, and some reopen in the afternoon
from 15:30-17:30 . Business offices are from 8:30-13:00 and 15:30-18:30.
Government offices are open from 8:30-14:00 Shopping hours are flexible. Some
shops are open from 9:30-13:30 and 15:30-18:00. Others may be open long hours,
from 8:00-20:00. Earlier closings are in effect during the month of Ramadan.
CLIMATE
Jordan is blessed with a Mediterranean climate for
pleasurable year-round travel. Amman is sunny and cloudless from may to early
November, with average temperatures around 23 Centigrade (73 F). Springtime
brings optimal weather, lush with greenery, and autumn is equally mild and
pleasant. July and August are hot and dry but not oppressive. Because of the
capital city`s elevation. evenings are cool. Aqaba and the Jordan Valley are
ideal winter resorts, with temperatures averaging 16-22 Centigrade (61-72 F )
between november and April.
FAX AND TELEX
Facilities are available in most major hotels.
Telegrams can be sent from Amman post offices, and telexes from various
telephone offices in the city.
POSTAL SERVICES
Services are available at the central post office in
downtown Amman (telephone 667133) and in branches throughout the city. Most
four-and five-star hotels also offer services. Hours are from 7:00 to 19:00 in
summer, and 7:00 to 17:00 in winter.
TELEPHONE SERVICES
Telephone services are efficient and reliable,
Directories in Arabic and English can be found in the larger hotels. For
directory assistance, dial 121 or 640444. Jordan also has international direct
dialling with most countries in the world, and calls can be made either from a
telephone office or hotel, with a three-minute minimum charge.
CREDIT CARDS
Credit cards are accepted at hotels, restaurants, and
larger shops, including American Express has an office in Amman (telephone
607014). Many small shops still prefer Jordanian currency. Automated teller
machines are increasing in Jordan but do not yet accept foreign cards. Credit
cards can be used for cash advances at banks that are linked with a credit card
network.
CURRENCY
Currency can be exchanged at the airport and in banks
and major hotels. All hard currencies are accepted, as are travellers checks.
The unit of currency is the Jordanian dinar (JD).
ELECTRICITY
The electrical system is based on 220 AC volts, 50
cycles, and requires rounded two-prong wall plugs.
HEALTH & MEDICAL SERVICES
Basic modern medical care and medicines are available in the principal cities of
Jordan, but not necessarily in outlying areas. Doctors and hospitals often
expect immediate cash payment for services. Serious medical problems requiring
hospitalization and/or medical evacuation to the United States can cost
thousands of dollars or more.
MEDICAL INSURANCE: U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the United
States. U.S. Medicare and Medicaid programs do not provide payment for medical
services outside the United States. Uninsured travelers who require medical care
overseas may face extreme difficulties. Please check with your own insurance
company to confirm whether your policy applies overseas, including provision for
medical evacuation. Please ascertain whether payment will be made to the
overseas hospital or doctor or whether you will be reimbursed later for expenses
that you incur. Some insurance policies also include coverage for psychiatric
treatment and for disposition of remains in the event of death. Useful
information on medical emergencies abroad, including overseas insurance
programs, is provided in the Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs
brochure Medical Information for Americans Traveling Abroad, available via the
Bureau of Consular Affairs home page or autofax: (202) 647-3000.
There are adequate
dental and medical facilities
in Amman (many doctors have studied in the U.S. or Europe and speak English).
Sanitary conditions
in most restaurants are generally good. In any event, most hot, freshly cooked
food should be safe (especially if it's included on a package tour), but
peel fresh fruit and raw vegetables
, make sure meat is cooked thoroughly, and avoid local dairy products. Assume
the
tap water is unsafe
(stick with carbonated, bottled or boiled drinks) -- if you spend much time in
the desert, you'll need to drink plenty of bottled water. We recommend that
visitors take along mosquito repellent: The mossies can be terrible in summer,
although they do not carry malaria. The dry, dusty atmosphere may aggravate
respiratory problems or make wearing contact lenses uncomfortable. See your
doctor about typhoid medication. Take along all
prescription medicine
needed for the trip. The
sun can be very strong
, so use sunscreen liberally and wear a hat. Don't forget to take along a pair
of
comfortable walking shoes
.
For more information, call the
CDC International Travel Information Service
(877-394-8747),
Health Canada
(613-957-8739),
Australia's International Traveler's Health Information Line
(6-269-7815) or the
U.K.'s Medical Advisory Service
(891-224-100).
EMERGENCIES
Jordan is an unusually safe and friendly place to
travel, and people are always helpful, whether in an emergency or otherwise.
Useful emergency telephone numbers include Ambulances and First Aid at 193, the
Blood Bank at 749121, the Police at 192, and Highway Patrol 656390.
VISAS & PASSPORTS
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: A passport and a visa are required. Visitors may obtain a
visa for Jordan at international ports of entry, not including the King Hussein
(Allenby) Bridge, upon arrival, for a fee. For further information, travelers
may contact the Embassy of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, 3504 International
Drive, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008, telephone (202) 966-2664. Foreigners who
wish to stay fourteen days or more in Jordan must register at a Jordanian police
station by their fourteenth day in the country. Failure to do so subjects the
traveler to a fine of one Jordanian dinar (currently U.S. $1.40) per day
overstay. This fine is usually assessed at departure.
TRAVEL BETWEEN JORDAN AND ISRAEL: Travelers may contact the U.S. Embassy in
Amman for the latest information on border crossing hours. Israel does not
require advance visa issuance for U.S. citizens traveling on tourist passports
at any crossing point. U.S. diplomatic and official passport holders are
required to obtain an Israeli visa prior to entering Israel. Jordan issues visas
at international border crossings (not including the King Hussein/Allenby
Bridge). To cross into Jordan at the King Hussein/Allenby Bridge, U.S. citizens
must already have either a visa for Jordan in their passport or an entry permit
from the Ministry of Interior. Both Jordan and Israel assess an exit tax for
tourist travelers at all border crossings. Note: "King Hussein" and "Allenby"
denote the same crossing point, which is referred to by Jordan as the King
Hussein Bridge, and by Israel as the Allenby Bridge.
DUAL NATIONALITY: Although no longer subject to immediate conscription, all
U.S.- Jordanian dual national males under the age of 37 are required to register
for service in the Jordanian military. Those subject to registration may be
prevented from leaving Jordan until permission to do so is obtained from
competent Jordanian authorities. This permission is often granted to U.S.
citizens, but may take some time to obtain and is limited to one trip only.
Consular assistance to dual nationals may be limited in some instances.
TELEPHONE CODES
| Amman |
6 |
| Petra |
3 |
| Aqaba |
3 |
| Um Qeis |
2 |
| Dead Sea |
5 |
| Jordan Valley |
5 |
|
