Travel in Jordan During Ramadan – What to Expect during your Visit to Jordan

Traveling to Jordan during Ramadan?  Here are some tips to help you continue to have a great travel experience as well as allow you to travel deeper this month.

Ramadan in Jordan – Travel Tips

• We specialize in Jordan, Tunisia, Israel & Palestine and Egypt, and we can confidently say no one in these countries will be expecting you to fast.  Both countries are used to foreigners and whether you are Muslim or not, as a foreign tourist it is an assumption you are not Muslim, thus not fasting. There is no expectation or legal requirement for visitors to fast.  So relax, Arabs are very generous and understanding people.

• That being said, we value respecting and honoring the local culture and people while we travel. Try to be considerate of those around you.  Eat or drink away from locals or friends who are fasting.  Chugging a Coke or scarfing a shawarma on the street is considered impolite during Ramadan.

• For obvious reasons, most restaurants are closed during the day.  If you are in Amman, Jordan and looking for a place to eat, check out this list from My Amman Life.

• Work schedules shift during Ramadan so if you are traveling this month you need to be aware of high traffic times.  Expect more traffic than normal around the times of 9:00 am, 3:00 pm, and before Iftar (breaking of the fast) between 7:00-7:30 pm.

• Tour sites in Jordan are open from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm during Ramadan.  Most sites will stop tourists from entering at around 4:30pm. Petra is open from 6:00am-6:00pm during Ramadan.

• Try fasting for a day or two during your trip.  Why not compassionately identify with 1.6 billion people of the world while you are traveling?  You never know, you may learn a lot about the local culture, religion and people.  I guarantee it will a good way to actively pursue a meaningful experience and gain greater insight and understanding while you travel.

• In light of the above, if you are wanting to make the most out of your travels during Ramadan, we would encourage you to meet a local Jordanian or Tunisian and if it works out participate in an “Iftar” dinner with them.  Are you traveling to Jordan?  Contact us and we will help organize an Iftar dinner for you with a local family.

• Say “Ramadan Kareem” (Happy Ramadan/Generous Ramadan) to locals you meet.  The smiles you receive in return will only add to your Ramadan travel experience.

Enjoy your travels to the Middle East this month!  Please let us know if you have any specific questions regarding traveling to Jordan, Tunisia, Egypt or the West Bank during Ramadan. Traveling to Egypt?? Check our blog on what to expect traveling to Egypt during Ramadan.

We would love to see or hear about any of your experiences this month.  Make a comment or post on our Facebook Page.