Is Amman Safe in January 2026?

In bars and nightlife venues around Shmeisani and Abdoun, an attractive local strikes up a conversation and begins ordering drinks for the table without showing a menu. Each drink is priced at 40–70 JOD, and a cover or table reservation fee of 100–200 JOD is added to the bill at the end. The person ordering works for the establishment. Multiple travelers on TripAdvisor forums have reported bills exceeding 500 JOD for what appeared to be a casual evening out.

How to avoid: Ask for a printed menu with prices before any drinks are ordered. If a companion is ordering on your behalf, insist on seeing the menu yourself. Prepay or set a spending limit upfront, and leave any venue that refuses to show prices.

In the narrow, crowded lanes of Downtown Amman — particularly around the Al-Husseini Mosque souk, the gold market on King Talal Street, and the produce markets near the Roman Amphitheatre — pickpockets and bag-snatchers work the dense crowds. The US State Department and multiple travel advisories specifically flag the older parts of Amman city center as the primary location for theft targeting foreign nationals. Thieves often work in pairs, with one creating a distraction while the other takes wallets, phones, or camera bags.

How to avoid: Keep phones and wallets in front pockets or a buttoned bag worn across the chest. Avoid having your camera dangling loosely. Be especially alert when crowds thicken around market stalls or when someone bumps into you unexpectedly.

Taxi drivers in Amman frequently refuse to use the meter with tourists and instead quote flat rates that are three to five times the actual metered fare. Drivers claim the meter is broken or that fixed rates apply for tourist destinations such as the Citadel or downtown.

How to avoid: Insist the driver uses the meter (the Arabic word is "addad"). If they refuse, exit and find another cab. Alternatively, use the Careem app for fixed-fare rides. Agree on a price in advance for longer journeys.

Unofficial guides outside Petra ticket gates offer tours for seemingly low prices, then demand much more at the end, citing additional services rendered. Some take tourists to souvenir shops for commissions.

How to avoid: Book licensed guides through the Visitor Centre at Petra or arrange through your hotel. Agree on the total cost and duration in writing before starting. Official guides carry identification issued by the Ministry of Tourism.

Budget tour operators selling day trips to Petra from Amman advertise very low prices that exclude the Petra entry fee (50 JOD for non-Jordan Pass holders), transport beyond the visitor center, horse rides, and guide tips. The actual cost ends up far higher than quoted.

How to avoid: Always ask for a complete breakdown of what is included. Consider purchasing the Jordan Pass before arrival, which includes the Petra entry fee and is better value for multi-site visitors. Read recent reviews on TripAdvisor.