Petra Scams to Avoid in 2026 (Jordan)
Petra is one of the world's most iconic archaeological sites, but the ancient city is surrounded by hawkers running fake entry fees, misleading guide requirements, and inflated animal ride prices.
Tour & Activities scams are the most documented risk in Petra — 4 of 11 reported incidents fall in this category. See all 4 →
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Last updated: April 2, 2026
Unauthorized Ticket Sellers
Individuals near the entrance claim to offer discounted tickets or faster entry. Tickets are fake or stolen, and buyers are turned away at the gate without refund.
📍Outside the Petra Visitor Centre on Tourism Street in Wadi Musa, at informal ticket desks near the main entrance gate, and along the approach road where touts intercept arriving tourist vehicles
How to avoid: Buy Petra tickets only from the official Petra Visitor Centre or the Jordan Pass website. Never purchase entry from individuals.
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High Risk
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Medium Risk
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Low Risk
Petra · Jordan · Middle East
Open map →📍Where These Scams Are Most Active in Petra
Specific areas and landmarks with the highest concentration of documented incidents.
Unauthorized Ticket Sellers
Outside the Petra Visitor Centre on Tourism Street in Wadi Musa, at informal ticket desks near the main entrance gate, and along the approach road where touts intercept arriving tourist vehicles
Horse Ride Price-Switching at the Siq Entrance
Main Petra visitor center entrance and the 800-meter horse path leading to the Siq entrance gate, and along the Siq itself where donkey handlers also operate
Unofficial Photo Spot Entry Fees
On the cliff trails above the Treasury (Al-Khazneh) accessed via the High Place of Sacrifice path, and along lesser-used ridge paths above the Petra Basin where locals position themselves at natural viewpoints
Fake Mandatory Guide
At the entrance to the Siq canyon from the Petra Visitor Centre, near the main gate, and along the first few hundred metres of the Siq where touts intercept tourists before they begin the walk
Animal Ride Price Inflation
Along the main Siq canyon trail between the Petra entrance gate and the Treasury, at the base of the Monastery (Ad-Deir) trail, and in the Petra Basin where donkey and camel handlers congregate
Credit Card Currency Conversion Markup
At shops inside the Petra Archaeological Park, at souvenir stalls near the Treasury (Al-Khazneh) and the Petra Basin, and at card payment terminals in Wadi Musa hotels and restaurants near the Petra Visitor Centre
These areas are safe to visit — knowing the setups in advance makes them far easier to recognize and avoid.
How it works
Individuals near the entrance claim to offer discounted tickets or faster entry. Tickets are fake or stolen, and buyers are turned away at the gate without refund.
How it works
At the main entrance to the Siq, Bedouin handlers offer horse rides described as "included with your ticket" or quoted at a low fixed price to reach the Treasury. Once the ride is underway or upon arrival, the handler demands a much larger sum — often claiming the initial price was only a "tip" or that the return journey was not included. Refusal to pay can result in aggressive confrontation in an isolated area of the site. The horses are sometimes in poor condition and the handlers are not official Petra employees.
How it works
Locals positioned at cliff ledges overlooking the Treasury claim tourists must pay an unofficial "entry fee" of 5–20 JD to access the viewpoint, even though no such fee exists.
How it works
Hawkers near the Siq entrance tell tourists that a guide is legally required to reach the Monastery or Treasury overlook, showing a photo as "proof." The claim is false.
How it works
Donkey and camel handlers claim the walk to the Monastery takes hours on foot and only minutes by animal, but heavily exaggerate times. Final prices are far above what was initially quoted.
How it works
Some vendors and guides charge credit cards in USD rather than Jordanian Dinar, adding a 6% dynamic currency conversion markup that goes directly to the merchant.
How it works
Guides and vendors form romantic connections with solo tourists, then contact them after leaving Petra with urgent requests for money — a sick animal, a family emergency, medical bills.
How it works
Small guesthouses near the entrance advertise on booking sites with fake five-star reviews, then claim unavailability once you arrive. They pressure guests to book their "partner property" at much higher prices, citing sold-out online sites. Reviews have been purchased or fabricated by booking coordinators.
How it works
Restaurants and food stalls in Wadi Musa (the gateway town to Petra) commonly show tourists menus with prices two to three times higher than those charged to locals. Some establishments near the Petra visitor center claim to include government tax and a mandatory tip in the total, which are not standard practices. After a long day exploring the site, tired and hungry visitors are particularly vulnerable.
How it works
The 120-kilometer route from Aqaba to Petra is a common path for travelers arriving by ferry or cruise ship. Unofficial taxi drivers at Aqaba port and around Aqaba town quote fares several times the going rate, taking advantage of travelers with luggage who are unfamiliar with local pricing. Some drivers agree on a price at the start but fabricate additional charges on arrival, citing tolls, luggage fees, or waiting time. The legitimate fare for a direct private taxi is approximately 50–70 JOD, but tourists are regularly quoted 120–200 JOD.
How it works
Fake officials dressed in quasi-military attire at remote photo spots and hiking trail entrances demand "permit checks" or "safety fees." They produce laminated cards claiming authority and insist on cash-only fines for alleged violations. Real authorities direct visitors through official gates.
Petra Safety — Frequently Asked Questions
What scams target tourists in Petra?
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Filter scams in Petra by category, or read our worldwide guides for each scam type — taxi scams, street scams, restaurant scams, and more.
If you're visiting more than one destination
Similar scam patterns are active across the Middle East region. Before visiting Baku, Amman, and Beirut, review each city's guide — tactics vary and local setups differ even for the same scam type.
Editorial note: Scam warnings for Petra are compiled from government travel advisories (US State Dept, UK FCDO, Australian DFAT), verified news sources, travel community reports, and traveler-submitted incidents. All entries are reviewed for accuracy and local specificity before publication. Read our full methodology →