Is Petra Safe in December 2026?

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 to avoid: Understand that the short horse ride from the visitor center to the Siq entrance is technically included in your ticket, but tips are aggressively solicited. Arrange any longer horse or donkey rides through the official Petra visitor center and insist on a written price that includes the full round trip. Do not accept verbal-only agreements and carry small denomination Jordanian dinars for any tips you choose to give.

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 to avoid: All areas within the Petra Archaeological Park are included in your entry ticket. Refuse firmly and report to the tourist police.

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 to avoid: No guide is required inside Petra. Download a map beforehand and walk independently. Check the official Petra Visitor Centre for accurate info.

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 to avoid: The Monastery walk takes about 45 minutes on foot — handlers routinely lie about this. Agree on the exact total price before mounting any animal.

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 to avoid: Be aware this is a well-documented pattern at Petra. Keep interactions professional. Do not share contact details or personal information with vendors.