Tour & Activity Scams in Petra, Jordan
Unlicensed guides, fake tickets, bait-and-switch excursions, and ticket scalping. Below are the tour & activities scams reported in Petra — how they work and how to avoid them.
For broader context, compare this scam type with nearby destinations like Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Baku.
Last updated: April 2, 2026
4
Tour & Activities Scams
11
Total in Petra
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.
See all scams in Petra
11 total warnings across all categories