|
Currency and Exchange
Rates
Jordan's currency is the Jordanian Dinar, or JD.
It is subdivided into 1000 fils, or 100 qirsh
or piastres. It appears in paper notes of 50,
20, 10, 5 and 1 JD denominations. Coins come in
denominations of 0.5 JD, 0.25 JD, and 100, 50,
25, 10 and 5 fils. The daily exchange rate is
published in local newspapers.
(As from June 28, 2001)
You can change foreign cash or
travellers' checks at any bank in Jordan. Only
travellers' checks will be charged a commission.
Also, there are authorized money-changers in Amman,
Aqaba and Irbid, and you will usually get a slightly
better rate of exchange at money-changers than
at banks. Hotels of three stars or above will
also change money but at a less favourable rate.
Foreigners are permitted to open accounts at Jordanian
banks in either Jordanian Dinar or in foreign
currencies. Currency exchange operates under the
guidelines and regulations of the Central Bank
of Jordan. The Central Bank also sets the minimum
and maximum interest rates for financial institutions
to follow.
 Entry
and Visa Requirements
Any non-Arab visitor to Jordan, whether for business
or tourism, needs an entry visa. Therequired fee
for a visa in addition to the granted stay duration
depends on the visitor's nationality.
Although entrance visas are obtainable at the
airport for visitors arriving by airplane, those
arriving by land must get a visa prior to arrival.
These are obtainable from any Jordanian diplomatic
mission abroad, where they generally take a day
to be received. Visas cannot be obtained at Jordan's
land border crossings.
 Visas
obtained in Jordanian consulates are valid for
3-4 months from the date of issue, and can be
issued for multiple entries. Tourist visas allow
a stay of up to one month initially. However,
this period can easily be extended for up to another
two months. After that date you must exit and
re-enter the country, or undergo immigration procedures.
If your visa has not been renewed properly by
the time you leave Jordan you will have to pay
a fine at the border. If you plan to stay for
more than two weeks in Jordan, you will need to
register at the nearest police station.
|
| |
| Health Requirements and
Recommendations |
 Inoculations
are not required unless you are travelling from
an infected location. If you come from a country
where diseases such as cholera and yellow fever
are prevalent, you will have to show a certificate
of inoculation at your point of entry into Jordan.
Although not required, it is preferable to have
preventative shots against polio, tetanus and typhoid.
Jordan is one of the cleanest and safest countries,
but it is nonetheless advisable to take some precautions
until your digestive system adjusts. Hotels rated
four-star and up have their own filtering systems,
and their tap water is safe to drink. In other places,
bottled water is recommended. All fruit and vegetables
should be washed thoroughly, and salads and cold
meats which have been sitting out for a long time
should be avoided, especially during summer months.
All Jordanian dairy products are pasteurised and
safe.
Medical services are well developed throughout Jordan,
with a medical centre or clinic in every town and
village. There are hospitals in Amman, Aqaba, Ma'an,
Karak, Madaba, Zarqa, Irbid and Ramtha. In the larger
towns and cities many of the doctors have been trained
overseas and speak English. Antibiotics and other
drugs normally sold on prescription in the West
are often available over-the-counter in Jordan.
You should carry prescriptions of any medicaments
you may need, making sure you have the generic name
as your specific brand may not be available. If
you wear glasses, bring a spare pair and a copy
of the prescription as well. |
| |
| Departure Tax |
|
|
| |
| Time |
 Jordan
is two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time. Daylight
Savings Time occurs between April and October. |
| |
|
Public Holidays
 Holidays
in Jordan are either religious (Islamic or Christian)
or celebrations of important events in Jordanian
or Arab history. Non-Islamic holidays are fixed,
while Islamic holidays vary according to the lunar
Muslim calendar.
|
| |
|
Islamic Holidays
 As
the lunar Hijra calendar is 11 days shorter than
the Gregorian calendar, each year Islamic holidays
fall approximately 11 days earlier than in the
previous year. The precise dates are known only
shortly before they fall, however, as they depend
on the sighting of the moon.
* Eid al-Fitr : Also known as al-Eid al-Sagheer
(the little feast). It is a three-day celebration
that marks the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting.
* Eid al-Adha : Known commonly as the al-Eid al-Kabeer
(the big feast). It falls at the end of the days
of Hajj season (pilgrimage to Mecca). It commemorates
the Prophet Ibrahim's offering of Isma'il for
sacrifice. During these four-day celebration,
families who can afford to slaughter a lamb share
the meat with poorer Muslims.
* Hijra New Year: Islamic New Year
* Moulid al-Nabi: The Prophet Muhammad's birthday.
* Eid al-Isra waal Mi'raj: The feast that celebrates
the nocturnal visit of Prophet Muhammad to heaven.
Business Hours
 Fri.'s
& Sat.'s are the weekly holidays were government
offices, banks and most offices close. Most businesses
and banks have a half-day on Thursday, and some
businesses and banks take Sunday as a half-day
or a complete holiday.
Government departments are open from 08:00 to
15:00 daily except Friday. Banks are open from
08:30 to 15:00, and some have recently introduced
afternoon hours from 16:00 to 18:00. Small shops
are open long hours, from around 09:00 until 20:00
or 21:00, often closing for a couple of hours
in the mid-afternoon. Most Muslim shop owners
close early or do not open on Friday, and Christians
follow similar rules on Sunday. However, the markets
and street stalls downtown remain open all week
long, and Friday is their busiest day of the week.
During Ramadan, the Muslim holy month of fasting,
business hours are shorter. Museums are generally
open every day except Tuesday, but opening hours
sometimes vary.
Electrical Current
 Jordan's
electricity supply is 220 volts/50 cycles AC.
Sockets are generally of the two-pronged European
variety, while a variety of other sockets and
plugs-especially the 13 amp square three-pinned
plug-are in use. To be safe, bring a multi-purpose
adapter. American equipment requires both an adaptor
and a transformer. Most varieties of adaptors
and transformers are readily available in electrical
shops throughout Jordan. Electrical current in
Jordan is reliable and uninterrupted.
Tipping
 Many
of the best hotels and restaurants will add a
gratuity of about 10% to your bill. However, smaller
establishments usually expect you to leave a tip
in line with the service you received. Taxi drivers
are generally not tipped, but it is customary
to pay the nearest round figure to the price on
the meter. It may be difficult to get change for
a large bill, so carry plenty of small denominations
and coins for taxis.
Weights and Measures
Jordan operates on the metric system. Length is
counted in meters, distances in kilometres, weight
in kilograms and volume in litres. You may come
across the measurement for land: the dunum. One
dunum is equivalent to approximately 1000 square
meters (10,760 square feet).
Credit Cards
 Credit
cards are accepted at most large hotels, restaurants,
car rental companies and tourist shops. The most
widely accepted cards are American Express, Visa,
Diners Club and Master Card. You can also use
your cards to draw cash (up to 500 JD's) at any
bank linked with your credit card network. Only
Jordanian bank account holders can use the automatic
cash machines outside some banks in Amman and
you should not attempt to use them.
|
| |
| |
|
