What do I need to know about Jordan before I plan my trip?

Language

Jordan’s official language is Arabic. However, many people speak English so getting around won’t be difficult.

Religion

Jordan is a Muslim Country with a large Christian community, Jordanians are known for their open-mindedness to other religions which unifies the country.

Currency

Jordanian Dinar is the local currency, which is about USD 1.4 / GBP .88 / Euro 1.25 keep in mind currency changes, it’s advisable to check international rates before you head to Amman.

Banknotes are JOD 50 / 20 / 10 / 5 and 1 with one Arabic side and the other English. For coins there’s Half-Dinar which is a metal seven sided coin with golden on the edges and a silver middle, Quarter-Dinar a golden smaller seven sided coin then there are the smaller silver coins being 10 piasters and 5 piasters.

Business Hours

Friday and Saturday are the official weekend days in Jordan, except for the private sector and non-governmental entities. Jordan’s working week is Sunday until Thursday, and working hours vary from one place to the other. Though, NAMES 2016 will be in October 26, 27 and 28, that come in Wednesday, Thursday and Friday respectively.

Time Zone

Time is GMT (+2 in winter and +3 in summer), or 7 hours ahead of US Eastern Standard Time. Summer time is observed from April through October.

Cultural hints and tips

Jordanians are known to be generous and liberals. However, there are few guidelines that one should follow in order to avoid cultural embarrassment.

Dress Code

The dress code varies depending in which area you are visiting. Generally, it’s advised to wear decent clothes. If you’re on a business trip for both men and women a suit or smart-casual outfit would do just fine.

Climate and Geography

Jordan has a combination of Mediterranean and arid desert climates, with Mediterranean climates prevailing in the north and west of the country, while the majority of the country is desert. Generally, the country has warm, dry summers and mild, wet winters, with annual average temperatures ranging from 12 to 25 C (54 to 77 F) and summertime highs reaching the 40s (105-115 F) in the desert regions. Rainfall averages vary from 50mm (1.97 inches) annually in the desert to as much as 800 mm (31.5 inches) in the northern hills, some of which falls as snow.

Tipping and Etiquettes

Tipping is not required but always appreciated. Most of restaurants and hotels add 10% to the bill; however, a small tip for waiters is optional but appropriate. For hotel bellmen and porters, 2 or 1 JD, or US$ 2 is customary. In taxis, pay the nearest round figure to the price on the meter. However, it all depends on your preference and the service quality.

Plan Your Trip

Visa

A visa might be mandatory to enter Jordan, please contact the Jordan Embassy in your country to take in depth details concerning this matter. However, numerous countries may obtain the visa from the airport upon arrival.

• Single Entry visas valid for two months: JOD 40 (approximately USD 56)
• Double Entry visas valid for three months: JOD 60 (approximately USD 85)
• Multiple Entry visas valid for six months: JOD120 (approximately USD 170)

Payment for your visa should be made in Jordanian Dinars and cash. An exchange office is available at the airport.

To make sure if you require an entry visa to Jordan please click here.

Flying In

Participants outside Jordan are responsible of booking their flights; please note that registration fees don’t include flight expenses. The conference will start on October 26 at 9:00 AM and will end up in October 28 at 5:30 PM, so please book your flights according to the dates.

Accompaying Person Package

The Accompaying Persons, who will join the Gala Dinner and the City Tour, is kindly requested to fill out the Online Registration Form. Also kindly feed NAMES Secretariat Office via email namesnetwork@bibalex.org with the name of said person, no later than, Monday, 10 October 2016.