Note that recommendations in the Busty Girl Travel Series are based on my opinion. I paid for the trips with my own money and I was not given any compensation nor sponsorships.
Besides my love of providing my kindred spirit full bust ladies with nicely fitted attire that does pull or gape, I love to travel. Travel has been my passion ever since I graduated from college and got a real job that could pay for my trips. I recently visited Jordan and I wanted to share some tips to help others enjoy this beautiful country. What does this have to do with fashion or Exclusively Kristen...nothing. I am a multi-faceted woman who wants to help my supporters in more ways than one.
Jordan is a beautiful country with lots to do, but you have to be savvy. The sellers can be pushy and make sure that you bargain 50-75% off the asking price at the markets. I would avoid sellers at tourist sites. You can get better quality items at better prices in downtown Amman. Also, know that any local who approaches you to take your photo or show/explain sites to you, will demand a tip whether you asked for their services or not.
If you plan to do a lot of sightseeing, the Jordan Pass may be a good investment. Included with the pass is free entry to many sites and a waiver for the visa fee. Also, be sure to rent a car. Public transportation is negligible and Ubers can add up.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS FOR U.S. CITIZENS
Visa on arrival: 40 JOD
Negative PCR test taken with 72 hours of arrival
Visit Jordan registration and QR code
Proof of international health insurance
CURRENCY
Jordanian Dinar (JOD)
1 USD = 0.7 JOD
RENTAL CAR
Reliable Car Rental
Monte Carlo
AMMAN
Amman is the capital of Jordan and has some interesting sites. I suggest going on a free walking tour with Mujallie, which isn’t actually free. The fee is tip based, but it is a great way to get insider knowledge on the history of the capital and he's well worth a nice tip. The guides of most tours that I've taken sounded like a stale robots, but Mujallie made us feel like we were friends checking out the city.
Things to see
Roman Theater
Citadel
Royal Automobile Museum
Jordan Museum
Restaurants
Mamma Mia
Jordan Heritage Restaurant
Jadal for Knowledge and Culture
JERASH
Jerash is the largest and most preserved Roman ruins outside of Italy and is definitely worth visiting. After you enter the site, past the Hippodrome, there is a booth where you can hire a professional tour guide. However, you will probably be approached by sellers who will (uninvited) begin talking about the sites and won't let you get a word in or who will want to show you the moving columns. Just cut them off and say that you have no money for a tip.
THE DEAD SEA
The Dead Sea is definitely worth going. There are a few free or cheap public beaches, but I chose to get a day pass at Movenpick for 65 JOD, which included a food voucher. The Marriot was a better deal, but they were always sold out of day passes for non-hotel guests. Day passes at hotels are 40-65 JOD and some do not allow single men, so it is recommended to call before going. Also, some hotels do not have direct beach access. Bikinis are okay, especially at the hotels. However, if you choose to go to the public beach, be prepared for a lot of stares if you wear a Western style swimsuit. Be sure to rub the salt and clay on you. It's good for the skin.
PETRA
Petra is gorgeous and usually crowded, so it's best to go really early. I recommend a 2 day pass, which is 55 JOD. There's a front entrance and a back entrance. The front entrance is closest to the iconic Treasury while the back entrance, which is down a steep hill, is closest to the Monastery. The sellers at Petra are VERY pushy, but it is worth getting a ride on a mule up the 1,000 stairs to the Monastery. A fair price is 7-10 JOD. Those photos that people take looking down on the Treasury will cost you as well. The authorities closed easy access to the locations but you can pay a "guide" to take you up. There are two spots to get the photo and I paid a boy 10 JOD to take me to both locations. It was worth it because it is a steep climb and I wouldn't have been able to do it alone. Also, in one of the locations, there's a guy with a shop and if you don't buy anything, he will want a 2 JOD fee.
One of the highlights of my time in Petra was a friendly stray kitten. I only had water but she followed me 3/4 of a mile after I gave it to her and played with her for a while. I eventually scooped her up and took her to the security booth where they gave her food.
Hotel
Petra Plaza Hotel: Wonderful hospitality and the owner is a local who will give useful tips.
WADI RUM
Wadi Rum is definitely worth visiting for 1-2 days, but bring enough cash for your stay. There are no ATMS and everything, including tours and camps, are cash only. I recommend Wadi Nomads tours and camp. They are professionals and helped me when I was dealing with a scam artist at a different camp. Note that many camps require a 4WD ride through the desert to get to the camp and have little or no Wi-Fi. I will relay to you my review of a different camp as a warning:
"Staff are pushy scam artists and I do not recommend. Prior to my check in date, I got emails and pushy WhatsApp messages about tours offered. It was off putting and I should have went with my gut and cancelled my stay. I told them that I had already booked a tour and they asked questions about the other tour company and continued to push their tours. The guy seemed offended and kept asking why I didn't book his tour. Also, I had amended my booking from 5 days to 2 and I was asked why I changed. The excessive questioning about why I didn't book their tour and why I amended the booking was intrusive and unprofessional. The cherry on top of my experience is the camp is a 5 minute drive via 4x4 from the parking lot. I asked for a ride the next morning to my car because I had to drive to the tour company office for the tour. He said that free rides are only at check in and check out and demanded 20JOD ($28 USD), which he later dropped to 15JOD ($21 USD) after I objected and he refused to go lower than that. A 1 hour Uber ride from Amman to the Dead Sea is about 20JOD, so I knew that I was getting ripped off. I checked out the next morning, further amending my stay to 1 night instead of 2, and had a wonderful tour with a reputable company with lots of excellent reviews. The facilities are nice, but the way they treat their guests is awful."
The staff at Nomads were very accommodating and helpful given my situation. It is best if you book your tour and camp stay with the same company to avoid issues. Apparently, my experience isn't uncommon.
Tours
Wadi Rum Nomads
OTHER SITES IN JORDAN
Jesus' Baptism Site
Mount Nebo (where Moses saw the Promised Land)
Cave of the Seven Sleepers
Me at the Cave of the Seven Sleepers. An abaya is required for entry.