Activities and excursions in Aqaba, Jordan
Aqaba has plenty of restaurants and cafes to suit all tastes. Traditional Jordanian cuisine is
offered throughout the city, from fast food; offering falafels and shawarmas to meals of lamb
cooked for hours.
Aqaba is also an excellent city to savor freshly caught seafood. The best fish restaurants can
be found near the fishing port. Note that most local restaurants do not serve alcohol. But do
not worry; there are a lot of bars in town that you can visit after your meal!
Our tip: The traditional Jordanian dish is Mansaf – slowly cooked lamb in a yogurt-based
sauce served with rice and pine nuts. Warmly recommended!
In Jordan, here are some other places you shouldn’t miss:
Wadi Rum – following in Lawrence of Arabian’s footsteps by jeep, horseback, or camel.
After admiring the beautiful scenery, relax for the evening in one of the Bedouin
camps, enjoying a traditional meal and sleeping under the stars. 1-hour drive from
Aqaba.
Dead Sea – not recommended for diving! But a great day to relax and test the mud,
supposedly having great healing properties. 2.5 hours from Aqaba
Best time to visit Aqaba
The high seasons are from April to June and from September to November. In January-
February, scuba diving is generally not popular due to the water temperature, which drops to
around 18 ° C, but the city itself is always crowded, as it is a good time for other excursions
in Jordan. Summer is normally very calm as the air temperature is far too hot, exceeding 50 °
C in July and August.
The best time to visit is September / October when the water is warmest and clearest, and the
air temperature is around 30-40 ° C. Even in the peak season, crowds never reach the size of
those in Egypt, so if you don't like crowds, Aqaba is still a great alternative to Egyptian
resorts on the Red Sea.
Health and security
Health – no special vaccination is necessary, although usual MMR, polio, and tetanus are
recommended.
It is strongly recommended that you have full travel and diving insurance, as hospital costs
are relatively high. Seeing a doctor for a diagnosis will cost you at least 10 JD (the US $ 14), the
same for any other treatment or medication you may need.
Safety – in the main areas of Aqaba, local people are used to tourists and therefore you should
feel safe and welcome. Most Jordanians are very friendly and known for their hospitality.
Aqaba is a vacation resort, so a casual dress code is expected, however, overly revealing
clothing like swimsuits should only be worn on beaches. The bare breast is really not
recommended.
If you are traveling further north to smaller towns and villages, women, in particular, should be
more respectful by covering their shoulders and knees, as these areas do not see the same
the influx of tourists as Aqaba and Amman.
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If you are planning to go on a trip to Aqaba, I recommend investing in good travel insurance
that also covers scuba diving. You never know what can happen, and having the right
insurance can get you out of tough times.