tourist safety in Jordan- March 2015

I am a solo traveler from the US and am scheduled to visit Jordan next week for a week. I was excited about the trip and my research led me to believe that it is a very safe place to visit. However, I am now nervous after today's events in Tunisia and would like some guidance from you with regard to safety and security in Jordan particularly as it relates to popular tourist sites and attractions around the country. Also wondering how the pilot situation with ISIS last month and Jordan's retaliation has affected security within the country.

Would you suggest that I postpone my trip and come at another time when the situation in the region is better? Thanks and I appreciate your candid response.

It's very difficult to predict the future...
If you are stressed, it will be better to choose an other country.

Michel

Do you feel safe right now in India?

I presume, yes.

Can a terrorist attack happen in India?

Anytime.

What are the chances that you'll be a victim(you need to be right there, right then)?

Neglegible

The same goes for Jordan.

Would you suggest that I postpone my trip and come at another time when the situation in the region is better?

I wouldn't postpone the trip, because in most parts of the Middle East, the situation is getting worse before it's getting eventually better(or not).

I love the way bluedanube put it logical and realistic.
I add my voice to that view.
cheers
Raymond

Yes,as #2.

Nowhere is 100% safe...same story if you go to New York,Paris,London or Mumbai......

Jordan is not particularly dangerous,and the chances of you being in a terrorist attack are very,very low.......

BTW you know that nearly 250,000 people die every year in road accidents in India?

It is statistically a hell of a lot more dangerous to cross the road there than to visit a tourist site in Jordan........

thanks all for you replies. I am aware Jordan is one of the safest countries in the region and possibly the world. My nervousness was from recent ISIS related developments both specific to Jordan and attacks on tourists in neighboring countries. But rationally speaking, I agree there is no reason for concern. In fact all of this probably makes Jordan safer than before. The mind is silly and can err on the side of being irrational, despite well known facts and statistics to the contrary. Thanks again for your comments, you have certainly helped calm my nerves!

Hello,
I am off to Jordan tomorrow, I was also worried about current events but lots of people keep telling me it is a safe country.
I cannot wait to visit the place!
I just heard better avoid borders and that makes sense.
What are you planning to do over there ?

No need to go to the borders,unless you want to cross them ;-)

I think very few foreigners can (or want to)cross into Syria and Iraq at the moment,and few can cross into Saudi either....

Crossing into Israel is easy enough and there are no particular problems in those areas.

Hi. I am arriving tomorrow as well. Staying in Amman for 3 nights with day trips to the Dead Sea and Jerash. Also thinking of doing a bike ride to Madaba and Mt. Nebo with this bike company, Bike Rush (check them out on facebook) on Friday! Then off to Petra and ending the trip in Wadi Rum! how about you?

But why do you want to reach the borders?
There is enough to see inside the country.
No need to go to the borders areas.

Michel

Oh dear, don't misunderstand me, I am not saying go to the borders! I just made a point that people shouldn't be scared as long as they are far from the borders!
really stop being paranoid!

Overall Jordan is very safe. Jordanian authorities are competent.

The only thing I can say is that malls are said to be a possible target (there are a few in Amman.)

I visited Jordan last month and had a great time and never felt unsafe. I live in Iraqi Kurdistan and also never feel unsafe there. However, I can understand your concern. Before the attack in Tunis I would have scoffed at a threat to tourists and pointed out the geographical distance. Terrorist attacks were almost never targeted against western tourists. The attack in Tunis was. It does make me worry that there may be future attacks targeted at tourists. Many countries depend on tourism as part of their economy and the attack in Tunis must be absolutely devastating for Tunisia in particular but also the Middle East in general. I believe Jordan is still a very safe place to travel but I do think it's worth considering the potential for attacks targeted against tourists in the region. Unfortunately, there's really no way to measure how likely this is to happen right now.

The only way you could come into strife in Jordan is to head off on your own into the unprotected desert regions, where anything goes, but you wouldn't venture much beyond them. There are some various tourist sites in the east which can be visited safely with local guides. Of course, you have no reason to be blundering in the desert on your own, and like everyone says terrorism could happen anywhere any time and statistically you are more likely to die from things like coconuts dropping on your head, etc....so relax and enjoy your trip!

statistically you are more likely to die from things like coconuts dropping on your head

Except in Jordan! :-)

Hello Everyone,
As mentioned I am currently in Jordan and thé country is pretty safe. It is almost thé end of m'y trip :-( and I need some advice going from amman to thé dead sea. Jett bus only goes on Fridays and taxi are over priced. Anyone currently in amman? Thank you all

You can reach the Dead Sea by Hiace/minibus from Amman but it's not a direct one and you need to change on the way but it's doable.

Michel

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