Petra: This ancient city carved into red sandstone cliffs is one of Jordan’s most famous landmarks and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Wadi Rum: This stunning desert valley is known for its natural beauty and cultural heritage, and is a popular destination for adventure activities and star-gazing.
Jerash: This well-preserved Roman city is one of the largest and most complete Roman sites in the Middle East.
The Dead Sea: The Dead Sea is the lowest point on earth and is known for its therapeutic mud and mineral-rich waters.
Aqaba: This Red Sea resort town is a popular destination for snorkeling and diving, and offers access to some of the best coral reefs in the world.
The Citadel: This ancient fortification located in Amman provides panoramic views of the city and the surrounding mountains.
Umm Qais: This ancient city located in the northwestern part of Jordan offers breathtaking views of the Golan Heights and Lake Tiberias.
The Baptism Site: This is the traditional location where John the Baptist is said to have baptized Jesus, and is considered a holy site by Christians, Muslims, and Jews.
The Royal Automobile Museum: This museum in Amman showcases the collection of late King Hussein, including vintage cars and motorcycles.
Kerak Castle: This well-preserved medieval castle located in southern Jordan offers a glimpse into the country’s rich history and cultural heritage.
Amman is the capital and the largest city in Jordan where the majority of the population resides, There you can see modernity mixed with antiquity in a special way.
In the Western Amman area, you see tall buildings, fancy restaurants, big malls, and beautiful new and modern houses built with limestone. Going downtown (Al Balad) you can experience a different essence. Like every country has its own Capital Downtown, Jordan has its own unique Downtown full of restaurants and great stores for shopping. It’s the more authentic part of Amman where you can enjoy a nice walk and see distinct shops; restaurants, coffee shops, souvenir shops, and jewelry stores
THINGS TO SEE AND DO IN DOWNTOWN
You can spend a whole day in downtown Amman and I recommend that you go on an empty stomach. start your visit to the famous Hashim Restaurant to have an amazing breakfast in an open-air area where you fill up with authentic dishes of the best Falafel, Hummos with minced meat, Fattet Hummos, foul, and a dish of vegetables. They’ve been serving Jordanian food since 1952.
If you are a sweet lover, you should try the famous Kunafah from Habiba Restaurant. It is one of the oldest, authentic and famous Kunafah in Amman. I personally found it too sweet because they add syrup, you can ask them not to add syrup and make sure you have a bottle of water or coffee to accompany the Kunafah.
A place that caught my attention is called Jafra cafe, an old traditional coffee shop with a vintage look. If you just want to relax and have a nice cup of coffee and experience a unique feeling you can visit this shop. This place is amazing, it is full of antique pieces hanging down the ceiling, and the design is just so beautiful. besides the people being so kind and the coffee smells beautiful, there is a nice view where you can experience and see people walking by the shop. They play nice old music by the famous Arabic singer Fairouz. The place is great and the overall experience and the atmosphere are great.
If you are looking for some great souvenirs there are many places where you can find souvenirs representing all parts of Jordan and Dead Sea products at reasonable prices and you can negotiate the price. They sell mugs, bracelets, bags, notepads, picture frames, clothes, personalized and custom-made sand jars of all sizes and so much more. if you are a jewelry lover, Amman downtown has many stores where you can find one of the best Gold and Silver stores of all kinds, the designs are beautiful and the prices are decent.
They have many Shisha stores where they sell different sizes and shapes.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
Jordan’s climate ranges from a more Mediterranean climate to a desert climate, and you can visit any time of the year, but the best time to go would be between March to June and September to November.
FOOD
Jordan is well known for its top-quality dates. I stopped at Khattab Dates shop to buy some. They sell plain dates of different sizes, also they have them coated with chocolate and stuffed with nuts. They have an amazing collection that I bought a variety of them to take back home as gifts.
TRANSPORTATION
To get there it took me about 20 min drive. if rent a car you can park in one of many parking lots there for 2 JD per day. or you can take an UBER for around 3JD per ride.
TIPS WHILE TRAVELING
Jordan is the safest country in the Middle East, even for female travelers. People in Jordan are welcoming and many speak English.
Before traveling to Jordan you should consider that it’s not a cheap country. a meal in a local restaurant– hummus and falafel – will be in the range of JD4. For the more fancy meals, you will pay up to JD 35. The exchange rate is 1.4 USD to 1 JD. Tipping is not mandatory but it is appreciated.
Wifi is available in restaurants and malls. but the best way to stay connected is to buy a local prepaid visitor SIM card at the airport. the price will range from 10 to 30 Jd depending on the plan and the duration.
Don’t drink tap water. I recommend that you only drink bottled mineral water which is available in all shops.
Know for the lagoon of seven colors, the Lagoon itself is 43km of amazing shoreline. Where you can do many water sports activities such as waterskiing, canoeing and of course swimming as fas as you wish and still touch the bottom surface. There are cenotes and some archeological sites Bacalar is a place to experience something magical away from all city attractions.
WHAT CAN I EXPECT IN BACALAR?
If you enjoy a quiet place where you love the water and nature, this is a place to be. You will encounter a beautiful lagoon where you can enjoy swimming like if you are on a natural pool. The people in Bacalar are so friendly, there’s hotels, airbnb where you can stay for the weekend or one night.
Bacalar, located in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo, is a beautiful town known for its stunning natural beauty and historical significance. Here are some reasons why you should consider visiting Bacalar, where to stay, and the best places to go:
Why Visit Bacalar:
Lagoon of Seven Colors: One of the main attractions of Bacalar is the Lagoon of Seven Colors. It is a large, crystal-clear freshwater lagoon that is perfect for swimming, kayaking, and other water activities. The lagoon is called “seven colors” because of its different shades of blue and green.
Cenotes: Bacalar has many cenotes (natural sinkholes) that are perfect for swimming and diving. Cenote Azul, Cenote Negro, and Cenote Esmeralda are some of the most popular ones.
Historical Significance: Bacalar was an important city during the Mayan civilization, and there are many archaeological sites and ruins to explore. The San Felipe Fort, built in the 18th century, is also worth visiting.
Relaxation: Bacalar is a quiet town with a laid-back atmosphere.
Where to Stay:
There are many accommodation options in Bacalar, ranging from budget-friendly hostels to luxurious resorts. Some popular options include:
Casa Bakal: A boutique hotel located on the shores of the lagoon, offering stunning views and a peaceful atmosphere.
Rancho Encantado: A luxury eco-resort with beautiful bungalows, a private beach, and a spa.
Hostal & Suites Pata de Perro: A budget-friendly hostel with dorm rooms and private rooms, located near the town center.
Best Places to Go:
Lagoon of Seven Colors: This is the main attraction in Bacalar, and you can spend hours swimming, kayaking, or simply relaxing by the water.
Cenotes: There are several cenotes around Bacalar, and each one has its own unique charm. Don’t miss Cenote Azul, which is known for its deep blue color and crystal-clear water.
San Felipe Fort: This fort was built in the 18th century to protect Bacalar from pirates.
Bacalar Town Center: The town center is a charming place to explore, with colorful buildings, lively markets, and delicious food.
Overall, Bacalar is a hidden gem in Mexico that offers a perfect mix of natural beauty, history, and relaxation. It is definitely worth a visit.
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