We're based in Wadi Musa, the town at the Petra gate, and this is the question we get most. The short answer is yes: travellers are visiting right now, and the places on a standard Jordan itinerary aren't the places the government warnings are about. The longer answer is a map, and it takes five minutes to read.
Where the warnings actually point
Jordan shares borders with Syria and Iraq in the north and east. That's where the specific warnings sit, along with a few areas around Zarqa and Ma'an city that visitors don't pass through on a normal trip.
Petra is more than 250 km south of the Syrian border as the crow flies. Wadi Rum is further south again, out in the desert near the Saudi border. Aqaba is on the Red Sea, and the Dead Sea is on the western edge of the country. The usual loop of Amman, Jerash, Petra, Wadi Rum and the Dead Sea stays well away from the flagged zones.
What the advisories say (as of Oct 2026)
Governments rate Jordan differently, so it's worth reading the actual wording rather than a headline.
- United States: Level 3, "Reconsider travel". It was raised in March 2026 after regional hostilities began in late February. The State Department names border areas, refugee camps and parts of Zarqa and Ma'an, not Petra or Wadi Rum.
- United Kingdom: advises against travel only within 3 km of the Syrian border (page updated September 2026, checked 27 October).
- Canada:"Exercise a high degree of caution", with non-essential travel to avoid in Zarqa Governorate and the part of Mafraq Governorate west of Ruwaished (updated 28 October 2026). No tourist areas are flagged.
None of the three names Petra, Wadi Rum, Amman, Madaba, the Dead Sea or Aqaba as places to avoid. All three do mention a general terrorism risk, in the same way many advisories for Europe do.
Planning tip: the practical effect of a Level 3 is often your insurance, not your itinerary. The UK page notes that cover can be invalid if you travel against advice, and some policies treat certain advisory levels the same way. Read your policy's Jordan wording before you pay a deposit anywhere.
What it's like on the ground
Quieter. Petra had 281,123 visitors from January to July 2026, down 3.7% on the same months of 2025 (Petra News Agency figures reported by Jordan News). Jordan as a whole recorded about 3.15 million visitors in the first half of 2026, according to the government's own progress report. That's a modest dip, not an empty country.
For you it can mean a little more room on the trails. Spring is still the busy season, so book Wadi Rum camps early.
The one effect worth planning around is flights. Regional events have occasionally brought temporary airspace closures and schedule changes. If the fare difference is small, book a flexible ticket, and confirm any changes with your airline directly, not through a booking site.
Everyday safety
Day to day, Jordan's risks are ordinary ones.
- Crime: generally low. The UK page mentions pickpocketing, bag-snatching and theft from parked cars, so lock the car and keep your bag zipped in crowded places like downtown Amman.
- Taxis: in Amman, Uber and Careem avoid most fare arguments. In Wadi Musa and at Petra, agree the price before a ride or a horse starts.
- Demonstrations: they happen, mostlyon Friday afternoons in Amman and other cities. Walk the other way and you won't notice them.
- Driving: it's the thing we'd think hardest about. Night driving on the Desert Highway has caught people out, with stray animals, broken-down trucks and unlit stretches. A driver costs less than a single bad night.
- Heat and water: more visitors need help from the sun than from anyone else. Carry water at Petra and start early in summer.
- Drinks: stick to sealed bottles and licensed venues. The UK notes methanol-contaminated alcohol as a risk.
If you need help, the police number is 191, and the Tourist Police hotline is +962 79 550 5755 (Jordan government list). Your hotel or guide will ring for you faster than you can look it up.
How we plan trips right now
A typical plan looks like this: Petra with a guide on the
main trail, a night or two in Wadi Rum on the
classic jeep tour, and a driver between them so nobody is on the Desert Highway after dark. If you're arriving in Amman, the
Amman to Petra day tour is the simplest way to see the Treasury without a hire car.
If you're nervous, tell us when you write. We'd rather answer your questions before you book than after you land. You can reach us on the
contact page, and for families or bigger groups, see our
private group tours.
FAQ
Is Petra safe to visit right now?
Petra and Wadi Musa aren't named in the US, UK or Canadian advisories as areas to avoid, and visitors are still arriving every day. Normal precautions apply: water, sun, and an early start.
Is Wadi Rum safe?
Wadi Rum sits in the far south, a long way from the flagged border zones, and isn't named in any of the three advisories we checked. Stay with a licensed Bedouin guide and a registered camp.
Should I cancel my trip because of a Level 3 advisory?
That's your call, and we won't tell you what to do. Check your travel insurance first, book flexible flights where you can, and read the advisory text itself, not the number alone.
Is it safe to drive in Jordan?
The roads are fine in daylight, but night driving, especially on the Desert Highway, needs care. Many visitors book a driver between Amman, Petra and Wadi Rum.
Where can I check official advice?
The US
travel.state.gov page, the UK
foreign travel advice,
Canada's travel advice, and the
Jordan Tourism Board.
Last updated: 30 October 2026. Advisories can change quickly, so check the official pages before you fly.
