Jordan
Common tourist scams in Jordan and how to avoid them
Jordan's most common tourist scams are taxi meter refusal and inflated fares, unofficial 'guides' at Petra and Jerash, overpriced shops and camel or horse rides with surprise prices, and rental car fuel or damage disputes. Agree prices in JOD before you start, insist on the meter, and book Petra guides through the visitor centre. Jordan is generally low-risk for pickpocketing.
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- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
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Key facts
- Most common
- Taxi meter refusal, unofficial guides, inflated shop prices, surprise ride fees
- Where it happens most
- Petra, Jerash, Amman taxi ranks, Wadi Rum camps, border crossings
- Taxi rulecheck
- Meters are required in Amman; agree the fare before a long intercity run
- Petra guidescheck
- Official guides are licensed and booked at the visitor centre; anyone else is unofficial
- Pickpocket riskcheck
- Low; bag-snatching and distraction theft are rare but reported in Amman crowds
- If scammed
- Do not escalate; walk away, keep receipts, report to police on 911
- Currency
- Jordanian dinar (JOD); pegged to the US dollar at about US$1.41
- Emergency number
- 911 for police, ambulance and fire
Details
Jordan's scams are mostly about price, not danger. The pattern is the same everywhere: a friendly stranger or a service provider sets a vague price, then names a much higher number once you are committed. The fix is boring and effective — agree the number in Jordanian dinars, in writing or out loud, before anything starts.
Taxis are the single most common complaint. In Amman, drivers are supposed to run the meter; some claim it is broken or quote a flat rate that is well above the metered fare. Use a ride-hailing app where you can, or say 'meter, please' and be ready to get out and take the next car. For intercity runs to Petra, Aqaba or the Dead Sea, a fixed price agreed in advance is normal and fine — just confirm whether it includes the return and waiting time.
At Petra and Jerash, unofficial 'guides' approach you in the car park or on the trail and offer a tour, then demand a large tip or fee at the end. Licensed guides are arranged through the visitor centre and carry identification. The same applies to horse, camel and donkey rides at Petra: the ride may be included in your ticket, but the handler will ask for a tip, and the amount is negotiable. Agree it before you mount.
Shops near major sites sometimes start at three or four times a fair price, especially for Dead Sea products, spices, rugs and jewellery. Browsing is free; asking the price is not a commitment. If you feel pressured, walk out — that is a normal move and no one will chase you.
Rental cars bring their own version: fuel-level disputes, pre-existing damage not noted on the form, and pressure to buy extra insurance. Photograph the car and the fuel gauge before you drive off, and keep the signed condition sheet. At border crossings and airport arrivals, ignore anyone who offers to 'help' with paperwork for a fee; official staff do not charge for this.
| Situation | What they do | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Amman taxi | Say the meter is broken, quote a flat fare | Insist on the meter or use a ride-hailing app |
| Intercity taxi | Vague price, then a much higher number | Agree the JOD price and inclusions before departure |
| Petra or Jerash | Unofficial guide offers a tour, then demands payment | Book through the visitor centre; licensed guides carry ID |
| Petra animal rides | Ride is 'free', tip demand is large | Agree the tip in JOD before you start |
| Shops near sites | Opening price three to four times fair value | Ask, then walk away; no obligation to buy |
| Rental car | Fuel or damage dispute on return | Photograph car and gauge; keep the condition sheet |
| Border or airport | 'Helper' offers to speed up paperwork for cash | Use official counters only; staff do not charge |
Prices and practices vary; treat all figures as 2026 estimates (check).
Tips
Carry small JOD notes. Many 'scams' are really change problems: a vendor claims not to have change for a 50 and keeps the difference. Small notes solve this instantly.
Screenshot your ride-hailing fare before you get in. If the driver asks to cancel and pay cash, the price is no longer fixed.
Keep your passport and large cash in a hotel safe or a money belt, not a back pocket. Jordan is low-risk for theft, but crowded markets in Amman are where the rare cases happen.
If a deal feels rushed, it is. Real guides, real shops and real drivers will still be there in five minutes.
- Agree every price in JOD before the service starts
- Insist on the taxi meter in Amman; use an app if refused
- Book Petra and Jerash guides only through the visitor centre
- Photograph rental cars and fuel gauges before driving
- Carry small notes to avoid 'no change' losses
- Walk away from pressure; it is normal and safe to do so
FAQ
Sources
Questions people ask
What are the most common tourist scams in Jordan?
Taxi meter refusal and inflated fares, unofficial guides at Petra and Jerash, surprise fees for animal rides, overpriced shops near major sites, and rental car fuel or damage disputes. Most are about price rather than safety.
Is Jordan safe from pickpockets?
Largely yes. Pickpocketing and bag-snatching are uncommon compared with many tourist destinations, though crowded markets in Amman see occasional cases. Keep valuables in a money belt or hotel safe.
What should I do if I am scammed in Jordan?
Do not escalate or argue in the street. Walk away, keep any receipt, and report serious cases to the police on 911. For card or rental disputes, contact your bank or rental company with photos and paperwork.
Deep dive
Every source; changeable facts are marked check