Middle East

The Middle East is a diverse region, and safety conditions vary enormously by country — it's important not to treat the region as a monolith. Jordan is one of the safest and most welcoming countries in the world for tourists, with Petra, Wadi Rum, and the Dead Sea all heavily visited and very accessible. Oman is similarly safe and has an extraordinary culture of hospitality toward visitors. The UAE (Dubai, Abu Dhabi) is extremely safe and has world-class tourist infrastructure. Israel and the Palestinian territories have a complex security situation that requires careful research and attention to current conditions. Some other countries in the region have active conflicts or significant security concerns — always check your government's current travel advisory for each specific country before you plan a trip, and never assume that conditions in one country reflect conditions in neighboring ones.

Jordan is one of the most rewarding and accessible destinations in the Middle East, and a few things make a first visit significantly smoother. The Jordan Pass — which covers the visa fee and entry to over 40 attractions including Petra — is excellent value and worth buying before you travel. Petra requires at least two days to explore properly; most travelers who spend only one day leave wishing they had more time. Wadi Rum, the vast desert landscape of red sand and sandstone mountains, is best experienced with an overnight stay in a Bedouin camp rather than as a day trip. Dress modestly throughout the country — covering shoulders and knees is appropriate in most contexts, and women may want to carry a scarf. Jordanians are extraordinarily hospitable, and accepting tea or coffee when offered is a genuine cultural exchange rather than an obligation to buy. The Jordanian dinar is the currency, and ATMs are widely available in cities and tourist areas.

The best time to visit most Middle Eastern destinations is from October to April, when temperatures are comfortable for outdoor exploration. The summer months (June to August) are extremely hot in most of the region — temperatures in Jordan, Oman, and the UAE regularly exceed 40°C (104°F), making outdoor sightseeing genuinely uncomfortable and sometimes dangerous. Spring (March to May) and autumn (October to November) are the sweet spots: mild temperatures, clear skies, and the main tourist sites at their most accessible. Ramadan, which moves through the calendar year, changes the rhythm of daily life significantly in Muslim-majority countries — many restaurants close during daylight hours, and the pace of life slows. Visiting during Ramadan can be a fascinating cultural experience, but it requires some adjustment to expectations around food and drink availability during the day.

Citizens of many countries — including the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and most EU nations — can obtain a visa on arrival at Queen Alia International Airport in Amman and at most land border crossings. The Jordan Pass, which is purchased online before travel, includes the visa fee and entry to over 40 attractions including Petra, making it excellent value for most visitors. The pass requires you to stay in Jordan for at least three nights to be valid. Some nationalities can obtain an e-Visa online before travel. Always check the current requirements for your specific nationality before you go, as policies can change. If you're entering Jordan from Israel via the Allenby/King Hussein Bridge crossing, note that this crossing has different procedures from the airport and other land borders.

Middle Eastern food is one of the great culinary traditions of the world, and experiencing it properly is one of the best reasons to visit the region. The mezze tradition — a spread of small dishes shared at the table — is the foundation of the dining culture: hummus, baba ganoush, fattoush, tabbouleh, kibbeh, falafel, and dozens of other dishes arrive together, creating a meal that's as social as it is delicious. Bread is central to every meal — the flatbreads of Jordan and Lebanon, the khubz of the Gulf, and the ka'ak of the Levant are all extraordinary. Slow-cooked meats — mansaf (Jordan's national dish of lamb cooked in fermented yogurt), shawarma, and whole-roasted lamb — are the centerpieces of celebratory meals. The coffee and tea culture is equally important: Arabic coffee flavored with cardamom and rosewater, and sweet mint tea, are offered as expressions of hospitality throughout the region.