The weather in Jordan in March packs the chill of winter and the warmth of spring, sometimes at the same time. While the sun finally packs some warmth in this part of the Middle East, the air is still cold and warm layers are essential.
But what is the temperature in Jordan in March? Well, it depends on where you are as Jordan has vastly different geographical zones. In places like Amman and Petra it can be wet and cool, where in Aqaba it is warm enough to swim in the Red Sea.
Amman Weather March:
While the cold of January and February are starting to pass, Amman sees average highs of 17 degrees and lows of 6 degrees celsius. March can be very rainy, so make sure to have waterproof clothing and footwear.
Aqaba Weather March:
Just 4 hours by bus from Amman, Aqaba’s climate is quite different to Amman. Highs can reach 27C and lows are around 14C. Rain is unlikley here.
Petra Weather March:
Petra lies over 1000m above sea level. Its mountainous climate means it has cool March weather, much like Amman. Its highs in March reach 21C and lows of 7C. March can be very rainy. Ensure you pack some flexibility into your itinerary as forecasts of heavy rains will close Petra to protect visitors from flash floods that come from the mountains.
While March is the start of the best time to visit Petra, especially for hikers, plan for cool weather, especially early on in the month.
Is March a good time to visit Jordan?
If you are not looking for summer weather than March is a good time to viist. It is the start of the busy season (which generally revolves around the weather) but it is not the busiest time. The best time to visit Jordan is late spring and fall.
What to Expect Weather in Jordan in March
The weather in Jordan in March can be very unpredictable and it is getting wetter every year. You should plan for cool weather and ensure you have a good waterproof jacket and a hat.
You definitely want to dress in layers. Smartwool socks and base layers are a great start. I have a complete Jordan packing list you can refer to as well!
The weather in Jordan in March can be very wet flash floods can occur in downtown Amman as well as in Petra as the many nearby hills will all send rain down into the low points.
There is also a chance that the highways will be closed during heavy rainfall.
When planning a trip to Jordan in March you are going to want to plan some flexibility into your itinerary. You will not want to miss out on the bucketlist sites like Petra due to pouring rain! Make sure you keep that in mind when you are planning.
More Jordan Travel Resources
In order to help make your visit to Jordan as memorable as possible, I have created a number of resources from planning guides to local eats.
If you have just begun the planning, check out 101 Things to do in Jordan to give you some inspiration on the places you want to make sure you have time to see. Are you a backpacker? Or like to travel like one? Check out my guide to backpacking Jordan.
Rental Cars are very popular in Jordan, get a quote on renting a car before you arrive. I also have a 7 day self drive itinerary that is very popular.
If you are working on a self-drive itinerary or plan to see the country independently, there is a guide on getting around in Jordan.
If you are thinking of booking a tour, or wondering how much hassle a self drive itinerary can be, check out this post I have on the best Jordan tours to book.
For your time in Amman, check out top things to do in Amman and where to eat.
For your time in Petra, check out our guide to Petra and what to eat in Wadi Musa.
5 Things to Bring with You to Jordan
I have always been a guide book person and physically having that book in your hand as you plan your day, in addition to blogs like this one, can help immensely. Pick up a Lonely Planet Guide to Jordan (or the kindle version) before your trip to Jordan.
Chap Stick/Lip Balm (and lotion if you have dry skin) – Let me tell you, I do NOT have dry skin, but Jordan and much of the Middle East has a dry climate that many are not used to. Bring a good chap stick / lip balm. I like Sol de Janeiro from Sephora and your lips will thank you (You can also get it on Amazon here)!
Unless you are staying in five-star hotels, do not expect much in the way of bathroom amenities, so if you like a good body lotion, bring your own. There are great travel sizes from Sephora here.
Whether you want to keep the sun off your head or want to show a little modesty, a scarf goes a long way in Jordan any time of the year. You can bring one with you or pick up one when you arrive, but don’t leave your hotel in the morning without it! It can serve as a hat to keep the sun off your head and neck in the summer and can add some warmth in winter and can offer modesty to cover shoulders for women.
A Grayl Water Bottle is something I recommend for every traveller, not just those going to the Middle East. Some people say the water is safe to drink from the tap, others say it is not; it is not something I am going to chance. And Jordan has a HUGE garbage problem. The streets, the forests and even the desert are littered with plastic bottles.
If you consider drinking at least 1-2 big water bottles a day while you are there, think of how much plastic that creates when every visitor and the population’s 9 million people do the same. With a Grayl, you can filter any tap water (or actually any water source) and have clean drinking water in seconds. Since most people travel with water bottles already, consider one like this with a filter so that you are not just pouring from big water bottles to small. It might sound expensive, but when you compare it to spending a few dollars per day on water while you travel (and do not forget how expensive the water is inside airports), you will pay for this very quickly.
An inexpensive Universal Travel Adapter is another must for Jordan. You will find an assortment of 220V plugs, from European 2 pin, another style of 2 pin and UK Plugs. While European 2 pin is most common, it is best to carry one of these adapters with you. With a handy USB input, you do not need to bring your plugs from home.
Kleenex or Wipes are another thing to put on your list. Jordan’s public washrooms (and even restraint or hotel lobby washrooms can often be unstocked. Unless you are good with a bidet sprayer, bring yourself some kleenex or wipes just in case! You will find that most washrooms in tourist sites and rest stops have an attendant that will give you toilet paper and paper towel for a small tip. Usually half a dinar is fine.
In Jordan, the plumbing is not set up to handle toilet paper. Every bathroom (even hotels) you should use the garbage can beside the toilet for your toilet paper and any sanitary products.
Travel Insurance for Jordan
There are a few other things to think about when it comes to travel. The first thing is travel insurance. Whether it is an emergency room visit for something as simple as strep throat, or an emergency appendix surgery, or an unfortunate moped incident things do go wrong when people travel everyday.
I highly suggest travel insurance and a good policy. I personally never travel without it, and I even checked into my policy about care for my children if I am ever in an accident or hospitalized. There are just too many things to think about.
You can find out more information and buy your travel insurance here.