If you are planning a trip to Jordan, what to wear in Jordan is sure to be on your mind. Especially if it is your first visit to the Middle East. Although there is no “dress-code” in Jordan, there are some cultural norms that you should follow when you visit a conservative country.
This post has everything from what to wear in Jordan in December to what to wear in Jordan in July. Jordan has 4 definite seasons, and you need to make sure that your wardrobe matches the climate!
Climate in Jordan
The weather in Jordan can be vastly different, even in such a small country. It has 4 distinct bio-geographical zones, and while you might get away with a t-shirt in Aqaba in winter, you are going to need to winter coat when visiting Petra. If you look at the charts below, the high elevation of Amman and Petra mean that the weather can be very cool in the winter months.
Amman Weather
| Month | Average High | Average Low |
|---|---|---|
| January | 54°F / 12°C | 38°F / 3°C |
| February | 57°F / 14°C | 40°F / 4°C |
| March | 63°F / 17°C | 44°F / 6°C |
| April | 73°F / 23°C | 50°F / 10°C |
| May | 81°F / 27°C | 57°F / 14°C |
| June | 87°F / 30°C | 63°F / 17°C |
| July | 89°F / 32°C | 67°F / 19°C |
| August | 89°F / 32°C | 67°F / 19°C |
| September | 86°F / 26°C | 63°F / 17°C |
| October | 79°F / 26°C | 57°F / 14°C |
| November | 67°F / 19°C | 47°F / 9°C |
| December | 57°F / 14°C | 41°F / 5°C |
Read more: Amman weather in January, Amman weather in February
Aqaba Weather
| Month | Average High | Average Low |
|---|---|---|
| January | 70°F / 21°C | 50°F / 10°C |
| February | 74°F / 23°C | 52°F / 11°C |
| March | 80°F / 27°C | 58°F / 14°C |
| April | 89°F / 31°C | 65°F / 18°C |
| May | 97°F / 36°C | 71°F / 22°C |
| June | 102°F / 39°C | 76°F / 25°C |
| July | 105°F / 40°C | 80°F / 26°C |
| August | 104°F / 40°C | 80°F / 27°C |
| September | 99°F / 37°C | 76°F / 25°C |
| October | 92°F / 33°C | 70°F / 21°C |
| November | 81°F / 27°C | 60°F / 16°C |
| December | 73°F / 23°C | 52°F / 11°C |
Petra Weather
| Month | Average High | Average Low |
|---|---|---|
| January | 59°F / 15°C | 37°F / 3°C |
| February | 62°F / 17°C | 39°F / 4°C |
| March | 69°F / 21°C | 44°F / 7°C |
| April | 79°F / 26°C | 52°F / 11°C |
| May | 87°F / 30°C | 58°F / 15°C |
| June | 93°F / 34°C | 63°F / 17°C |
| July | 96°F / 35°C | 67°F / 19°C |
| August | 96°F / 36°C | 67°F / 19°C |
| September | 92°F / 34°C | 63°F / 17°C |
| October | 84°F / 29°C | 56°F / 13°C |
| November | 71°F / 22°C | 46°F / 8°C |
| December | 62°F / 17°C | 39°F / 4°C |
What to Wear in Jordan as a Woman
Typically conservative dress means shoulders covered and clothing to the knee. This is a good measure in Jordan as well. Low cut shirts should be left at home, so should the short shorts. Even in the summer, I only have one pair of shorts for hanging out at the beaches in Aqaba.
In the cooler months, it is quite easy to dress, as the cooler weather means pants and jackets, but in the hot summer sun, sometimes the thought of long pants and tshirts seems unbearable. Let me tell you, I did not personally find Jordan as hot as I thought it would be. Due to many high elevation sites, although the sun is hot, the temperature is not unbearable. Keeping hydrated and keeping the sun off your head is key to keeping cool in the hot months.
I personally do not wear sundresses or dropped pants much at all, but you will see plenty of tourists in them. You will also sea tourists in short shorts and tank tops in places like Petra in the summer, but you would never see a local dressed that way.
When it comes to hiking, long tights or leggings are ideal, any time of year. Layers on top are perfect for cooler mornings and hot afternoons. If you have certain attire that you want to use for Instagram shots in Jordan, I suggest you pack it in your day bag, put it on for your photos, and pack it back into your bag, especially if it is not ideal for hiking, or not culturally conservative dress.
Can you wear a bathing suit or bikini in Jordan? When visiting the Dead Sea, a bikini is fine, but bring a cover-up for walking to and from the water or around a hotel pool. The same goes for Aqaba. most locals on the public beaches will be fully covered, but if you are at the pool or in the water, a bathing suit is just fine. Just cover up when walking around town.
READ MY FULL JORDAN PACKING LIST FOR WOMEN HERE
What to Wear for Men
You will rarely see a local Jordanian wearing shorts, unless they are in Aqaba at the beach. With that being said, men can get away with shorts in Jordan. Tourists, in reality, can wear whatever they want, but if you are looking to respect the local culture, then opt for pants and tshirts in most situations. You will see plenty of tourists in the popular tourist sites wearing shorts and blending in with them is just fine also.
A scarf or hat is good for the winter months for warmth and the summer months to keep the sun off your head.
Pack a warm jacket and gloves for the winter months, November to March.
Do not forget your bathing suit for the Dead Sea and Red Sea beaches in Aqaba.
READ MY FULL JORDAN PACKING LIST FOR MEN HERE!
What to Wear in Jordan for Kids
Well, kids can wear whatever they want! If you want yours to fit in with the local kids in Amman, grab yourself a “Hashimite Kingdom of Jordan” black polo shirt. You will see all the kids, and a lot of adults, wearing them on the streets of Amman. In the warm months, you will see my kids in Jordan with shorts and tshirts, but that has let to quite a few scraped knees.
In the winter months we use packable down jackets, toques and gloves!
Make sure you pack sunscreen.
Shoes to Wear in Jordan
Comfortable shoes are a must when visiting Jordan. But if you are like me and prefer sandals, comfortable sandals are just fine unless you are doing a lot of hiking. I have walked Petra in sandals just fine, but my feet were sore at the end of the day. Wearing running shoes or sturdy boots meant that after a second day of being on my feet all day, whey were not nearly as sore!
Do you need hiking boots in Jordan? In my opinion, no you dont, unless your trip is all trekking. Comfortable footwear is fine for most visitors, but if you are spending a week or two on the Jordan Trail, I would consider bringing them
My suitcase contains flip-flops for the pool and the beach, comfortable sandals that can go with jeans or dresses in the summer months and ankle boots for cooler months and a decent pair of running shoes for days in Petra and Wadi Mujib.
Overwhelmed with Planning a trip to Jordan?
Want to skip all of the planning and access my detailed Jordan Itinerary and Guide? I have been to Jordan several times and after being asked again and again for suggestions, not only did I build this website but I created an interactive PDF guide to help you plan the best trip to Jordan! It includes an interactive map, multiple itineraries for up to 10 days and as little as three days and plenty of practical information about renting a car and driving in Jordan. Get the guide by clicking the button below.
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.
Rental Cars are very popular in Jordan, get a quote on renting a car before you arrive.
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
Save on Air BNB – If you are planning on booking an Air BNB during your trip (or anywhere for that matter), use this link to save on your booking.
What 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 (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 lip balm (I like this one) and your lips will thank you! 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 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 traveler, 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.
Kleenex or Wipes are other things 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.
Motion Sickness Pills might be needed if you are prone to motion sickness and plan on traveling by bus or in the back of the car. There are many windy, hilly and bumpy roads in Jordan. Sea Bands might work for you if you are prone to motion sickness.
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.
