Jordon: Some Interesting Facts

Public Holidays

Friday is the weekly day of rest, though many Christian shopkeepers close on Sunday instead. The national holidays are observed on the same day every year, while the Islamic religious ones follow the Islamic lunar calendar and so vary yearly.

Date 2005 Occasion
January 1 New Year's Day  
January 21 Eid Al Adha
Februaury 10 Islamic New Year
April 21 Prophet's Birthday
May 1 Labour Day
May 25 Independence Day
June 9 Accession of HM King Abdullah
June 10 Army Day
September 12 Ascension of Mohammed
November 14 Birthday of Late King Hussein
November 3 Eid Al Fitr*  s
December 25 Christmas (Christians only)
December 31 New Year's Eve

Weekend - Friday, Saturday

Weights and Measures

The Metric system is the standard that applies in Jordan.

Customs & Duties

You can buy duty free 200 cigarettes or 25 cigars or 200 g of tobacco; one bottle of wine or spirits; perfume for personal use only; gifts to the value of JD (Jordanian Dinar) 50.00 or USD 150.00.

Narcotics are banned and the punishment for carrying them is stiff. There are no restrictions on import or export of foreign currency, but it is advisable to declare it, because the export of foreign currency is limited to the amount declared on entry.

Electricity

Jordan’s electricity supply is 220 volts/50 cycles AC. Sockets are generally of the two-pronged European variety, while a variety of other sockets and plugs—especially the 13 amp square three-pinned plug—are in use. To be safe, bring a multi-purpose adaptor. American equipment require both an adaptor and a transformer. Most varieties of adaptors and transformers are readily available in electrical shops throughout Jordan. Electrical current in Jordan is reliable and uninterrupted.

Post & Communications

Public telephone facilities are not widely available in Jordan, but hotel staff and shopkeepers will allow you to use their phone on payment. Overseas calls, telexes and faxes can be received or sent from hotels, or at a cheaper rate from the private phone and fax offices in Amman. Rates for overseas calls are cheaper on Friday. Telegrams can be sent from the post office.

Post offices are open from 8 am to 6 pm Saturday to Thursday, but the central post office is also open on Friday. Mail to Europe takes 3 to 5 days, while it takes about two weeks for USA and Australia. Express mail and courier services are also available. Postage can be purchased in hotels and post offices.

Tipping

Most restaurants include a 10% service charge in their bill so tips aren’t required. It is customary to tip housekeeping personnel in hotels. Taxi drivers do not expect tips but you should fix your fare before you get in if the taxi is not metered.

English Language Media

Jordan has two English language newspapers: the Jordan Times (daily) and the Star (weekly). You can get many of the international newspapers and news magazines at the newsagents in Amman. The BBC World Service is available and Radio Jordan broadcasts are in Arabic and English