What is the Best Time to Visit Jordan?

Did you know that Jordan has three climatic zones and four seasons? This is important information if you are planning a visit and wonder about the best time to visit Jordan. Let’s look at the three climatic zones first, discuss the different seasons, and then consider the best time to visit Jordan based on your itinerary.

The Climatic Zones

Glancing at a map of Jordan can be misleading. You may look at it and think one word – desert. With borders along Syria, Israel, Saudi Arabia and Iraq, it is easy enough to misjudge the landscape. The three climatic zones in Jordan include:

• Jordan Valley – Runs along the western side of Jordan (along the Dead Sea) and to the Red Sea. Aqaba, is the city at the outlet and is the country’s only outlet to the sea.
• Mountain Heights Plateau – These separate the Jordan Valley from the eastern desert and runs most of the length of the western region, too. It is home to Karak Castle, Amman (the capital city), Irbid as well as Jerash and Petra. Lots of rainfall here makes it a rich landscape, and it is home to many “wadis” that flow to the Jordan River. The northern region of the mountains is the most “Mediterranean” in climate.
• The Jordanian Desert – Most of Jordan is desert and the climate varies far more widely than many expect. Summer temperatures can be intolerable, but most nights are also quite cold and difficult. There are oases here, however, as well as wildlife reserves and the famous Rum Desert and Wadi Rum.

You will want to pay attention to the best time to visit Jordan based on the specific areas you hope to explore. While it is fair and accurate to say that the western region is somewhat Mediterranean in its climate (cooler and wetter winters and hotter dryer summers), the country is roughly 80% arid desert. The Mountain Heights Plateau, of course, is radically different and where the bulk of the country’s cities are found.

When is the Best Time to Visit Jordan Based on Weather?

As one expert has said, “The same January day could have you throwing snowballs in Ajloun or topping up your tan on the Red Sea beaches,” so you’ll want to give some thought to your itinerary. Generally, most agree that March through May (the traditional spring season) is one of the best times to visit Jordan for the predictable temperatures and conditions.

There will also be wildflowers in most of the climates and humidity will keep everything comfortable. However, it is also a time of year when the khamseen (Hahm-seen) winds arrive. These are hot desert winds that last for a few days but which will boost temperatures even as they darken the sky with sand and grit. Thus, a spring visit to the eastern desert area needs to coincide with the time before the khamseen is due.

Summer is not always the best time to visit Jordan as it is quite hot and many avoid visits to the Dead Sea and Aqaba – or most of the Jordan Valley at those time. Generally, if you intend to visit from June through September, it is time to be in the mountains, or live like a local and use noon to 3 or 4 PM each day as a time to nap and stay coolly indoors.

The autumn may also be quite hot, but (just as the spring is one of the best times to visit Jordan) the early October through mid-November period may also coincide with the arrival of the first rains, which brings about a second season of wildflowers in many areas as well as a more hospitable climate. There are always risks of flash floods with heavy rains, but Jordanian officials are excellent at offering warnings of which wadis and low-land areas to avoid.

Winter is a great time for the traditional “hot spots” like the deserts and Jordan Valley. The heights can actually be too cold in December through February, with Amman seeing periodic snow and bitingly cold winds. There are also lots of rain showers in the heights, and even Petra becomes a relative ghost town because of the short days and brutally cold winter evening temperatures. This is a great time to see the glories of Wadi Rum or dip your toes in the waters of the Red Sea at Aqaba.

A Summary of the Best Time to Visit Jordan

So, if you are still a bit unclear as to the best time to visit Jordan, let’s summarize what we have discovered by considering typical activities and itineraries:

• Flower gazers, hikers and those eager to visit the widest array of regions will want to do a Spring visit in March when the mountains, valleys and other regions are comfortable and flowers in abundance with the rains
• Divers, bird watchers and hikers heading to the Red Sea and Aqaba will want to visit from September through November when the water is warm and weather is at its best
• Amman is a great destination in the heat of summer thanks to its height, but is not an ideal spot during the winter months as snow is possible and temperatures quite chilly.
• The desert areas in the east are at their best in the spring and autumn seasons when temperatures are more moderate and even periodic rains are possible.

Just like many other areas, winter may be a very quiet time, but the peak of summer can be too. If you are not someone averse to stifling heat, you may find that September or June may allow you to visit typically busy spots like Wadi Rum and Petra without a lot of fellow travelers.

Is there an authentically “best” time to see Jordan? No, it is great at any time as long as you know where to go for the best weather. Need help planning the best Jordan vacation possible? The team at Egypt Tours Plus can offer you a custom, private or group tour of Jordan or of Egypt and Jordan combined at the best time of year for your travel goals.