Business contacts

Mobile phones Jordan uses the GSM system and has two mobile phone companies, Fastlink and Mobilecom (a third operator Umniah starts offering services this year). Both existing companies offer a range of pre-paid cards, which are available from literally thousands of outlets, ranging from small grocery stores to specialist mobile dealers throughout the city. Mobile phone rental isn’t common, but it’s worth checking with your hotel.
Office rental This is possible at Zara Expo, normally for a minimum of one month, but negotiable. Furnished office with telephone points, shared copier and kitchenette (PCs not included) are available, as are meeting rooms.
Contact Khaldoun Al Bakri (Tel: 465 1234 ext 6962).
Secretarial services are available at most major hotels.

Local press

Jordan has one English language daily newspaper, the Jordan Times and one weekly, The Star, which also has French and Russian supplements each week. It also has a number of monthly English language magazines including the general interest JO, Living Well, Living Well Home and Jordan Business Monthly.
Jordan Today is a monthly give-away with useful information about events, places to see etc, and is usually available in hotels.

Internet

Books@Cafe was the pioneering internet café in Jordan and still leads the field with a restaurant, bookshop and weekly film screenings as well as internet access. However, it is now far from the only option and Amman, as well as the rest of Jordan, has thousands of internet cafés, mostly pretty basic but very cheap. For something smarter, try the Jordan InterContinental Hotel where a small internet café functions as a supplement to the hotel’s business centre. Wi-fi is available at Queen Alia International Airport and a growing number of hotels in Amman.

Money

The Jordanian dinar (JD) is pegged to the dollar at a rate of JD1=$0.709. The dinar is divided into 1,000 fils, but the term fils is rarely used and Jordanians generally work in piastres, which are 100 to the dinar. JD1 is about 74p. All major credit cards are accepted and Jordan has a growing number of automated cash dispensers. Serious bargaining is usually confined to shops selling souvenir items, but feel free to ask for discounts on most purchases— just remember that Jordanians go in for genteel bargaining, not shouting matches.

Tipping etiquette

Jordan has a hefty 16% GST (goods and service tax) and three-, four- and five-star hotels and restaurants also add a 10% service charge. A tip for good service is appreciated, but don’t feel obliged if the service has been indifferent. Porters at the airport should be given 500 fils to JD1 (38p to 75p), depending on how much luggage you have, but they will push for more if you allow them to. Taxi drivers do not expect tips but will be happy if you round up the fare to the nearest half or one dinar. A small tip is appropriate, but not absolutely necessary for hotel staff who provide particular services, such as the bell boy or room-service waiter.

Visa/vaccination

No vaccinations are required. Most visitors to Jordan can obtain a visa on arrival at a cost of £8, but check with your local Jordanian embassy to be sure. The visa fee is payable in dinars and there is an exchange office inside the arrivals area.

Public holidays

Islamic holidays are based on sightings of the moon, so dates vary. Holidays for 2005 are:
1st January — New Year’s Day
21st January — Eid al-Adha
10th February — Islamic New Year
21st April 2006 — Prophet’s Birthday
1st May — Labour Day
25th May — Independence Day
9th June — Accession of King Abdullah 11
10th June — Army Day
12th September — Isra wa al-Miraj (Prophet’s Night Journey)
4th-6th November — Eid al-Fitr (end of Ramadan)
25th December — Christmas Day

Weather and climate

Spring and autumn are the ideal times to visit Jordan, with temperatures mainly in the low 20Cs, although spring can deliver some surprises in the form of rain and chilly days. Summer temperatures generally hover around the low 30Cs but two- to three-day heat waves when the temperature can go to 40C occur throughout summer. Summer evenings are often pleasantly cool and it’s necessary to pack a jacket if you’re planning any outdoor activities. Daytime temperatures in winter range from 7-12C and Amman and other hilly areas generally have some snow falls during the winter, so a good warm coat, sturdy shoes, scarf and gloves are advisable.

Suggested reading

A History of Jordan by Philip Robbins. Robbins is an Oxford University lecturer with a long experience of Jordan.
Emerging Jordan 2005, Oxford Business Group. An annual guide to all sectors of the Jordanian economy with useful chapters on history and politics as well.