Aqaba

29° 31' 9.29" N 34° 59' 40.05" E [29.5192, 34.9945] (KML)

Aqaba [M] is Jordan's window on the Red Sea [S]. Historically the same city as Eilat on the Israeli [S] side of the border, plans for a shared international airport and other forms of cooperation have cooled down in the past few years during a period of political tension. Aqaba has seen a lot of development in the last few years. This has improved the infrastructure and facilities. Be prepared for road maps to be incorrect/out of date.

Ferries run regularly from Aqaba [M] across to Nuweiba on Egypt's Sinai [S] peninsula, bypassing Israel and the sometimes complicated border arrangements. Generally there is no visa fee for entering Jordan through Aqaba since it is a part of the free trade zone. The line to Nuweiba is operated by ABMaritime, see their website for the 'official' timetable and current prices.

There are two ferries that leave Aqaba [M] for Nuweiba, Egypt. The first is the slow ferry (US$50, about 3 hours). Departure is generally in the evening (anywhere from 5pm to midnight). Expect delays. There is a company office in Aqaba town center that sells the ticket. Immigration procedures for Eqypt are initiated on the boat and completed by paying the US$15 visa fee on arrival at Nuweiba (and then finding the immigration counter to get your passport back). If at all possible, avoid putting your bags in the "cages" in the hold: try to take them with you. This way you can avoid the violent free-for-all when you arrive and try to collect your bags.

The second ferry is the fast catamaran (US$70, about 1 hour). Departure is generally at midday except on Saturday when it does not run.

From Nuweiba, Egypt, as of January 2010, the slow ferry costs US$60 + US$10 (or 50 EGP) departure tax. A company office is located a couple hundred meters to the right before the entrance to the port. Immigration procedures for Jordan are initiated on the boat and completed on arrival at Aqaba [M] (free for some nationalities). The fast ferry costs US$70 + US$10 departure tax.

The Desert Highway terminates in Aqaba [M]. There are frequent buses to Amman [M] and other points along the highway. Fare is currently 7 JD each way.

Amman [M] to Aqaba [M] is about 350km using the Desert Highway. It will take about 4 hours to travel this distance at a reasonable speed. Do remember that service/fuel stops are not very frequent on this road.

The Israeli [S] border at Arava (for Eilat) is only a short hop away. The Saudi Arabian [S] checkpoint is also visible on a clear day, but visitors without a visa can only look.

Royal Jordanian operates 2 daily flights between Amman [M] and Aqaba [M], one in the morning and one in the evening. Duration of the flight is approximately 1 hour and costs 20 JD + tax one-way (price updated 14 May 2008).

The King Hussein International Airport is located north of Aqaba [M], about a 20-minute drive.

Minibus rental with driver from Petra [M] costs 45 JD and it takes about 2 hours to get from Petra to Aqaba [M].

Taxis are easily available in the city. A ride within town should cost no more than 2 JD. A ride outside town (to a beach near by or to any border crossings) costs around 5 JD. However, if your hotel calls you a taxi, you may end up paying double for it as they receive a kickback (this is especially true if you are staying on the South Beach).

While taxis are yellow all around Jordan, early 2008 Aqaba [M] taxis have been painted green and blue: the logo colours of Aqaba Special Economic Zone (ASEZ).

When negotiating the price of a taxi, make sure to determine whether the final cost is the total or "per-person" price, as you may otherwise receive a surprise at the end of the ride.

Note that at the border with Israel, the Jordanian guards will try lead you to taxis they are "friendly" with as soon as you get out. These taxis will try rip you off - ignore them, or negotiate for the fair price.

Local minibuses connect residential areas with downtown. The fare is 17 Piasters (170 Fils or 0.17 JD) regardless of the length of the journey. Passengers can get on and off at any point of the route. The central bus station is located in front of the Police station.

• Aqaba [M] Fort. Originally dating to the 14'th century, although the present structure was built by the Mamluke sultan Qansawh el-Ghawri (1501-1516) and has been revised many times since then.  

• Ayla, (next to the Mövenpick resort). The old city that was established when Islam came to the area in 622 AD. free.  

• The oldest purpose-built Christian church in history, (across the street from the JETT bus station, which is just west of the Mövenpick hotel.). A posted sign gives a little bit of information on the church.  

• International Arab Divers Village, South Beach, ☎ +962 (3) 203 1808 (info@aqaba-divevillage.com, fax: +962 (3) 203 0560), [2]. A professional operator with fairly new equipment and decent prices. Introductory dives and refresher dives are available. 45 JD for introductory dives, 25 JD for refresher dives.  

One of the finest, if not the finest restaurant in town is The Royal Yacht Club. It is situated next to the water in an upscale neighbourhood. They serve exquisite fare (mostly seafood fresh from the sea) for prices that are reasonable by Western standards. Service is fast and courteous.

In the center of the city one can find very good hummus, Falafel and Showarma (lamb meat in pita bread) places in many local restaurants. Prices starts form 1.5 JD for a Showarma dish.

You can ask for fresh fruit juices in most restaurants, and they are a treat! Many also serve the lemon juice with fresh mint in it, and it is very delicious.

• Dune Village, ☎ 00962 (0) 78 8378 914. Is located 12 km east of Aqaba's center, and offers singles\double\shared rooms with breakfast included. The places also offers scuba diving equipment and guided dives. The place organizes transportation for guests to/from airport and border crossings. 7.5-17 JD PP.  

• Dweik Hotel. Small rooms, but bathrooms are in good condition. Some rooms have TV, with access to satellite channels, but you do have to get the front desk to tune the satellite for you. 20 JD.  

• Jordan Flower Hotel. 10 JD singles/12 JD doubles/14 JD doubles with bath/16 JD triples.  

• Nairoukh Hotel. 10 JD singles/15 JD doubles/20 JD triples.  

• Radisson Blu Tala Bay, South Beach (Head South from Aqaba [M]), ☎ +962 (3) 209 0777, [3]. New luxury hotel south of Aqaba. Has very nice swimming pools, restaurants and beach. All the services to be expected at a 4/5* hotel.  

Most destinations that are not north of Amman [M] can be reached on a day trip. You can set up your own flexible day trips by hiring a taxi for the day. Make sure when you set up the trip that you have agreed on the destinations to be included in the trip (or you may need to discuss your price while on the road and do not have other options that your current driver).

• Kerak [S] [M] — site of a once-mighty Crusader castle
• Madaba [M] — known for its mosaic map of Jerusalem
• Petra [M] — Jordan's top attraction, an ancient city carved out of sandstone and one of the new 7 Wonders.
• Wadi Rum [M] — barren, isolated and beautiful, granite cliffs contrasting with desert sand
• Dead Sea [M] — The lowest point on earth and the most saline sea
• Dana Nature Reserve [S] — Stay in a village little changed since the 15th century, enjoy unforgettable hiking in an offshoot of the Great Rift.

Aqaba is relatively close to both Wadi Rum [M] and Petra [M]. Public buses go to both. Alternatively, there are a lot of tour companies around town who would happily arrange excursions, in particular to Wadi Rum. Petra will take 2.5 hours by car.

Text content was last edited at 07:11, on 26 May 2010 by Wikitravel user Burmesedays. Based on work by Claus Hansen, Stefan Ertmann, Dave Stanley, Paul Kilfoil and Matt Kane, Wikitravel user(s) Globe-trotter, Upstream and Tatatabot, Anonymous user(s) of Wikitravel and others. A list of contributors is available at the original article on Wikitravel. This text content is available under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0.