What actually happens to travelers here.
Major cities typically treat water, but rural areas and older infrastructure can be unreliable. Bottled water is a cheap insurance policy.
The system.
System: Universal (Ministry of Health for residents). Tourists can access public and private healthcare. Private hospitals in Amman are excellent โ Jordan is a major medical tourism destination. No health coverage for tourists.
Quality: โ โ โ โ โ Very Good
Jordan has excellent private hospitals, particularly in Amman โ the King Hussein Cancer Center is internationally renowned. Public hospitals are available but private facilities offer better care and more English. Medical tourism is a major industry. Healthcare is significantly cheaper than Western countries.
Jordan is the Middle East's leading medical tourism destination โ particularly for cancer treatment (King Hussein Cancer Center), cardiac surgery, and cosmetic procedures. Costs are 30-60% lower than Western countries while quality is excellent.
Where to actually go.
Major military hospital. Excellent care.
Private hospital. English widely spoken.
Finding what you need.
Access: Easy
Hours: Pharmacies are widely available throughout Jordan, especially in Amman. Most open 9am-9pm daily. Some 24-hour pharmacies in Amman. Look for 'ุตูุฏููุฉ' (pharmacy) signs. Pharmacy chains like Al-Manara are reliable.
Prescription rules: Prescription requirements vary. For controlled substances, a Jordanian prescription may be needed or your foreign prescription may be accepted with documentation. Carry your prescription and doctor's letter as backup.
Many common OTC medications are available. Some prescription medications in Western countries may be available OTC in Jordan. Generic medications are common and affordable. Pharmacists in Amman often speak English. Jordanian pharmacies are well-stocked.
Available over the counter
- ibuprofen
- paracetamol
- cold and flu remedies
- antihistamines
- antacids
- anti-diarrheals
- sun protection (essential โ Jordan is very sunny)
- first aid supplies
Useful pharmacy phrases
- ุจุฏู ุฏูุง ููุตุฏุงุน
- ุจุฏู ุฏูุชูุฑ
Common OTC medications by local brand
- paracetamol/acetaminophen โ Panadol
Panadol is the dominant brand throughout the Arab world. - ibuprofen โ Brufen or Advil
Both available; Brufen is more common locally. - loperamide (anti-diarrheal) โ Imodium
Available OTC at most pharmacies.
What you can't bring in.
Carry a doctor's letter in English listing all medications with generic names. Keep medications in original packaging. For controlled substances, carry the original prescription. Declare all medications at customs.
Deep-dive guides for this country's restrictions: Adderall ยท Codeine ยท CBD ยท Tramadol ยท Xanax
Controlled. Requires prescription or documentation. Carry your foreign prescription and doctor's letter in English. Quantities for personal use are permitted with documentation.
Controlled. Requires prescription. Bring your documentation.
Controlled opioid. Requires prescription. Bring your documentation.
Controlled. Requires documentation and possibly special permission. Contact the Jordanian Food and Drug Administration or your embassy before traveling.
Cannabis is illegal in Jordan. Do not bring any cannabis products. CBD products with no THC may be legal but are in a gray area โ avoid bringing them.
If something breaks.
Availability: Good dental care at affordable prices. Jordan is a medical tourism destination.
Cost range: JOD 15-40 ($20-55) for consultation; JOD 30-80 ($40-110) for fillings
Amman has modern dental clinics. Many dentists speak English.
What you actually need.
๐ก๏ธ Recommended
Average cost: $30-50/week
Jordan is affordable for healthcare โ private hospital consultations cost 20-50 JOD ($28-70 USD). The King Hussein Cancer Center is world-class. Travel insurance with medical evacuation coverage is still recommended, especially for adventure activities (Wadi Rum, Petra hiking) where injuries can be serious.
Filing a claim
Jordanian hospitals provide documentation in English and Arabic. Keep all receipts. Private hospitals may require upfront payment.
What it costs out of pocket.
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Doctor visit (private) | $10-30 |
| ER visit | $40-150 |
| Overnight hospital stay | $60-250 |
| Ambulance | $20-80 |
Estimated typical out-of-pocket costs at private or international facilities. Public-system rates can be much lower (or free for residents). Actual costs vary by city, facility, and exchange rate.
When local won't cut it.
Primary destination: Dubai
Secondary destination: Istanbul or Athens
Typical cost band: $30,000-90,000
Common providers: Global Rescue, MedJet, International SOS
Local hospitals handle the vast majority of cases โ air evacuation is rarely needed for tourists. If a condition exceeds local capacity: Dubai is the primary medical hub for the broader Middle East and North Africa.
What to get done before you fly.
Recommended
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Typhoid
- MMR
- Tetanus
No mandatory vaccinations for most travelers. Ensure routine vaccinations are current. Hepatitis A and Typhoid are recommended due to food preparation differences.
The Bali belly prevention guide.
Tap water: Use caution โ Tap water is technically available but not reliably safe to drink. Drink bottled water โ it's widely available and inexpensive. In Aqaba, seawater is safe for swimming but don't drink tap-equivalent water.
Food safety
Jordanian food is generally safe. Mansaf (lamb in yogurt sauce) and mezze are safe at reputable restaurants. Avoid raw salads in cheaper establishments. Amman's restaurants maintain good hygiene standards. Be cautious with food from street vendors.
In crisis abroad.
English-speaking therapists: Available in Amman.
Mental health services limited but growing. English-speaking therapists in Amman.
International crisis support: findahelpline.com โ crisis lines in 130+ countries.
Getting around with mobility needs.
Accessibility is limited. Amman is hilly with uneven sidewalks. Petra is extremely challenging for wheelchair users.
Hospital accessibility: Major hospitals are accessible.
Accessible transport: Limited public transport. Taxis are the main option.
Petra's main trail has some wheelchair access with assistance but the site is mostly inaccessible for wheelchair users. Wadi Rum desert camps vary in accessibility.
Entry rules + local status.
Entry requirements: No COVID requirements.
Mask policy: No mandates.
Testing availability: Available at hospitals and clinics.
Jordan removed all COVID restrictions.
Jordan travel health, answered.
What we checked.
- US Department of State โ travel advisory for this country
- CDC Travelers' Health
- Jordan Ministry of Health
- Jordan Food and Drug Administration
- US Embassy Amman