⚡ Quick Safety Tips
- Never accept a 'free' camel or donkey ride inside Petra — the handler will block your path and demand $50+ when you try to dismount
- Hire guides only through the official Petra Visitor Centre — unlicensed guides who approach at the entrance will overcharge and pressure for tips
- Bargain aggressively for souvenirs inside Petra — first-quoted prices are typically 3-5x the fair price for tourists
- Stick to official marked trails — locals who lead you to 'secret viewpoints' will demand payment for access to what is often public land
The 6 Scams
A friendly local offers you a free camel or donkey ride to the top of a viewpoint, insisting it costs nothing. You enjoy the ride and the views, but when you try to dismount, the handler demands a hefty payment — sometimes $50 or more — and blocks your path until you pay. Refusing causes a scene, and tourists often feel trapped and unsafe. The word 'free' was never meant honestly.
Red Flags
- Anyone offering a 'free' or 'gift' ride unprompted
- No price discussed before mounting the animal
- Handler insists you try the animal 'just for a photo'
How to Avoid
- Never accept any ride without agreeing on a price first, in writing if possible
- Politely but firmly decline all unsolicited 'free' offers
- Walk the trails yourself — the distances are very manageable
You've just arrived at Petra when a friendly local approaches and offers to show you hidden spots most tourists miss. He seems knowledgeable and walks with you for an hour, pointing out carvings and telling stories. At the end he asks for $80 for the 'guide fee' — far above the official rate. There was no agreement made upfront, and he now claims it's standard.
Red Flags
- Guide approaches you near the entrance without an official badge
- No price discussed before the tour begins
- Pressure to 'just come look' before any commitment is made
How to Avoid
- Only hire guides who are officially licensed and wear visible ID
- Book tours through your hotel or the official Petra visitor center
- Agree on the exact price and duration before starting
A charming Bedouin man invites you for tea in his cave dwelling, becoming increasingly flirtatious and attentive over your visit. Over days he builds what feels like a genuine connection, talking about love and a future together. Eventually he asks for money — for a visa, a sick relative, or a business venture. Women have lost thousands of dollars and even moved to Jordan before realizing the relationship was a practiced performance.
Red Flags
- Very fast emotional intimacy from a local man toward solo female travelers
- Requests for money, gifts, or help with visa applications
- Elaborate personal stories involving tragedy or hardship
How to Avoid
- Be cautious of fast-moving romantic interest from vendors inside Petra
- Never send money to someone you met recently while traveling
- Search Facebook groups like 'Stop the Petra Bedouin Women Scammers' for documented cases
You arrange a taxi from your hotel for a multi-day trip to Petra, and the driver quotes a reasonable price. Along the way he changes the terms — the hotel he promised isn't available so he takes you to his 'cousin's' guesthouse at triple the price, and he refuses to drive on until you pay for accommodation you never agreed to. Some drivers hold tourists' luggage hostage until they comply.
Red Flags
- Driver insists on booking your accommodation as part of the deal
- Price changes mid-journey with various excuses
- Driver deviates from the agreed route
How to Avoid
- Book transport through your hotel or a verified app like Careem
- Never let a driver book accommodation for you
- Use JETT bus for Amman-to-Petra to avoid taxi scams entirely
You spot a beautiful hand-painted pottery piece inside Petra and ask the vendor how much it costs. He looks you up and down and quotes a price five times what it's worth, watching to see if you flinch. Everything is negotiable and tourists are always quoted a 'tourist price' first. Without knowing local rates, you can easily overpay massively.
Red Flags
- No prices displayed on any items
- Vendor asks where you're from before quoting a price
- Price drops dramatically the moment you walk away
How to Avoid
- Always bargain — starting at 30-40% of the first quoted price is normal
- Check prices at multiple stalls before committing
- Learn a few phrases in Arabic — vendors respect the effort and quote more fairly
You're told by a local that there's an incredible secret viewpoint just off the main trail, and he guides you there enthusiastically. Once at the top, he or an associate blocks the viewpoint and demands payment for 'access' to this private land. The viewpoint may or may not be worth it, but the fee was never disclosed.
Red Flags
- Anyone directing you off the main marked trails
- No official signage at the entrance to the viewpoint
- Person lingers after showing you the spot
How to Avoid
- Stick to official Petra trails marked on the site map
- Download offline maps of the archaeological site before entering
- Agree on any fee before following someone off the beaten path
🆘 What to Do If You Get Scammed
📋 File a Police Report
Go to the nearest Public Security Directorate (PSD) station. Call 911. Get an official crime report — you'll need this for insurance claims. You can also report online at psd.gov.jo.
💳 Cancel Your Cards
Call your bank immediately. Most have 24/7 numbers on the back of the card (keep a photo saved separately). Block any suspicious transactions before the thieves use your details.
🛂 Lost Passport?
Contact your nearest embassy or consulate. The US Embassy in Amman is at Al-Umayyaween Street, Abdoun, Amman. For emergencies: +962 6-590-6000.
📱 Track Your Device
If your phone was stolen, use Find My (iPhone) or Find My Device (Android) from another device. Don't confront thieves yourself — share the location with police instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
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