City brief · Amman
Tourist Scams in Amman & Petra: What to Watch For and Where
Jordan is famously safe and hospitable — the friction is commercial, not dangerous: Amman taxi meter games and, at Petra, the 'free' horse ride and persistent Bedouin upsells. Insist on the meter, agree prices, and it's a warm, easy trip.
2026-08-24
Problem zones at a glance
- Amman taxis Moderate Meter 'off' or 'broken' and inflated tourist fares; insist on the meter or use Careem/Uber, agree the price first.
- Petra — horses, carriages & donkeys Moderate The 'free' horse ride to the entrance that demands a big 'tip', and pushy carriage/donkey/camel upsells inside.
- Petra & site touts / 'guides' Moderate Unofficial 'guides', 'secret viewpoint' upsells, and children/vendors selling trinkets; agree prices, use licensed guides.
- Souvenir & souq shops Low Overpriced 'antiques', 'Dead Sea' products, and the tea-and-pressure sell; haggle, buy only what you want.
- Downtown Amman & tourist sites Low Standard awareness only — Jordan is very safe; mild souq haggling and the odd overcharge.
The short version
Jordan is famously safe and hospitable — the friction is commercial, not dangerous: Amman taxi meter games, and at Petra the “free” horse ride that expects a big tip plus persistent Bedouin upsells (carriages, donkeys, camels, “secret viewpoints,” souvenirs). Insist on the taxi meter or use apps, agree every price at Petra up front, and it’s a warm, easy, spectacular trip.
The scripts you’ll actually meet
- Amman taxi meter games. “Meter’s off/broken” and flat tourist fares. Insist on the meter or use Careem/Uber. The taxi rules →
- Petra’s “free” horse ride. Included in the ticket but pitched as free, then a big “tip” demanded — for a short, walkable stretch. Decline, or agree the tip first.
- Bedouin ride & viewpoint upsells. Carriages, donkeys, camels, and “secret viewpoint” offers with prices that balloon. Agree the full price and destination up front. The faux-guide play →
- Souvenir overcharging. “Antiques,” “Dead Sea” products, and the tea-and-pressure sell. Haggle; buy only what you want. How overcharging works →
Getting around
In Amman, use Careem or Uber, or insist Amman’s yellow taxis run the meter (take the next if a driver refuses). For the airport, use the official fixed-fare airport taxi or a pre-arranged transfer. To reach Petra, most visitors take the JETT bus or a private driver/transfer from Amman (about 3 hours). At Petra itself, walk (it’s the best way), consider an official licensed guide from the visitor centre, and treat every animal ride and “guide” offer as a negotiation to settle before you accept. Carry small dinars.
What it looks like
Jordan’s tells are gentle and all about price agreed too late: the taxi meter that’s suddenly “off,” the “free” Petra horse that wants a big tip, the donkey to the Monastery whose price triples at the top, the “secret viewpoint” guide. Jordanian hospitality is real and generous — but settle every fare, ride, and tip out loud before you accept, and there’s nothing left to spring.
Do this instead
Use Careem/Uber or insist on the Amman meter; take the official fixed-fare airport taxi; decline Petra’s “free” horse or agree the tip first; settle the full price and destination of any carriage/donkey/camel/guide before accepting; and haggle on souvenirs. That’s the whole Jordan risk list, around one of the world’s most breathtaking sites.
Warning signs, in general
- A taxi meter that’s “off” or “broken” is a tourist-fare setup — insist on it or use an app.
- Anything “free” at Petra (a horse, a viewpoint, a mint tea) is the opening of a tip or sales expectation — agree terms first.
- A ride price that sounds too cheap will balloon at the destination — pin the full price and endpoint before you get on.
If something happens
- Emergency: dial 911 (Jordan’s nationwide number); a tourist police presence operates at Petra and major sites.
- Overcharged ride or tip demand: pay what you agreed and no more; note the details; use apps/licensed guides thereafter.
- Pressured in a shop: leave; you owe nothing you didn’t agree to.
- Theft (rare): freeze cards and file a police report for insurance. The first-hour checklist →
Quick answers
Is Jordan (Amman and Petra) safe for tourists?
Yes — Jordan is one of the safest and most hospitable countries in the region, and violent crime against tourists is very rare. The friction is commercial rather than dangerous: taxi meter games in Amman, and at Petra the 'free' horse ride that expects a large tip plus persistent Bedouin upsells (carriages, donkeys, camels, 'secret viewpoints,' souvenirs). Insist on the taxi meter or use apps, agree every price at Petra up front, and enjoy an genuinely warm, welcoming trip. Normal awareness is enough.
How do taxis work in Amman, and how do I avoid overcharging?
Amman's yellow taxis are metered and required to use it, but drivers sometimes claim the meter is 'off/broken' or quote a flat tourist fare — politely insist on the meter, or take the next taxi. Better still, use ride apps (Careem and Uber both operate in Amman), which fix the fare and remove the argument. Agree any fixed price before you set off, carry small dinars, and for the airport use the official airport taxi (fixed fare by zone) or a pre-arranged transfer rather than a curb tout.
What's the 'free horse ride' scam at Petra?
Your Petra ticket technically includes a short horse ride on the first stretch from the entrance to near the Siq — but it's presented as 'free' while the handler then demands a large 'tip' (and the horse only covers a small, easily-walkable part anyway). You can simply decline the horse and walk. Inside Petra, you'll also be offered carriages through the Siq, and donkeys/camels/mules to the Monastery and viewpoints — all optional, all negotiable, and all prone to a low quoted price that balloons. If you want a ride, agree the full price and destination clearly first, and be firm about tips.
How do I handle guides and vendors at Petra?
For Petra, consider hiring an official licensed guide at the visitor centre (fixed rates) if you want the history — they're worth it and remove the unofficial-'guide' hassle. Ignore unsolicited 'guides' and 'I'll show you a secret viewpoint' offers unless you've agreed a price, and treat the many Bedouin stalls and children selling trinkets with a friendly but firm 'no thank you.' Buying from children encourages them to skip school, so don't. Haggle on any souvenir you do want, agree ride prices up front, and Petra is a breathtaking, manageable day.