OtherA bright seaside city developed as a duty-free zone, with dive shops and hotels lining the coast. The old town market is lively with spice and confectionery shops, and the borders of Israel, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia are close by.

Aqaba (Petra)

Aqaba (Petra) · Jordan · 29.53, 35.01

Jordan's only seaport, Aqaba is a resort city at the southern end of the Gulf of Aqaba on the Red Sea and a gateway to the World Heritage site of Petra and Wadi Rum Desert.

Port highlights

A port city of about 150,000

Population

An extremely dry desert climate. Summers are extremely hot, while winter days are warm. Rainfall is limited to a small amount mainly in winter.

Climate

Arabic (English is commonly understood at tourist attractions)

Language

Jordanian dinar (JOD). US dollars are also accepted in some places, but exchanging money is the safest option.

Currency

October to April. November to March is especially comfortable, as it avoids the extreme heat.

Best time to visit

Local food

Sayadieh (Red Sea fish with rice), mansaf (lamb cooked in yogurt), assorted mezze, strong Arabic coffee.

Sights

World Heritage Petra ruins (about 2 hours by car)Wadi Rum desert, known as the Valley of the MoonDiving and snorkeling on Red Sea coral reefsAqaba Archaeological Museum and the Ayla ruinsOld town souk and the Corniche with its giant flag

Monthly average high / low temperatures

21°

10°Jan

23°

12°Feb

27°

15°Mar

32°

19°Apr

36°

23°May

40°

25°Jun

41°

27°Jul

41°

28°Aug

38°

26°Sep

34°

22°Oct

28°

17°Nov

23°

12°Dec

Unit: °C · Calculated from NOAA GHCN-Daily station observations · Period: 1991–2020 · Station: ELAT · about 5.9 km from port · Last checked: Oct 3, 2026 · A guide for choosing your travel month.

Local prices for travelers

More expensive than Tokyo

Compared with Tokyo, Japan (median of items)127 (Tokyo = 100)

Compared with Tokyo, meals and a Big Mac cost about the same; water, coffee and beer are somewhat more expensive.

JOD 0.600

Water 500 ml

JOD 3.000

Coffee

JOD 3.375

Inexpensive meal

JOD 6.000

Local beer

JOD 2.500

Big Mac

Prices in Aqaba. · Amounts in the recorded local currency. No currency conversion applied. · Last checked: Oct 2026 (partly estimated) · Sources: Shop and menu prices · The Economist, Big Mac Index (CC BY 4.0)