Floating in the Dead Sea, Jordan has always been on my travel bucket list, and I’m sure it’s on many other travelers’ radars as well. That’s why I put together this guide to help you enjoy this magical experience when in Jordan. 

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Why the Dead Sea, Jordan is worth the visit?

The Dead Sea is shared between Jordan and Palestine (yes, it’s called Palestine). If you’re wondering where it got its name from, it’s simply because no marine life can survive in there due to the water body’s salinity of 34%.

So, is it just the mud fun and the fact that you can never drown because of the Dead Sea’s hypersalinity? What really attracts people from all over the world to this site and why is it really bucket list-worthy? Let’s take a deep dive (metaphorically only), shall we? Here are a few interesting facts about the Dead Sea.

It’s the lowest point on Earth

The Dead Sea is located at around 430 meters below sea level, making it the lowest known point on Earth. This essentially means that a beach day spent there is far away from the harmful UV rays. 

It has wonderful healing properties

Visiting the Dead Sea can be therapeutic in so many ways. For starters, the very obvious reason is the salt that can be really good for your skin and can also treat various skin conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis. The mud there also has hydrating and firming properties as it helps with a lot of things from soothing itchiness and inflammation to enhancing skin elasticity and smoothing out wrinkles. 

It’s not just the salty water and mud though, the Dead Sea’s position as the lowest point on Earth means that the air there has a higher concentration of oxygen, bromine, and magnesium. So, it helps with relaxation and relieving tension. Not to mention that the air there is dry and allergen-free. 

It’s actually shrinking

Every year, the Dead Sea’s shores shrink a meter, which is an alarming rate. This is mainly due to the diversion of the headwaters coming from the Jordan River. It’s believed that the Dead Sea will vanish by the year 2050, while other scientists believe that it won’t dry up completely but will shrink drastically. So, if that’s happening and that soon, you might as well go visit before it’s too late, right?

The Best Time to Visit

Jordan, in general, is a year-round destination, but to enjoy perfectly balanced weather, no matter where your destinations are, spring and fall months are the best time to visit. Especially since you’ll be swimming, even if it’s a brief swim, but winter cold isn’t really the best idea, and neither is hot summer weather.

Where to Swim in the Dea Sea

The Public Beach

The cheapest way to access the Dead Sea in Jordan is by going to a public beach. Those are located south of the resorts and can be easily accessed from the highway. The most known public beach in the area is known as Amman Touristic Beach – entry costs around JOD 20. There are other access points or “not so official” public beaches nearby as well. 

Beach Resorts

If you’re looking for a cleaner and a more upscale experience, then you could pay a little extra and head to a beach resort – you can either spend the night or purchase a day pass. 

Where to Stay in the Dead Sea, Jordan

If you wish to spend the night for extra relaxation time, rather than going on a rushed day trip, there are several luxury hotels that you can book. Those include Movenpick Resort & Spa, Kempinski Hotel Ishtar Dead Sea, Hilton Dead Sea Resort & Spa, and Dead Sea Marriott Resort & Spa. If you’re looking for a more mid-range budget stay, then the hotel I’ve been to, Dead Sea Spa Hotel, seemed very nice.

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             Booking.com

How to Go

Take a Bus

The easiest option is to take a bus from Amman. JETT has a daily bus ride from Amman to the Dead Sea at 8:30 in the morning and another that goes back to the city at 5 PM, each costing JOD 10 only. And if you’re not spending the night and opting for a day trip, there’s a round-trip discounted ticket for JOD 15 only.

As part of JETT’s Tourism Program, there’s a ‘swim and lunch’ option when booking the round-trip ticket. As the name of the package suggests, the ticket would include transportation to and from Amman, lunch, and beach access from a hotel. The price of the ticket will depend on whether you opt for a 4-star or a 5-star hotel for the day use. If you choose Ramada Hotel, you will pay an extra JOD 35 and if you go for Crowne Plaza Hotel, you’ll pay JOD 45 plus the transportation fixed ticket.

Rent a Car

In case you want more flexibility or if you fancy a road trip, then you can rent a car instead. To learn more about renting a car in Jordan, make sure to check out my transportation guide here.

Hire a Driver

Another way to go to the Dead Sea, Jordan, and the way I personally did it, was by hiring a driver. My hostel organized a day trip for me and a couple of other guests, which allowed me to save money as a solo traveler by splitting the cost with others. They hired a driver for us for the whole day trip that included other sites and adventures aside from the Dead Sea experience. 

We paid JOD 65 to the driver for taking us to 4 destinations – this is JOD 22 per person as we were 3. Plus JOD 18 for the hotel day use where we also had pool access – we went to the Dead Sea Spa Hotel (our driver got us a discounted price for the day pass).

If you decide to go with this option, I highly recommend Ali, our driver. Ali was extremely professional and very knowledgeable; he was also fun to have around. This is his number: 0798912463.

Pro Tips for Your Dead Sea Experience

• Do not stay in the water for longer than 15 minutes. Otherwise, the salt will start irritating your skin.
• Do NOT shave right before your swim – it’ll sting BADLY. Make sure to shave 2 days before your trip maximum. 
• Try to avoid getting cuts or wounds before getting in the water. And if the unfortunate incident occurs, then make sure to cover any cuts with a waterproof band-aid.
• Do NOT dive or dip your head in the water, and avoid getting it in your eyes.
• Avoid wearing a white bathing suit, or a pricey one that you don’t want to ruin.
• Pack water shoes to avoid injuring your feet.
• Mud first, water next. Also, avoid putting mud on your face or above your eyes, to avoid getting salty water in your eyes while washing it off.
• This one goes without saying, but DON’T SPLASH.

So, is the Dead Sea, Jordan on your bucket list too? If yes, don’t forget to pin or save this blog post to help plan your trip. And don’t forget to come back and drop a comment below to tell me all about it after you visit.

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