Jordan

Touching down at Queen Alia International Airport (AMM), your Jordanian adventure begins with a blend of ancient history and modern convenience. To avoid the stress of hunting for local SIM cards upon arrival, activate your Hello eSIM before you land. This ensures you have immediate access to maps and ride-sharing apps like Uber or Careem, which are essential for navigating Amman’s hilly terrain. For the journey into the city, the yellow airport taxis offer a fixed rate of approximately JOD 22 ($31), but the Sariyah airport bus is a fantastic budget-friendly alternative at just JOD 3.30 ($4.65), running every 30 to 60 minutes. As you settle into your first neighborhood, use the trip planning feature in the Hello app to map out your route from the Citadel to the Roman Theatre. While Jordan is incredibly safe, having a reliable data connection via your Hello eSIM allows you to check real-time bus schedules and navigate the winding stairs of Jabal Amman with confidence. Remember that many smaller shops and cafes are cash-heavy, so keep some smaller denominations of Jordanian Dinars handy for those first few cups of sage-infused tea.

The 'Rose-Red City' of Petra and the lunar landscapes of Wadi Rum are the crown jewels of any itinerary. To save significantly, purchase the Jordan Pass (starting at JOD 70 or $99) before you arrive; it waives your visa entry fee and includes access to over 40 sites. When exploring Petra, start your day at 6:00 AM to beat the crowds at the Treasury. A guided mule ride or a local guide can cost between JOD 15 and JOD 30 ($21–$42), so use the expense splitting feature in the Hello app to easily divide these costs with your travel companions. Transitioning to Wadi Rum, a 4x4 desert tour is a non-negotiable experience. A full-day excursion typically costs around JOD 60 ($85) per vehicle. Because desert camps often lack Wi-Fi, your Hello eSIM provides a vital link to the outside world, though you'll likely find yourself too mesmerized by the starlit sky to check your phone. Use the budget tracking tool to keep an eye on your spending in local currency, ensuring you have enough left for a traditional 'Zarb' dinner—a Bedouin barbecue cooked in an underground oven.

Jordanian culture is synonymous with hospitality, and nowhere is this more evident than at the dinner table. The national dish, Mansaf—lamb cooked in a sauce of fermented dried yogurt (jameed) and served over rice—is a must-try. A generous portion at a local restaurant like Al Quds in Amman will cost roughly JOD 8 to JOD 12 ($11–$17). For a quicker bite, head to the legendary Hashem Restaurant for falafel and hummus, where a feast for two rarely exceeds JOD 5 ($7). When dining out with friends, the expense splitting feature in the Hello app is incredibly helpful for managing group bills, especially when trying to navigate the local etiquette of 'Karam' (generosity). While exploring the vibrant souks of Downtown Amman, use budget tracking to manage your purchases of spices, mosaics, or Dead Sea mud products. Tipping, or 'baksheesh,' is appreciated but not mandatory; rounding up the bill or adding 10% in sit-down restaurants is standard practice. Whether you are sipping coffee flavored with cardamom or sharing a mezze platter, these small interactions are what make Jordan truly unforgettable.