How many beaches to visit: Two is the number I advise:
one Dead Sea shore and one Aqaba shore. They are different experiences, and a third adds a long drive without adding a new type of water. Spending a spare day at the Red Sea gives more than a repeat of the same salty float. With 4 to 5 days of beach time, you see both properly.
Which kind for which traveler: If money is tight, put
Aqaba first. Snorkeling over coral from a public or low-cost shore gives the most for your time, and gear rental is cheap. The Dead Sea costs more per hour because the best-kept shores are attached to resorts. A public stretch is cheaper but rougher, with little shade, basic showers and sharp salt crust on the sand. Mid-range travelers get the most from a
resort day pass at the Dead Sea, usually around US$25 …
read more 👉 How many beaches to visit: Two is the number I advise: one Dead Sea shore and one Aqaba shore. They are different experiences, and a third adds a long drive without adding a new type of water. Spending a spare day at the Red Sea gives more than a repeat of the same salty float. With 4 to 5 days of beach time, you see both properly.
Which kind for which traveler: If money is tight, put Aqaba first. Snorkeling over coral from a public or low-cost shore gives the most for your time, and gear rental is cheap. The Dead Sea costs more per hour because the best-kept shores are attached to resorts. A public stretch is cheaper but rougher, with little shade, basic showers and sharp salt crust on the sand. Mid-range travelers get the most from a resort day pass at the Dead Sea, usually around US$25 to 60, since it covers a clean entry, freshwater showers, pools and mud. Diving-focused travelers should prioritize the Red Sea and treat the Dead Sea as a short side trip.
What it costs: Budget travelers can manage on US$30 to 50 a day with a dorm bed, street food and local transport. Add US$5 to 15 for a public beach or snorkel gear, and US$25 to 60 for a resort day pass. A reef boat trip typically runs US$20 to 40, and a guided dive US$40 to 70 or more. The Amman to Aqaba bus costs roughly US$10 to 15, and taxis to the Dead Sea cost US$30 to 50 each way, so splitting one with other travelers saves money.
Safety and culture: The Dead Sea demands care. Do not dunk your head, shave beforehand, and keep cuts covered, because the brine burns. Rinse eyes immediately with fresh water. Float on your back, since the water is so dense that standing upright is awkward and swallowing it is dangerous. Limit your time to 20 minutes and drink water constantly, as heat and salt dehydrate fast.
At Aqaba, sun protection matters. Wear a rash guard and reef-safe sunscreen, and watch for sea urchins and sharp coral, since reef shoes help on pebbly entries. Do not touch or stand on coral. Jordan is conservative, so on public beaches wear modest swimwear or cover up with a T-shirt and shorts. Bikinis are normal inside resorts, but ask before taking photos of other people, particularly women and families. Public beaches get crowded on Fridays, and alcohol is not appropriate outside licensed venues.
v2.webp){kind=logo}
Best Backpacking.jpg)
Hi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.