Safety in Syria and Jordan?

Question

I've always been interested in these 2 countries, and have been considering visiting as part of a tour. I will be 18 at time of tour (17 now), I'm just interested to know how safe these countries are for tourists? I was a bit concerned as to whether my dress would cause any problems, I wear tight jeans, and fairly bright tightish t shirts, etc, I basically dress scene-ish. I've visited Marrakesh alone and had no problem at all dressing this way apart from the odd glance, no worse than at home in the UK really. Should things be any different in Syria or Jordan? Obviously, staying safe is a lot more than just dress, but I feel I take all the standard safety precautions, and have never had any problem anywhere I've traveled alone, or part of a group (not that that's a huge amount of places, as of yet).Other question is, this trip would be a signficant amount cheaper to organise independantly. Would it be safe/pratical for a fairly confident 18 year old male to visit these countries alone?

Answer 1

Hey Bro, well I'm an American living in Jordan right now and I'm 17! Hah weird right? Anyway, people just tend to stare at you, when I first came here, I would get weird stares, my sisters and I, and my other brother, my parents are MiddleEastern, but my Mom isn't full, so we look like we are, but people know when we talk, we have accents, lol so it's weird.. You would probably get a lot of attention from the people, because you look like a foreigner... But people here do wear tight jeans, like skin tight. So I don't think you'd have a problem, and they were tight shirts, like yellow tight shirts, but not like bright pink shirts... So you might just get a little bit of a stare, but people will definately try to rip you off. I have no clue about Syria, a couple of my friends went their, but they went on Canadians passports, and not on their American Passports. I have no idea on the relations with Syria and the UK, but they did charge my friends 150.00 for a visa, but it lasted 6 months. Most places speak English, especially the places with most Tourist Attraction, like Petra, and Dead Sea. Petra charges foreigners more money to get into, rather than Jordanian citizens. I think it'd be safe for you to come alone, if you wanted to look around yourself, but people would know you were a tourists, because most British people usually wear their backpacks on their backs. I think you'd feel a little better coming with a Tour Group, because Taxi drivers would rip you off, and little party stores. But it's all about how you feel. Someplaces get really ghetto, and everytime I have to go into the ghetto, I get really uncomfortable, like Jabal Al Hussein. It'd probably be in your best interest if it's your first time here to go with a Tour Group, unless you intend to stay longer. They've also got that big Grocery store here, called Carrefour, and Safeway. They got something called C-Town, and Cozmo too! And these stores couldn't rip you off. But hey, if you need any help let me know. Add me to your contacts list on here, if you need more help, or any questions?

Answer 2

Jordan is safer then going to the south bronx. As for Syria there has been some Issues between Sunni and Shiia. The Majority in Jordan are Sunni. I live in Jordan and have never seen any crimes. I have only seen one fire and that was some little kid set his families car on fire and did not tell anyone, needless to say the entire car was engulfed in flames and this was a few days ago on the first nigth of Ramadan. Just be careful..manage your money and you should have a great time. If your going to go to Syria you will need to try and get the visa before hand..I know some with American passports that were denied entry at the border between Jordan and Syria.

Answer 3

Jordan is safer than Syria. Wear something appropriate to the countries culture and guidelines.

Morcco is totally different that these two countries. Be carefull about money and keep yourself with a group.

Answer 4

As safe as people living in those places could possibly expect!