| Dead Sea (Jordan) Hebrew: ים המלח (Yam HaMelach); Arabic: البحر الميت (al-Bahir al-Mayyit) | |
 | |
| Area type | Sea |
|---|---|
| State | Jordan |
| Region | Via regia of Jordan |
Dead Sea is a lake located in the Via regia of Jordan. It is the lowest point in the world at 394.6m below sea level.
To know
Due to the hypersalinity of the water, one can easily float in the Dead Sea; in fact, it is almost impossible to sink! A popular fashion for visitors is to be photographed reading a newspaper and floating on the surface of the water.
The mud along the Dead Sea coast contains many minerals and is believed to have medicinal and therapeutic benefits. It is not uncommon for visitors to cover their bodies with dark mud.
There are many deposits of salt and crystals scattered along the coast. Many visitors walk the beach looking for oversized pieces as souvenirs.
Dead Sea water is very dense to the touch.
Geographical notes
The Dead Sea is naturally endorheic (landlocked), with the Jordan River being its only major source. The northern part of the Dead Sea receives barely 100 mm of rain per year; the southern section barely receives 50 mm. Due to the artificial reduction of the Jordan River (70-90% of the waters are used for human purposes) and the high evaporation rate of the Dead Sea, the sea is shrinking. All the shallow waters of the southern end of the sea have been drained and are now saline.
Flora and fauna
The water in the Dead Sea is extremely salty and has been estimated as the second largest amount of salty water in the world. Its name derives from the fact that the water is too salty to harbor marine life.
When to go
The climate of the Dead Sea varies according to the season. Temperatures during the tourist season can get extremely hot, ranging from 30 ° C in spring to 40 ° C in summer. The area receives an average of 330 days of sunshine a year, with rainy days only occurring during the winter (if it doesn't rain at all). In general, the Dead Sea is always warmer than it is Ammanso even in winter, when Amman is freezing, you can take a swim on the Dead Sea.
Although it is very sunny, the low altitude and the extra atmosphere (being placed in a depression) make the sunlight dimmer. It is therefore said that sunbathing here carries a lower risk of sunburn, but it is still advisable to take the normal precautions using sunscreen and adapt gradually. This quality of Dead Sea light is the real secret of its mitigating ability to cure various diseases, especially skin diseases.
Background
While the Dead Sea will not completely disappear (as evaporation slows as the surface decreases and salinity increases), measures are currently being proposed to siphon the Red Sea water through a series of tunnels or channels in order to replenish rapidly shrinking waters and supply water and electrical solutions to surrounding countries.
Territories and tourist destinations
Dead Sea (Jordan): full screen map.Urban centers
- 1 Al-Maghtas —
Location of the Baptism of Christ on the Jordan River. - 2 Madaba - Located 40 km south of the capital, Madaba is known as the "City of Mosaics".
Location of the Baptism of Christ on the Jordan River.Other destinations
- Mount Nebo - Mountain from which you can admire the Holy Land with several archaeological traces.
- Wadi Mujib - Gorge that reaches the Dead Sea at about 400 m below sea level.
How to get
From the Jordanian side, the Dead Sea can be reached as a day trip from Amman is Aqaba. The road to the Dead Sea is good with two lanes. The tourist areas are accessible from the main road which runs along the eastern side of the water body and connects to the Jordanian desert highway leading to Amman. The highways leading to the Dead Sea are clearly marked with brown tourist signs. It becomes an ambitious 3 hour trip from Aqaba in southern Jordan.
By bus
From Amman
There are a handful of bus lines that depart from Amman daily. The bus from Mujaharin bus station to Rame costs 1 JD. A taxi from Rame to Amman Tourist Beach 4 JD or less. Especially in good weather, on Fridays and Sundays, buses leave from Muhajarin bus station directly for Amman Tourist Beach, but if they don't at least they will leave you on the road just a couple of kilometers before reaching the sea. If you are used to hitchhiking, it is very easy to move forward.
JETT, the Jordanian national bus company, offers a daily shuttle from Amman (7th roundabout) to the Dead Sea and back. Single ticket at 7 JD. Stops seem to depend on demand. Departure in the morning and return in the afternoon. Check the site Web JETT for updated information.
By taxi
From Amman
Taxi services for trips to the Dead Sea can be purchased for the day for 20 JD if you take a taxi from the center, downtown hotels charge 35 JD for the same service. Many of the local hotels and resorts have shuttles that travel from Amman to the Dead Sea for a fee.
From Aqaba
From Aqaba a taxi can be hired for a full day. If booked through the reception of a luxury hotel, expect to pay around 100 JD. If you find a driver on your own, you can bargain and lower the price a bit (80 JD in January 2010). Make sure you agree with the driver before you leave if you also want to stop at any other site as part of your trip as the driver may not want to drive further than initially agreed.
From Madaba
There are taxis available from Madaba for the regular price of 7-10 JD. But hitchhiking may be the best option. In any case, don't forget to make a short stop at Mount Nebo.
How to get around
By car
If you have a car, you can easily take road 65 which connects the entire Jordanian coast of the Black Sea from north to south.
By taxi
The taxi is an excellent way to move from one part to the other avoiding the difficulties of poor public transport coverage.
What see
The hypersalinized water of the Dead Sea is its own attraction. However, there are several nearby attractions that deserve attention:
- 1 Panoramic Dead Sea Complex (Dead Sea Museum), ☎ 962 7 8248 8880.
2 JD. 
09:00-22:00. A new museum complex on the Dead Sea, with panoramic viewpoint, restaurant and conference room on a steep cliff above the Dead Sea near Hammamet Ma'in. It is accessible from both the Dead Sea and the Madaba by car, however it is difficult to reach by public transport. The museum is managed by the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature and has some interesting information about the geology, ecology (animals and plants), archeology, history and industry of the Dead Sea and the surrounding area. It also has information on the environmental problem related to the Dead Sea, such as decreasing water levels and karst in the Dead Sea coast. As the name suggests, it has magnificent views of the Dead Sea and the hills beyond. Watching the sunset from here is a wonderful experience. - 2 Hammamat Ma'in. 15 JOD. 08:00-23:00. A remarkable series of natural hot springs with waterfalls, some of which have been channeled into pools and baths. Spectacular bathing in the outdoor tub under the hot waterfall. Inside the site it is possible to stay. Highly recommended.
2 JD. 
09:00-22:00. A new museum complex on the Dead Sea, with panoramic viewpoint, restaurant and conference room on a steep cliff above the Dead Sea near Hammamet Ma'in. It is accessible from both the Dead Sea and the 
- 3 Lot's cave. free. Located on the site of the remains of an ancient Byzantine monastery and church above the village of Al Safi. It is believed to be the cave where Lot took refuge with his two daughters when God, according to the Bible, destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah. The site is officially closed for construction, but a local guide can accompany you along the 300 steps of the cave itself. If you are a small group you may be allowed to look inside. From the site it is possible to look over the irrigated fields that have developed where the Dead Sea has receded in recent years. At its feet there is also the Museum in the lowest place on earth, which is free with the Jordan Pass.
What to do
Beaches
Many hotels sell day passes which include full use of the hotel facilities and their Dead Sea beaches; to the Mövenpick Resort, day passes cost JD 20 per person for hotel guests, while others pay JD 40 on weekdays and JD 50 on weekends.
In the low season and if you are at least two, instead of spending 20/25 JD on the public beach, try one of the smaller hotels (Dead Sea Spa Hotel or O Beach Hotel) who might be happy to offer you a bargain price for around 50 JD and stay here for one night. Or, instead of paying the entrance fee, you could try walking a few hundred meters after the beach Amman Tourist, walking down the hill. But bring waterproof sandals or flip flops, at least 1.5L of fresh water for a shower afterwards, sunscreen, and a towel. It is said No Swimming after Dark beyond Amman Tourist Beach, i.e. swimming during the day is allowed. But know that there is no lifeguard on duty and read the chapter on safety.
- 1 Amman Tourist Beach. It is a public resort with clean facilities, including changing rooms, fresh water showers (on the beach and in the changing rooms), a swimming pool, and a restaurant. The cost to access the public tourist beach is 20 JD (April 2016) (with swimming pools) and 10 JD for the locals. Jordanian beach is 15 meters to the left of the tourist entrance, not recommended for women on Fridays. Lockers can be hired for 1.5 JD as well as towels.
- Attention, it is not allowed to bring food! There are a few beach umbrellas, loungers, and basic beach chairs, but not enough. The beach is poorly maintained, with large holes in the sand from time to time and lots of rubbish (April 2016).
- 2 Free beach (About 10km south of Amman Tourist Beach). It's a favorite with locals and is easily recognized by a couple of stalls selling snacks and water near the road. The place is dirty and nobody cares about it, but if you are short on cash, the Dead Sea is just as perfect as everywhere. There is some water that comes from a hot spring that can serve as a shower to remove the salt from the skin. Getting a ride from there to Amman is easy and occasionally buses also run which you can get on for a small fee.
Other
- 3 Zara Spa, Mövenpick Resort & Spa Dead Sea, Sweimeh (55 km south of Amman), ☎ 962 5 356 11 11, fax: 962 5 356 11 22. 08:30-20:30. There are several pools, some of which have varying concentrations of minerals, including a heated pool for the winter. A vast private beach runs along the shore of the Dead Sea, and there are jacuzzis, tennis courts, and a fitness center. There are also four restaurants and several cafes and bars.
- 4 Panoramic point. An excellent spot near the coastal road, where you can see a beautiful view of the sea and the opposite shore.
Shopping
Visitors can purchase packages of the famous mud, as well as other cultural artifacts and handicrafts, from local souvenir shops.
Where to eat
Places to eat (restaurants or other establishments) near the Dead Sea are scarce.
The Jordanian public beach features a buffet restaurant and a small beach snack bar. Visitors planning to visit public beaches are advised to bring their own food and drinks.
- 1 Samara Mall, ☎ 962 7 9888 2888. Mon-Sun 10: 00-24: 00. A shopping center where there are also bars and restaurants.
Where stay
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Search the web for a quote and availability on local hotels. Having seen the price online, it may be possible to save another 5-10 JD by calling them and asking for the fare.
- Dead Sea Resthouse (presumably part of Amman's public beach), ☎ 96253560110. A two star hotel.
- 1 O Beach Dead Sea (5km south of where most of the other hotels are located), ☎ 962 5 3492000. from 50 JD. Decent option. This is a good start if you want to go further south, but there are no shops or restaurants except the one in the hotel. You may have to negotiate hard to get the best price; try checking theHoliday Inn as it has special offers for 60 JD on Booking.com. Otherwise try the Dead Sea Spa Hotel.
- 2 The Dead Sea Spa, ☎ 962 5 3561000. from 55 JD. A 4-star hotel with many services. The hotel is located in the hotel zone, next to the Marriot and Kempinski. Minibus hire with a driver to get there from Amman (including visits to the baptism site and Mount Nebo on the way) costs JD 50. There are a few pools, including 2 children's pools and direct access to the Dead Sea on the hotel's beach.
- 3 Mövenpick Resort & Spa Dead Sea, Sweimeh, Dead Sea Road (approximately 55 km south of Amman), ☎ 962 5 356 11 11, fax: 962 5 356 11 22, @[email protected]. from 99 JD. Check in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Quiet resort located on the northern shores of the Dead Sea. Despite the ancient appearance of the village, all 346 rooms are luxuriously decorated in warm, natural colors. The latest Beach Rooms and Beach Suites feature modern furnishings and large terraces. Individual air conditioning, satellite TV, direct dial telephone, tea and coffee making facilities, hairdryer and safe are standard amenities in each room. Including a heated swimming pool for the winter. A vast private beach runs along the shore of the Dead Sea, and there are jacuzzis, tennis courts, and a fitness center. There are also four restaurants and several cafes and bars.
- 4 The Kempinski Hotel Ishtar, ☎ 962 5 356 8888. A 5 star hotel and spa.
- 5 Holiday Inn Dead Sea. From 60 JD in low season. 5-star resort opened in 2009.
- 6 The Jordan Valley Marriott Resort & Spa, ☎ 962 5 3560400. 5 star hotel.
Safety
In general
If you are a resort: wash the salt in the beach showers before using the towel. Otherwise the towel becomes salty and will leave the salt on the skin when you use it after a shower (the salt can cause itching).
Always wear waterproof sandals - the salt is very jagged and can easily cut your feet.
When you go in the water always go with someone else, in case something happens.
If you get salt water in your eyes, don't touch yourself with your hands. Just wait for the tear fluid to remove it.
Swimming
Several people drown in the Dead Sea every year because they don't obey a rule: float only on your back. Accidents happen when someone tries to swim normally on the water - the legs float more than usual and it will be difficult to keep the head above the water. This is true for weaker swimmers, and particularly if attempting to swim breaststroke. If a little panic occurs, it can be life threatening. The frog is also made difficult by the fact that the legs are raised too high above the water to provide normal forward motion. A strong swimmer can easily swim freestyle; if you are going to try, glasses are essential and should be well fitted. While safe for a skilled swimmer it's an unusual sensation due to the buoyancy of the water, it's not a feat most people can handle for long.
Also, salt causes great pain if it comes into contact with the eyes. Even with the eyes protected by glasses, water will enter the nose and sting, on the lips and inevitably in the mouth. It tastes disgusting. Aside from drowning, water inhalation can cause specific, sometimes life-threatening medical problems that are not seen with other bodies of water, due to the water's very high electrolyte content, so be sure of your own. swimming skills and confidence in the water before deciding to swim out of this simple rule.
Bad weather
When the day is stormy, the Dead Sea can also develop strong waves. It is not safe to enter at that time, considering all of the previous warnings. Plus, you won't have much fun experimenting with buoyancy.
Flash floods
During the winter and spring there is a danger of flooding on rainy days. The Dead Sea Basin receives rainwater from relatively distant areas such as the mountains of Jerusalem. This means that sometimes floods occur suddenly and unexpectedly during a sunny day. Therefore, be careful when hiking to distant and narrow places during these seasons and stay tuned to the news of the weather. Weather forecasts provide always warnings in case of possibility of flooding. follow always suggestions from national reserve officers - they know the place very well. In 2007, several Israelis were killed in a flood because they did not obey orders from the National Reserve personnel.
How to keep in touch
Around
Virtually all destinations from here can be reached by taxi. But it's better to call one along the way instead of letting your hotel arrange the taxi, because the latter option will include a hefty additional cost maintained by the hotel. However, you can ask your hotel to get a benchmark for the potential price - take half (or even less) of that as a starting point for negotiations with any taxi driver.
Otherwise there are regular (mini) buses going south, combining this service and hitchhiking, you can easily reach al-Karak or the Dana Biosphere Reserve in a day. Petra it may be a bit far, especially if you want to stop for any views along the way.
- Madaba - The nearby town known as the "City of Mosaics" is famous for its Byzantine and Umayyad mosaics, in particular a large mosaic map of the Palestine of the Byzantine era and the delta of the Nile in the church of San Giorgio.
- Al-Karak - site of a Crusader castle.
- Dana Biosphere Reserve - Stay in a local village within the Nature Reserve and enjoy an unforgettable excursion to an offshoot of the Great Rift.
- Petra - The most famous site in Jordan.
- Wadi Rum - a beautiful desert valley in southern Jordan, located about an hour south of Petra.
