The Sea of Death, Lake Asphaltites

Jordan is not only about Petra, Wadi Rum Desert and its countless ancient cities and monuments. It has lots more to offer, certainly being one of the greatest assets the Dead Sea. Forming the border naturally with Israel just at the other coast and completely visible from Jordan, is one of these once in a lifetime, hopefully more, experience. And yes, what you have heard that the water is really pushing you up to float, it’s all true, no doubt. What I did not expect is that once you walk inside the water, when it covers your legs, then it’s hard to even keep standing up right. Just let yourself float and enjoy.

To reach the nearest beaches from Amman, you have a handful of bus lines from Mujaharin bus station to Rame, at the costs of just 1 JD. But first, once you are at that bus station, ask anyone to point you to the right bus to Rame. There are too many buses and it can get seriously confused but people over there is really friendly and will help you. Such buses leave once they are full and so on. The trip will take around 45 minutes, passing through great hill landscapes full of olive plantations. Once you are in Rame, a taxi to Amman Beach costs around 4JD. If you are planning to stay just for a while, then negotiate with the driver that he waits for you while you bath, and then drive you back to Rame. It will cost you around 6JD per person, 8 at max.

It is not much more to be said about this place, however I separate into another section few more notes to give you further important tips to seriously consider before going. For more information about the Dead Sea check Wikipedia site. Jordan’s currency is the Jordanian Dinar (JD). Please note that any price reference is true as from when this guide was created, therefore check prices in advance as with the time they change.

Important tips and information

Entering Amman Beach costs 15 JD. It grants you access to the sandy beach, towels and sweet water showers. Very important to remove the salt from your body. But, it is not mandatory that you come to a pay beach.

Of course, you can access the sea from any other place, not from the many resorts and hotels aligning the area around Amman Beach. In fact, you will not experience the Dead Sea in full unless you choose to access by an open beach.

All you need to do is pack at least 3 bottles of 2 litres each of tap water (yes you have guessed why) and tell the taxi driver to take you just a bit further from Amman Beach, then make your way through the rocks down to the beach. Notice all the rocks, wood from trees and anything is covered in a thick white layer of pure salt. Also, there is no sand. Instead it’s a thick layer of transparent salt, very hard, and painful if you are thinking in walking barefoot. You need sandals. Please remember, this is very important to have sandals.

Now to what matters itself. You should not be inside the water for more than 30 minutes consecutive. Otherwise, the killer sun and the super salinity will burn your skin, well, the first if you are coming during the winter months will not count, but the salinity burning your skin yes. Take extreme precaution no drop of water comes in contact with your eyes. Don’t be silly by splashing water one each other’s. The Dead Sea is the last place you will want to do that, and if this happens come out quickly and rinse with sweet water. Also, not only the water itself, but your hands, if you touch your eyes with your salty hands the same will happen.

You don’t need towels, you dry almost instantly once you leave the water. Then take the bottles of tap water to rinse yourself from the salt. You will have a guaranteed fun and laugh in doing all this “clandestine” way. Sometimes it’s much more fun to go on the cheap, than on the easy way.

As for the way back to Amman or the place you are staying in, if you got a driver to wait for you then he will take you back to Rame, from here wait on the main road for the next bus to come, and you will be again on your way back to Amman. Do never listen to the people who tells you there are no buses because whatever the reason, never, all they want is for you to enter their car and drive you back for a high fee. A bus will come in few minutes.

Accommodation

This was a day trip to the Dead Sea from our base in Amman, therefore there’s not much I can say about a recommended place to stay. In any case, this is one of the major tourist destinations in Jordan, and right along the coast are plenty of hotels, from the top grand luxurious to more modest ones. A good and reasonable point to start your search is by checking some of our preferred affiliate hotel search engine such as Hotels.com, Booking.com, Expedia, Otel.com, Agoda, Opodo, Hotels Click, LateRooms or Ebookers.

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