When visiting Jordan, a stop at the Dead Sea should be on everyone’s list. Relaxing in the Dead Sea area is the perfect stop after hiking around Petra and an excellent escape from the hustle and bustle of Amman. The following are some pro tips for visiting the Dead Sea, as you will not want to find yourself unprepared and it takes a small amount of planning.
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A Brief History of the Dead Sea
The Dead Sea is considered the lowest point on Earth and one of the World’s saltiest bodies of water. People dwelling in the area dates back to Biblical Times. During the Greek and Roman period, many works talk about the grandeur of the Dead Sea and it is an important trade route.
During the Byzantine Empire, the Dead Sea became a place of escape for many people being persecuted. In the modern era, it has become a place of escape for people to relax and visit the lowest point on earth.
When to Visit the Dead Sea
Spring is the best time to visit the Dead Sea as the weather will not be the stifling hot as the summertime is and you will avoid the rainy season. We visited at the beginning of June and while it was hot, it was not yet the unbearable summer heat!
How to Get to the Dead Sea
The closest airport to the Dead Sea in Jordan is the Queen Alia International Airport in Amman. From the airport, it will take just under an hour to get to the various resorts along the Dead Sea. You can even do it as a day trip from Amman if you prefer, but I recommend staying overnight.
Where to Stay Near the Dead Sea
The Dead Sea area has a TON of resort hotels. All of them seem really nice and are around the same price. You will want to make sure you stay at a resort that has access to a private beach as it makes the experience much better. Check out this post for more in-depth reviews of some of the best Dead Sea Resorts in Jordan. TripAdvisor is a great place to start your hotel search. Search for the best Dead Sea hotels here! Other options include the following hotels.
We opted to stay at the Hilton Dead Sea Resort, which was the best decision because of my Hilton status. The Marriott Dead Sea Resort and the Movenpick Dead Sea Resort are two other very popular options. You can also try to price-match a hotel if you find it listed cheaper elsewhere. These tips for visiting the Dead Sea will ensure an enjoyable stay.
How Much Does it Cost to Visit the Dead Sea?
Resorts in the Dead Sea area can be pretty pricey, especially if they have their own private beach. However, I felt that the price was well worth it. We paid about $200 to stay at the Hilton Dead Sea Resort. However, we had a stunning room with a view of the Dead Sea, you got access to the beach where you received the Dead Sea treatment, and the property had a ton of amenities.
Top Tips for Visiting the Dead Sea
Floating in the Dead Sea is an incredible experience and something you will remember for the rest of your life. These top tips for visiting the Dead Sea will help ensure your experience is a non-stressful one.
Don’t Shave
When they say the Dead Sea is very salty, it is not a lie! Salt irritates any open cuts, so make sure not to shave a day or two leading up to your float in the Dead Sea! Some people say 3+ days, but I did not shave the day before and I was totally fine.
Avoid Cuts
To go along with the shaving, try and make sure you do not have any open cuts! It WILL string and not be pleasant when being in the salt water for that long.
Bring an Old Swimsuit
Although the Dead Sea will not completely wreck your swimsuit, it does leave a bit of residue on your suit. I brought an old swimsuit that I wanted to get rid of and wore it. My husband brought some older swim trunks in case they would get ruined, but they were totally fine after a wash. I would just not wear anything new or something that you would be heartbroken over if you ruined it.
Keep Your Face Out of the Water
The biggest of the tips for visiting the Dead Sea is to NOT put your head underwater. This is very dangerous and the salt will burn your eyes even if they are closed. While we were there, one lady accidentally got a little bit of water near her eye and it was not a pleasant experience for her. She spent a good 10 minutes rinsing it out.
Pay Attention to the Time
There is a strict routine you should follow when visiting the Dead Sea to ensure you do not stay in the water for longer than you are supposed to. At our resort, they gave us instructions, but you may have to estimate the time as we did not have a way to keep track of the time. Pretty much each time you soak, you should not stay in for more than 10-15 minutes. After your final time in the Dead Sea, make sure to rinse off with fresh water to get all of the salt off.
Soak at Sunset
If you want the ultimate Dead Sea experience, opt to soak at sunset. You will get some great photos with the sun setting in the background and it is the perfect way to end your day. You will be sorry if you are not there for sunset. This is one of the best tips for visiting the Dead Sea.
Visit the Museum at the Lowest Point on Earth
When visiting Jordan, you will want to invest in a Jordan Pass! This pass gives you admission into a lot of sites around Jordan. When visiting the Dead Sea, make sure to stop at the Museum at the Lowest Point on Earth. You get free admission here with your Jordan Pass.
The Museum at the Lowest Point on Earth is dedicated to artifacts and archeological remains from the area. This museum provides a good overview of the history of the area. Plan to spend maybe an hour exploring the museum.
Splurge on the Hotel with a Private Beach
Part of the Dead Sea experience in Jordan is getting to stay at a super nice resort with a private beach and lots of amenities. Not all the resorts have private beach access to the Dead Sea though, so make sure to look into that when booking the resort.
Enjoy the Resort
When visiting the Dead Sea in Jordan, you will most likely be staying at a nice resort. Make sure to take the time to utilize the resort outside of the Dead Sea! We stayed at the Hilton Dead Sea Resort and had time to eat at one of their nice restaurants and spend a lot of time utilizing the various pools. You are most likely paying a lot to stay there, so make sure to take advantage of it.
Drink Lots of Water
Jordan in general is a very hot and dry country as it mostly consists of desert landscapes. Since the Dead Sea is very salty, it also sucks a lot of the water from you when floating in it. Thus, make sure you drink a ton of water during your visit.
Wear Water Shoes
Another important tip for visiting the Dead Sea is to wear water shoes! A lot of people went in the water barefoot but their feet came out a bit raw due to the rocky sand getting into the Dead Sea. You also cannot see the bottom as you walk in, so I appreciated my shoes.
Do Bring Something Funny to Pose With
Make sure to have something funny to pose with when floating in the Dead Sea, especially if you are into taking pictures. We regretted not being more forward-thinking and thinking of ideas prior to visiting. There were people who brought a book or newspaper with them for pictures. It would have been great to have those funny poses!
Final Tips for Visiting the Dead Sea
These tips for visiting the Dead Sea in Jordan will be an experience you will not forget. You can also access the Dead Sea from Israel, but I have heard the Jordan side is better due to the amazing resorts. If you have the time, make sure to explore more of Jordan such as Aqaba, or head over to Israel.
1 thought on “12+ Spectacular Tips for Visiting the Dead Sea, Jordan: A Visit to the Lowest Point on Earth”
What a special place, I would love to visit!