Getting There

My small group of three took a rental car and drove to the city of Petra, which is about a two-hour drive from Amaan.  Parking was unbelievably easy as there were plenty of spots just a few yards past the main entrance.  I recommend getting there early in the day.  This way, there is a lot of parking but also WAY less people (better photos for your Instagram).  Parking in these spots felt too good to be true, but we had no problems.  Our luggage was still there, and we didn’t get any tickets, so that was great!

Tour Guides / Tickets

While getting our tickets for the day, we were convinced on getting a tour guide.  It was a fantastic decision!  He led us through the maze-like entrance and was able to dig deep into the history of this magnificent city.  He even pointed out things that I would have definitely missed had I tried to go through myself.  Would you have noticed that this part of the water canals used to be a huge statue of a person and two camels?  How about the fact that this tiny fence is here to “protect” what was the most holy rock in Petra?  People were climbing on the other side of it with no idea. What about some cool things like how the top of the rocks looks like a camel?  He was awesome and super excited to talk to us about this fantastic place.  I highly recommend.

Worn away camels from the water canals

Holy Rock

Holy Rock

Camel shaped mountain

What I would have done differently though, is gotten the two-day ticket and do Petra By Night.  We were on a time restraint and were only able to do a day trip (which honestly is totally fine and we hit all the big things), but I wish we had another day to slow down and take in absolutely everything including all the side paths.  Also, the Petra By Night photos looked absolutely incredible.  I will definitely be making my way back eventually to do these.

Side building

My camel friend

The Amphitheater

Weather and Dressing Appropriately

I was there late January, and it was quite hot.  As you can see in the picture below, I wore hiking pants and a sweatshirt.  Boy, was the sweatshirt a mistake.  Especially after the hike up to the Monastery, I was a hot and sweaty mess. What I do recommend though (especially for my females) is to dress fairly modest, but comfortable.  Avoid short shorts, leggings, or tank tops.  Instead, go for more light fitting pants or even long dresses and some sort of loose, airy long sleeve or even a shawl that covers some skin.  You don’t have to, but I feel that there is a level of respect being in a place like Petra in a more conservative country.

Food / Water / Snacks

Bring your own water and snacks!  You will save time and money (lots of money).  The guys I was traveling with did not and ended up paying around $5 USD for a small can of Pringles.  So, unless you want to throw money at some vendors, I suggest bringing your own.  Plus, only you know what you truly want, and their options aren’t all that great.  You’ll definitely be hungry and thirsty from all the walking, so I suggest coming prepared with some things to snack on and water to drink.  Avoid the expensive tourist taxes.

Bedouin Salespeople

There are many people in Petra trying to sell you stuff.  My recommendation?  Say no.  Everything is “on sale, just for you, my friend.”  The reality is that you don’t need it, and if you think you do, it’s cheaper elsewhere.  The kids especially are phenomenal salespeople with their sob stories.  Also, NEVER tell them you’ll “come back and look” because they will remember you, and they will convince you to buy way more than you planned (speaking from experience).  Try to say “no thank you” and keep walking!  They also talk, so if you buy something from one person, be prepared for the next one because they will get you (again, experience here).  True story, my friend got suckered in to buying coins that some older man had “found in the ruins of Petra” (insert eye roll here).  Just keep saying no. They are persistent, but I warned you!

Bedouin Man

Bedouin Stands

Do NOT Miss the Monastery

Let’s set the record straight first, Petra is the city as a whole, not a specific building.  The building that people think of when someone says “Petra” is actually called The Treasury which is the first photo below.  It is quite fantastic, and as your tour guide will tell you (since you really should get one) is full of history and has withstood some crazy stuff, including being continually shot at!  The real treat for me though, was the hike up to The Monastery.  Equally as large, incredibly preserved (definitely not shot at), and the best part, hardly any people!  It’s about a medium level hike with over 800 stairs (a number given by our guide) and pretty strenuous, but totally worth it.  Because of all this, not as many people are crowding it, and you can get some incredible photos (like these below).

After admiring the structure, there is a path to the left (if you’re facing the Monastery) that leads to “The Best View.”  Here’s a tip for you though: go to the far-right lookout.  The other two are pretty cool, and the middle one has an abandoned Pepsi cooler that I loved taking photos of, but the far right eliminates this HUGE rock that gets in the way of most of the scenery.  You’re welcome.  Another thing to note about being up there, is that there’s a porta-potty (which was nice since I really had to pee).  They do try to get you to tip for toilet paper though, but just grab the roll and say thanks.  So, if you’re even in slightly decent shape, make your way up there, I promise it’s worth it.

The Treasury

Sometimes there are obstacles to get to The Monastery

The Monastery

The Monastery through a rock cave

Trail to view

The Best View

Pepsi Cooler

The View

Any tips for Petra you’d like me to add for the next time I go?  Drop a comment below!