Jordan is a playground for thrill-seekers. From narrow canyons to wide desert plains, adventure hides in every corner.
Renting a car in Jordan gives American travelers the power to chase these experiences at their own pace. No schedules. No crowds. Just open roads and wild landscapes waiting to be explored.
In this guide, we’ll skip the usual hot air balloon rides and camel treks. We will focus on real adventures that push boundaries and leave you breathless.
Most American travelers in Jordan begin their journey by picking up their rental at Queen Alia International Airport in Amman.
It’s the most convenient option if you're flying into Jordan. You can also collect your vehicle from city branches or designated pickup locations, depending on the rental company.
For desert routes like Wadi Rum, Al Disi, or off-road trails, go for a 4x4 or SUV. These vehicles offer better traction and clearance. If you’re sticking to Amman, Petra, or major highways, a compact or mid-size sedan is more fuel-efficient and easier to park.
You can use your U.S. driver’s license for up to 90 days in Jordan. Still, bring an International Driving Permit in case of checkpoints or rental office requests.
Fuel stations are common in cities but limited in remote areas. So, fill up before entering the desert. Always choose full insurance to cover damage from sand, gravel, or unexpected road conditions.
Adventure-seekers will love canyoning in Jordan’s wild and watery gorges. Here are the top spots you shouldn’t miss when driving in Jordan:
Wadi Mujib is the lowest nature reserve on Earth, sitting around 410 meters below sea level. Located on the eastern shore of the Dead Sea, it’s known for its deep canyons, fast-flowing rivers, and towering sandstone cliffs.
The reserve offers several trails, but not all are open year-round due to weather and safety concerns. The main season runs from April 1 to October 31, as flash floods and heavy rains make the area dangerous during the colder months. Most trails open daily from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
The most popular route, the Siq Trail, stretches about 2.5 kilometers round trip and takes 2 to 3 hours to complete.
You can go hiking, swimming, and climbing through narrow gorges and end at a waterfall. This trail is self-guided and suitable for those with moderate fitness.
For those looking for a more intense experience, the Malaqi Trail offers a longer and more demanding adventure. It covers around 6 kilometers and takes 5 to 6 hours to finish.
This trail includes both dry and wet canyon terrain, natural pools, and waterfalls. A guide is required for this route due to the complexity and physical demands.
Wadi Hidan offers a striking contrast to the sandstone gorges of nearby reserves. Here, you'll find black volcanic rock, rugged cliffs, and narrow channels shaped by flowing water.
This site is only accessible with a guide, as the path involves climbing, swimming, and jumping into deep pools. The trail usually takes about 3 to 4 hours to complete and requires a moderate to high fitness level. Helmets, life jackets, and waterproof gear are provided by tour operators.
Wadi Hidan is open during the warmer months, typically from April to October, depending on weather conditions. It’s best experienced in small groups, as the narrow channels and water features are ideal for shared adventure without overcrowding.
Wadi Zarqa Ma’in is one of Jordan’s hidden gems for adventure travelers. Though lesser known than Wadi Mujib or Wadi Hidan, this canyon offers just as much excitement, without the crowds. It’s carved into dark volcanic rock and shaped by flowing streams, giving the trail a raw, untouched feel.
Expect to descend steep rock faces, splash through narrow channels, and tackle a series of small waterfalls.
The route is only accessible with a guide, and the trek takes about 3 to 5 hours, depending on group size and pace. Along the way, you’ll jump into natural pools, climb over smooth rock ledges, and swim through cool, fast-moving water.
Wadi Zarqa Ma’in sits close to the Ma’in Hot Springs. A soak in the mineral-rich hot pools is the perfect way to recover and reflect on the day.
The canyon is usually open from April to October, when conditions are safe and dry. During the colder months, flash flood risks make the area inaccessible.
Jordan’s deserts are made for dust, speed, and open-air rides. Don’t miss these three during your road trip in Jordan:
Wadi Rum is one of Jordan’s most iconic desert landscapes. Its wide open spaces, red sand dunes, and towering sandstone cliffs create a surreal, almost Mars-like setting.
The best way to explore Wadi Rum is by joining a 4x4 desert tour led by local Bedouins.
These guided drives take you through narrow canyons, rock formations like the Mushroom Rock or Seven Pillars of Wisdom, and natural stone bridges you can climb.
For more speed and control, many visitors opt for dune buggies, which let you drive across open desert stretches.
Adventure tours also include sandboarding, where you glide down high dunes on a board. Some packages include short hikes to lookout points, camel rides, or overnight stays in Bedouin camps.
Wadi Rum is open year-round. However, the best time to visit is spring (March to May) or autumn (September to November), when temperatures are milder and perfect for daytime activities.
Al Disi is a quiet desert region near Jordan’s southern border with Saudi Arabia. It offers a stunning blend of golden sand dunes, flat open plains, and rocky outcrops.
This is perfect for travelers looking to escape the busier trails of Wadi Rum. The scenery is wide and open, with fewer crowds and just as many photo-worthy views.
This area is ideal for ATV rides, thanks to its long stretches of flat terrain and tall, rolling dunes. You can ride across soft sand, climb gentle slopes, and explore remote corners that feel untouched.
Guided ATV tours are available and often tailored to your pace and skill level.
Al Disi is also great for peaceful desert walks and sunset viewing. Due to its proximity to Wadi Rum, many visitors pair both areas in one trip for a full desert adventure.
Qasr Burqu’ is one of Jordan’s most remote and hauntingly beautiful sites, located deep in the eastern desert near the Iraqi border. You’ll drive across a vast, barren landscape of black basalt rock, where roads disappear and silence stretches for miles.
This route demands a 4x4 vehicle and a reliable GPS, as there are no clear signs or service stations along the way.
Once there, you’ll find the ruins of a Roman fort, built using dark stone and set beside a shallow seasonal lake that appears after rare rains. The contrast between ancient ruins and desert wilderness creates an eerie, cinematic atmosphere.
Wild birds often gather around the water, making it a great spot for nature watching in the middle of the desert.
Because of its location, Qasr Burqu’ sees very few visitors. There are no facilities nearby, so bring supplies. The area is best visited in spring or autumn, when desert temperatures are milder and the terrain is easier to cross.
Jordan isn’t just about deserts. Its peaks and coastlines offer sky and sea thrills too:
Aqaba is Jordan’s only coastal city, and it’s the top destination for diving enthusiasts. The Red Sea waters here are calm, warm, and rich in marine life. You’ll find coral reefs, schools of fish, and even sunken shipwrecks like the Cedar Pride, one of the region’s most popular dive sites.
The wreck sits just 26 meters below the surface and is easy to reach for both beginners and advanced divers.
Other dive spots near Aqaba include Japanese Garden, known for soft coral formations and reef walls, and the Tank site, where a submerged military tank rests among schools of fish.
Most dive centers offer full gear rental, guided tours, and beginner courses. Diving is possible year-round, with the best visibility and water conditions from April to November.
For those who prefer soaring above the sea, paragliding in Jordan is available from highland points like the Karak plateau and the Dana Biosphere Reserve. These elevated spots offer dramatic take-off views and sweeping panoramas of valleys, cliffs, and deserts.
Mount Nebo Ridge is one of the most scenic paragliding launch points in Jordan. Perched high above the Jordan Valley, it offers breathtaking panoramic views stretching from the Dead Sea to the hills of Palestine on clear days.
The take-off area sits along a wide ridge, giving paragliders a long glide path and steady lift.
The wind conditions here are generally stable, especially in spring and autumn. The launch area is accessible by road, and the nearby open grassy fields provide smooth, spacious landing zones.
Tala Bay, located just south of Aqaba, is a private seaside resort area known for its clean beaches, luxury hotels, and a wide range of water sports.
The calm, clear waters make it a prime spot for parasailing, where you can glide above the bay and take in views of the Red Sea and desert cliffs.
For faster fun, jet skiing and banana boat rides are popular choices. The area is well-equipped with rental stations and instructors, so even beginners can join in.
You’ll also find snorkeling trips, paddleboarding, and short boat cruises that explore nearby coral spots.
Tala Bay is open year-round, but the best time to visit is between April and November, when the water is warm and conditions are ideal.
The best places to drive in Jordan open the door to serious adventure. From canyoning in wild gorges to off-roading in Martian deserts and diving in coral-rich seas, the country offers non-stop thrills.
Want full control over your Jordan adventure? Renting a car with Finalrentals is your best choice. We offer great prices, airport pickups, and vehicles fit for city roads and desert tracks.
