Ma'an Governorate is Jordan's largest governorate by area, encompassing the legendary rose-red city of Petra, the dramatic desert landscapes of Wadi Rum, and the historic market town of Ma'an city. This southern region is home to some of the ancient world's most extraordinary monuments, carved by the Nabataean civilization over two millennia ago. From rugged desert canyons to Crusader-era castles, Ma'an offers an unparalleled journey through layers of human history set against spectacular natural scenery.
Local currency: Jordanian Dinar (JOD).
Daily budget by traveller style
Typical per-person daily spend in Ma'an.
Cost breakdown
Typical price ranges across major spending categories.
Accommodation
- Hostel
- JOD 8-15/night ($11-21) — dormitory bed
- Budget
- JOD 15-30/night ($21-42) — budget private room
- Midrange
- JOD 40-80/night ($56-113) — comfortable hotel
- Luxury
- JOD 120-300/night ($169-423) — 4-5 star resort
Food
- Street
- JOD 1-3 ($1.50-4) — shawarma, falafel, juice
- Local
- JOD 4-8 ($6-11) — local sit-down restaurant
- Midrange
- JOD 10-18 ($14-25) — tourist restaurant
- Fine
- JOD 25-50 ($35-70) — hotel restaurant or special experience
Transport
- Bus
- JOD 7-10 ($10-14) — JETT bus Amman to Wadi Musa
- Taxi
- JOD 10-25 ($14-35) — local taxi within region
- Airport
- JOD 30-45 ($42-63) — private transfer from Amman airport
- Daytrip
- JOD 20-50 ($28-70) — organized day trip or shared taxi
Activities
- Museum
- JOD 1-3 ($1.50-4) — local museums
- Sites
- JOD 1-5 ($1.50-7) — Shoubak, Dana trail fees
- Tour
- JOD 50-90 ($70-127) — 1-day Petra entry
- Excursion
- JOD 80-120 ($113-169) — full day guided private tour
Trip budgets by length
What a typical trip to Ma'an costs end-to-end.
Budget traveller
JOD 200-280 for 7 days ($280-394)
Midrange traveller
JOD 600-840 for 7 days ($845-1,183)
Luxury traveller
JOD 1,750+ for 7 days ($2,460+)
Money-saving tips
Practical ways to stretch your budget further.
Buy the Jordan Pass before arriving ($70-110) — it includes visa fee AND Petra entry, saving you JOD 50+ on Petra alone
Stay 2 nights at Petra to use a 2-day Petra ticket (included in most Jordan Passes) — much better value
Take the JETT bus from Amman to Wadi Musa (JOD 7) rather than a private taxi (JOD 35-45)
Eat breakfast at your hostel or pick up fuul and falafel from street stalls — same quality as cafés at a fraction of the price
Visit Little Petra and Beidha — completely free alternatives to Petra's entrance fee
Share taxis (service taxis) between towns are much cheaper than private hire
Shop for souvenirs in Ma'an city rather than at Petra — prices are significantly lower
Cook your own dinner at hostels with kitchen facilities to save on evening meals
Book Petra Kitchen and other experiences well in advance — last-minute prices are higher
The hiking trails in Dana Reserve charge JOD 3 — an extraordinary nature experience at a minimal cost
Free things to do
Memorable experiences that cost nothing.
Little Petra (Siq al-Barid)
Free admission to the Nabataean siq with carved dining rooms and temples — genuinely unmissable
Beidha Neolithic Village
9,000-year-old settlement adjacent to Little Petra with free entry
Shoubak Village Walking
Explore the pretty village of Shoubak outside the castle walls at no charge
Wadi Musa Souk
Browse the colourful market street, bargain for crafts, and people-watch
Ain Musa (Moses' Spring)
Visit the sacred spring with its Ottoman-era shrine — completely free
Dana Village Exploration
Walk the historic Ottoman stone village lanes and enjoy canyon views for free
Sunset Viewpoints
Multiple free hilltop viewpoints around Wadi Musa and Dana for spectacular sunsets
Wadi Musa Evening Stroll
The main street comes alive in the evenings with local life, food stalls, and atmosphere
Ma'an City Heritage Quarter
Walk the historic old quarter of Ma'an city and observe traditional Jordanian urban life
Humayma Archaeological Site
Remote Nabataean-Abbasid ruins on the Desert Highway with free access