One of the popular winter destinationstourists eager for an inexpensive vacation, is Jordan. Aqaba is the only sea resort in the country. The city is famous for its centuries-old history, numerous sights, unique climate, beaches and coral reefs. What kind of rest should be expected in Aqaba? This you will learn from our article.
Located this resort in the north of the Aqabathe Gulf of the Red Sea. From the capital of Jordan, Amman, it is divided three hundred and thirty-five kilometers. Aqaba has a border position on the political map of the world. The Israeli resort of Eilat is very near. And through the waters of the bay you can see the Egyptian Taba. But rest in Aqaba is not like a vacation in Israel. There is no seals and relaxation there, as in the hotels of Egypt with their "all inclusive". Aqaba attracts young and active natures who prefer active recreation. Because there are so many attractions around, that spending all the days on the beach is just sinful.
The easiest way to reach the resort is from Eilat (Israel).In order to avoid misunderstandings on the border, it's easier to get from Amman (Jordan). Aqaba is located from it more than three hundred kilometers to the south. To overcome this distance it is possible on state buses of firm JETT. They are very comfortable and arrive in Aqaba to the hotel "Movenpik" on the street of King Hussein. An alternative to the state carrier is the private company Trust International Transport. Its buses arrive on the street of An-Nahda. Travel time (regardless of the carrier) is four hours. From Aqaba you can get to the city of Irbid, as well as to Nuweiba (Egypt). A total of eleven flights depart from Amman to the southern resort: five - the state company and six - private. You can move around Aqaba in a taxi (they are yellow) or in minibus minibuses. Stop in the last - at the request of the passenger, anywhere in the route. About the fare in a taxi should be negotiated with the driver in advance.
What is unique about the climate of this sea resort?The mountains protect it from the north, not only from cold winds, but from the breath of the desert. Therefore, the climate here is not similar to the arid and full of temperature contrasts, the weather Jordan is famous for. Aqaba is attractive because you can swim and sunbathe all year round, even in winter. The temperature of the water in the bay never falls below a mark of +22 degrees, which makes it possible to develop corals. But we'll talk about them later. In the meantime, it should be mentioned that there is no temperature extremity in the summer in Aqaba either. The heat begins to strangle the city only in the afternoon hours. Of course, the heart and hypertensive patients should prefer a winter holiday in the resort of Jordan. Peak season is observed twice a year: in spring and autumn. It is in the off-season that the weather is comfortable in every way. If you are most attracted by bathing in the Red Sea, then choose for the trip autumn. The average water temperature fluctuates around + 27 degrees.
Hotels in Aqaba have their own specifics.They rarely find the program "All inclusive." It's not Egypt, it's Jordan. "Aqaba Radisson Blu Tala Bay Resort 5", "Intercontinental", "Movenpick" and other fashionable resort hotels offer their guests only included in the price of a continental breakfast in the buffet mode. About where to dine, have dinner or just have a bite - read below. In Aqaba, there is no shortage of budget hotels. They do not impress the imagination with eastern luxury and stucco in the rooms, but a clean room and a hearty breakfast are guaranteed to you. For a view of the sea here, as in other resorts, will have to pay in addition. But there is one nuance that should be taken into account by summer tourists. The sea in Aqaba is located in the south. Therefore, in such expensive rooms will be a whole day mercilessly shine the sun, and from the heat will not save any air conditioning.
The huge hotel base gives an opportunityeveryone to choose accommodation to taste. The Kempinski Hotel is probably the most expensive. The night in the standard room at this hotel will cost eleven thousand rubles. On average, the "five" ("Movenpik", "Double Three Bai Hilton", "Marina Plaza Tala Bay" and others) offer accommodation for six to seven thousand rubles a day. An excellent option, where the perfect value for money, is the Aqaba hotel with four stars. This is the "Daze Inn Hotel and Suites" (from 4,660 rubles.), "Golden Tulip" (3,700), "Jaafko" (3,600) and others. At the resort you can stay in budget hotels, which, naturally, are not on the first line from the sea. As an example, you can specify "Plaza Masvada" (2 800 rubles). Aqaba is a city in Jordan, declared a duty-free zone. This feature of the resort allows not only to make inexpensive purchases, but also to buy cheap cigars and alcohol. The choice of these goods in the city is really wide.
What is a sin to conceal - basically go to the resortsunbath and buy. Beaches of Aqaba are sandy and pebbly-stony. The first are located in the northern part of the city, and the latter - in the southern part. The lion's share of the beaches is fully owned by the hotels on the first line. There are quite comfortable coasts belonging to the municipality. The entrance is free of charge, and ammunition (umbrellas, sun beds and deck chairs) can be rented. Aqaba is a city in Jordan, where municipal beaches are well-equipped. There is a shower, a toilet, lifeguards are on duty, there is a cafe, sometimes right on the beach. If you are not an Islamophobe and you do not hate the community of local people, you will have a good time on such a beach. If not - for a small bribe you will be allowed on the coast, belonging to some hotel. You will not find anything particularly chic there. Just in a cafe and bar on the beach, prices will be much higher. The Red Sea is wonderful here. The water is very clean, with excellent visibility. Outflows are not too pronounced. In the south, coral reefs are close to the shore.
The resort has six training centersUnderwater swimming, and they give diplomas BS-AC, SSI or PADI. Near the shore there are about thirty dive sites. And this is attractive for those who like to dive with aqualungs Jordan (Aqaba).
What is the sea off the coast?Between April and May, when plankton blossoms, the visibility under the water decreases to twelve meters. But if you come to Aqaba in the summer months, then the transparency of the sea reaches 50 m. Many coral reefs in the south of the city come so close to the shore that there is no need to hire a boat. Admire the beauty of the underwater world can be light - only with a tube and mask. But if you want to do diving seriously, there is nothing better than to come to The Royal Diving Center. This center has its own sandy beach. Beginners will bring the matter to the Sea Star Dive Center. This school is located in the hotel Al-Kazar.
Mysterious Peter, Wadi Rum desert, placethe baptism of Jesus Christ - all this is the country of Jordan. Aqaba is a young resort. But he developed from a very ancient settlement, which is not less than six thousand years old. First there lived the Edomites and the Nabataeans. Then the city was part of the Roman Empire. In the Middle Ages, the path of pilgrims to Mecca went through it. Romans, Byzantines, Crusaders, Ottoman Turks - all left a cultural trace behind themselves. Here are the ruins of the most ancient Christian church in the world. The ancient city stood on a rocky promontory, which is now called the hill of Tell al-Khalifa. There you can see artifacts extracted during archaeological excavations. During the Crusades, a military fort was built by European knights. It was maintained in "working order" for centuries, and therefore the fortress of Mamluk reached our days. Next to this citadel is a historical museum.
In the vicinity of the resort there is the cave of Lot.According to the biblical tradition, it was from here that the righteous with his daughters observed the death of Sodom and Gomorrah. In the cave of Lot you can see the Byzantine church, decorated with mosaics and several ancient tombs. Reviews recommend to visit and Wadi Mujib - the gorge, declared a national park. The extreme southern position of the resort will not prevent you from getting to know a country called Jordan. Excursions from Aqaba to Petra ($ 170 from the group), Amman ($ 50), to hot springs, the Wadi Rum desert or to the holy places where Christ showed himself to the people last only one light-day. The border position of the resort makes possible outings to the near abroad - to Israel (Eilat, the Dead Sea, Jerusalem), to the island of Pharaohs (Egypt).
Travelers warn of regionalfeatures of recreation, which offers Jordan. Aqaba, reviews about which are always admired, is designed for tourists who love active pastime. Do not be afraid to have dinner or dinner on the streets of the city. The resort is full of cafes and restaurants, both with local flavor and cuisine, and quite European. There is even a real Italian pizzeria and a few fast food outlets. What of the local dishes is included in the list of "mast-trai" (need to try)? First of all, traditional falafel, hummus and mansaf. A flat cake will be served for the meal - ragif. Of the amazing Arab desserts, tourists recommend to try kataf, sesame biscuits and pistachio baklava. Coffee with cardamom and delicious ice cream will be a worthy end to the meal. Prices in public places in Aqaba are close to European. Dinner at the restaurant will cost twenty dollars per person, in a cafe - ten. But lunch in fast food can be obtained for only 3-5 dollars.
