Daily costs per person in US dollars. Aqaba is excellent value — the duty-free zone keeps prices low, local food is cheap and delicious, and world-class diving costs a fraction of comparable Red Sea destinations.
Daily cost breakdown
Currency: JOD (Dinar) (1 JOD ≈ 1.41 USD. Cards at hotels, cash elsewhere)
| Category | Budget | Mid-range | Splurge | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $15–25 | $35–70 | $100+ | Budget hotel → mid-range hotel → beach resort |
| Food | $8–15 | $18–30 | $45+ | Street food → local restaurant → waterfront dining |
| Transport | $3–7 | $10–20 | $30+ | Shared minibus → taxi → private car |
| Activities | $10–25 | $40–70 | $100+ | Shore snorkelling → diving/boat trip → multi-dive package |
| Extras | $3–8 | $10–15 | $25+ | Shisha & coffee → souvenirs → duty-free shopping |
| Daily Total | $30–50 | $80–150 | $250+ | Budget traveller → comfortable mid → resort luxury |
Money-saving tips
Get the Jordan Pass
The Jordan Pass (70 JOD / $99 for Wanderer tier) includes your visa fee, entry to Petra, Wadi Rum, Jerash, and 40+ sites. It pays for itself if you visit Petra alone (50 JOD entry) plus saves the 40 JOD visa fee.
Eat at local restaurants
A falafel sandwich costs 0.50 JOD ($0.71) from street vendors, a full meal of mansaf or grilled chicken with rice is 3–5 JOD ($4–7) at local restaurants. Tourist restaurants charge 3–4x these prices for the same food.
Stay at budget hotels
Aqaba has clean budget hotels from 15–25 JOD ($21–35) per night for a double room with A/C. The Al-Amer and Al-Shula hotels near the souk are solid budget choices with hot showers and WiFi.
Snorkel from shore
The best coral reefs are accessible by wading in from South Beach — you only need a mask and snorkel (5 JOD rental). Boat snorkelling trips charge 20–30 JOD for the same reefs you can reach for free.
Share taxis to Wadi Rum
A private taxi to Wadi Rum costs 25–30 JOD, but shared minibuses from Aqaba run for 5–7 JOD per person. Ask at your hotel to connect with other travellers heading the same way to split costs.
Buy from supermarkets
Safeway and C-Town supermarkets in Aqaba sell water (0.25 JOD for 1.5L), snacks, fruit, and bread at local prices — far cheaper than hotel minibar or tourist-area kiosks.
