Aqaba Digital Nomad Guide - Tips & Local Information
NATURE AND OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
| Topic |
Details |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints |
View from the top of the Ayla Development hills |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations |
Aqaba Bird Observatory (Wetland area near Eilat border) |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots |
South Beach Bedouin Camps |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths |
King Hussein Street Corniche |
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes |
Wadi Rum Desert (1 hour away) - UNESCO World Heritage site |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby |
Aqaba Marine Park (South Beach) |
OTHER SERVICES AND AMENITIES
| Topic |
Details |
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service |
Aramex (Ash-Sharif Shakir Bin Zayd St) |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services |
Computer Care (City Center) |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots |
Various luxury resorts like Hyatt Regency Ayla |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes |
Lughati Arabic Center (Online/Hybrid) |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots |
Princess Basma Center Library |
| 🏘️ Community Centers |
Yarmouk Cultural Center |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges |
Cyber Net Cafe (Near Al-Hammad St) |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls |
Not available (Gambling is illegal in Jordan) |
BUSINESS
| Topic |
Details |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) |
Approx. JOD 1,100 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = JOD 44,000) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) |
Approx. JOD 800 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = JOD 32,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) |
Approx. JOD 1,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = JOD 60,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) |
Approx. JOD 750 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = JOD 45,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) |
Approx. JOD 950 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = JOD 76,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) |
Approx. JOD 700 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = JOD 56,000) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax |
5% (Aqaba Special Economic Zone favored rate) |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax |
0% for ASEZA registered companies |
| 🏦 Tax System |
Territorial/Resident basis; ASEZA has special status |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket |
30% (Personal income) |
| 🧾 VAT |
7% Sales Tax (Specific to Aqaba Zone; lower than Jordan's 16%) |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules |
No strict CFC rules currently |
| 🏠 Property Tax |
Yes, but often exempted for first-time buyers or in ASEZA |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax |
9% (Usually split between buyer and seller) |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads |
Tax-free zone benefits; no income tax on foreign-sourced income if structured via ASEZA |
ESSENTIALS
| Topic |
Details |
| 🏙️ City |
Aqaba, Aqaba Governorate, Jordan |
| 👥 Population |
150,000 |
| 💻 Internet Speed |
Average 40-60 Mbps on Fiber; 4G/5G widely available via Zain |
| 💸 Currency & Banking |
1 JOD ≈ 1.41 USD / 1 USD ≈ 0.71 JOD (Pegged) |
| 🚰 Tap Water |
Not recommended for drinking; buy 18L bottles for ~2 JOD |
| 🔌 Power |
230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type G (British) and Type C/D/F |
| 📶 SIM Card |
Zain, Orange, or Umniah. Zain E-SIM 50GB for ~15 JOD |
| 💳 Banking for Expats |
Arab Bank, Jordan Kuwait Bank; Revolut works for withdrawals |
| 🛌 Accommodation |
Modern apartments in Tala Bay or serviced studios in the City Center |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly |
Moderate; major hotels and supermarkets accept cards, local souks need cash |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals |
Airbnb, Booking.com; prices range $40-$120/night |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation |
Hakaia Community Hostel (~12 JOD/night), Al-Amana Hotel |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists |
South Beach for diving; Tala Bay for luxury resorts |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads |
Aqaba Gateway/City Center for proximity to cafes and fiber internet |
WORKING AND NETWORKING
| Topic |
Details |
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space |
Seven Wonders Coworking (Near Al-Sharif Hussein Bin Ali Mosque) - ~10 JOD/day |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work |
Gloria Jean's Coffees (Aqaba Gateway) - Reliable Wi-Fi and power outlets |
| 💼 Networking Events |
USAID Jordan Economic Reform gatherings; occasional tech meetups at Aqaba Special Economic Zone (ASEZA) |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats |
Daily sunset meetups at Berenice Beach Club; 'Expats in Jordan' Facebook Group |
TRANSPORTATION
| Topic |
Details |
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App |
Careem (Uber is less reliable here); typical city ride 1.5 - 3 JOD |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental |
Aqaba Cycling (Near Corniche) - ~5 JOD per hour |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby |
South Beach (15 mins south) - Free public access, world-class snorkeling |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline |
Royal Jordanian (Connects to Amman) |
| ✈️ Top International Airline |
Ryanair, EasyJet, Turkish Airlines (King Hussein Intl Airport - AQJ) |
| 🛣️ Highway Access |
Desert Highway (Route 15) to Amman; Dead Sea Highway (Route 65) |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub |
JETT Bus Station (King Hussein St) for intercity travel |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes |
No formal digital pass; pay-as-you-go white 'Service' taxis (0.50 JOD) |
| ✈️ Regional Travel |
JETT Bus to Amman (2-3 hours, 10 JOD); Ferry to Nuweiba, Egypt |
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
| Topic |
Details |
| 🏥 Best Hospital |
Modern Medical Center or Prince Hashem Military Hospital |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers |
Mövenpick Resort Wellness Center; private sessions at Talabay |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers |
Oxygen Gym (An-Nahda St) - ~40 JOD/month |
| 🧺 Laundry Services |
Cloud 9 Laundry (City Center) - ~5 JOD per load |
FOOD AND DRINK
| Topic |
Details |
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App |
Talabat (Widely used in Aqaba) |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try |
Sayadieh (Fisherman's spiced rice and fish) - Try it at Al-Shami |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options |
Hashem Son's (Hummus/Falafel); Papaya Restaurant |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots |
Anabtawi Sweets (For Kunafa) - ~2 JOD per portion |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots |
Aqaba Vegetable & Fruit Market (Souk area) |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store |
OpenSooq, Amazon.ae (International shipping) |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery |
Carrefour Jordan App |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area |
Ayla Marina Village or Royal Yacht Club (Alcohol is tax-free in Aqaba) |
| 🍻 Local Brewery |
Carakale (Amman-based, but served at Rover's Return Aqaba) |
| 🍷 Wine Bars |
The Black Pearl (Tala Bay) |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls |
Falafel Al-Ekhlass - 0.50 JOD sandwiches |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine |
Casalingo (Italian) at Mövenpick Resort |
CULTURE AND ATTRACTIONS
| Topic |
Details |
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks |
Aqaba Fort (Mamluk Castle) and the Giant Flagpole |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues |
Aqaba Archaeological Museum |
| 🏰 Historical Sites |
Ayla Old City (Early Islamic ruins) |
| 🕍 Religious Sites |
Sharif Hussein bin Ali Mosque |
| 🎉 Annual Events |
Aqaba Traditional Arts Festival (February/March) |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts |
The Old Town (Souk area) |
| 🎭 Theater Venues |
Great Arab Revolt Plaza (Outdoor performances) |
| 🛍️ Local Markets |
Friday Market (Souk Al-Juma'a) |
| 🎼 Music Scene |
Live Bedouin music at Wadi Rum camps (nearby) |
| 🎨 Street Art |
Murals near the Downtown arts initiative |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes |
Aqaba Kitchen (Local home-cooking experiences) |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries |
Arts of Jordan Gallery |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings |
House of Sharif Hussein bin Ali |
| 🏴 Local Heritage |
Maritime heritage and coral reef conservation |
🧭 CONTINUE EXPLORING AQABA