Essentials
- City
- Jerash (Gerasa), Jerash Governorate, Jordan
- Population
- Approximately 50,000 (City), 240,000 (Governorate)
- Internet Speed
- 4G/LTE is stable (avg. 25-40 Mbps); Fiber is limited in residential areas but available in modern apartments (up to 100 Mbps)
- Currency & Banking
- 1 JOD ≈ 1.41 USD / 1 USD ≈ 0.71 JOD (Fixed Peg)
- Tap Water
- Not drinkable; 1.5L bottled water costs approx. 0.35 JOD ($0.50)
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C, D, F, G, and J (Type G/British style is most common)
- SIM Card
- Zain, Orange, and Umniah; Zain offers the best coverage in Jerash (20GB for approx. 12 JOD / $17)
- Banking for Expats
- Arab Bank and Housing Bank (HDYK) have branches in city center; Visa/Mastercard accepted in larger hotels/restaurants
- Accommodation
- Mainly guesthouses and Airbnb; Monthly rentals found via Facebook Marketplace or 'OpenSooq'
- Cashless Friendly
- Cash-heavy; Small shops and taxis strictly require JOD cash
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb (approx. $40-$70/night) or Hadrian's Guest House
- Budget Accommodation
- The Blue House Jerash (approx. 20 JOD / $28 per night)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- City Center (near the South Gate/Archaeological Park) for walking access to ruins
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Al-Kairawan area; quieter residential streets with better apartment modernities and proximity to the Roman Ruins
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- None dedicated; most nomads use 'The Olive Branch Resort' lobby for quiet work and views
- Best Cafe for Work
- Lebnani Snack (Outdoor seating with decent 4G signal) or Artemis Restaurant (large tables, off-peak hours only)
- Networking Events
- Informal meetups at the 'Jerash Festival of Culture and Arts' (held annually in summer)
- Social Events for Expats
- Mostly centered in Amman (50 mins away); check 'Expats in Jordan' Facebook group
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Uber and Careem (Available, but cars often come from Amman; local yellow taxis are more common, approx. 1-2 JOD for local trips)
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Not widely available due to hilly terrain and narrow streets
- Best Beach Nearby
- Dead Sea (approx. 1 hour 15 mins drive via Amman/Na'ur)
- Top Regional Airline
- Royal Jordanian (flights from Queen Alia International Airport, AMM)
- Top International Airline
- Turkish Airlines, Emirates, Ryanair (low-cost to/from Europe)
- Highway Access
- Route 15 (Desert Highway) and Route 35 (King's Highway) connect Jerash to Amman and Irbid
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Jerash Central Bus Terminal (Services to Amman North Bus Station / Tabarbour)
- Public Transport Passes
- No digital passes; Coaster buses (small white buses) cost approx. 1.00 JOD to Amman
- Regional Travel
- JETT Bus (Tourist bus) operates daily routes between Amman and Jerash ruins
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Jerash Governmental Hospital (Public) or nearby private clinics in Irbid/Amman for major procedures
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Mountain Breeze Resort (located 20km away in Salt/Jerash border, offers nature wellness)
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Oxygen Gym Jerash (approx. 25 JOD/month for local membership)
- Laundry Services
- Local 'Dry Clean' shops in the city center market, approx. 0.50 JOD per shirt
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Talabat (limited coverage compared to Amman, mainly local fast food)
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Mansaf (Lamb cooked in fermented dried yogurt Jameed); try it at Jerash Rest House
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Beit Khairat Souf (Local social enterprise cafe in Souf village nearby, excellent vegetarian mezzes)
- Best Dessert Spots
- Local bakeries selling Kunafa (approx. 1.50 JOD per portion) in the central Souq
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Jerash Local Market (Souq) for fresh produce and spices
- E-commerce/Online Store
- OpenSooq (Local classifieds) and Amazon.ae (requires international shipping)
- Grocery Delivery
- Local grocery stores via WhatsApp; no major specialized delivery apps like Instacart
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- None in Jerash (Conservative city); restricted to high-end hotel bars like The Olive Branch
- Local Brewery
- Carakale (Located in Fuheis, 45 mins away; not in Jerash)
- Wine Bars
- None; wine can be purchased at liquor stores in Amman or select hotels
- Street Food Stalls
- Falafel and Shawarma stands near the Roman ruins; 1 Falafel sandwich approx. 0.60 JOD
- Popular International Cuisine
- Mainly Arabic/Levantine; Panora Jerash offers some continental options
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Hadrian's Arch, Oval Plaza, Temple of Artemis
- Museums & Art Venues
- Jerash Archaeological Museum (Inside the ruins site)
- Historical Sites
- The Hippodrome (Ancient Roman chariot racing stadium)
- Religious Sites
- Byzantine Churches with mosaic floors within the Archaeological Park; King Abdullah I Mosque
- Annual Events
- Jerash Festival for Culture and Arts (July/August)
- Cultural Districts
- The Old Souq (East of the ruins)
- Theater Venues
- The South Theater (accommodates 3,000 people, still used for performances)
- Local Markets
- The Handicraft Souq located near the South Gate entry
- Music Scene
- Traditional Arabic music during the Jerash Festival
- Street Art
- Limited; mostly traditional motifs in the tourist bazaar
- Cooking Classes
- Beit Khairat Souf offers traditional Jordanian cooking workshops
- Art Galleries
- Small workshops in the Artisan's Village near the Visitor Center
- Historic Buildings
- Nymphaeum (Roman fountain)
- Local Heritage
- Olive oil production (visit a local press during the harvest in October/November)
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Dibbeen Forest Reserve (Pine and oak forests, 10km away)
- National Parks Nearby
- Ajloun Forest Reserve (approx. 30 mins drive)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Walking the 4km perimeter of the Roman city walls
- Scenic Viewpoints
- The Temple of Zeus overlooking the Oval Plaza
- Birdwatching Locations
- Dibbeen Forest Reserve
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Designated picnic areas in Dibbeen Forest (popular with locals on Fridays)
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Jordan Post (near City Center); Aramex (Office in Amman handles regional dispatch)
- Tech Repair Services
- Small mobile repair shops on King Abdullah Street
- Table Tennis Spots
- Local youth clubs (Nadi Jerash)
- Language Classes
- Language studies are usually done in Amman (Qasid Institute or Ahlan Jordan)
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Jerash Public Library
- Community Centers
- Princess Basma Community Development Center
- Gaming Lounges
- Local PlayStation/PC cafes in the commercial district
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Illegal in Jordan
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 600 JOD per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 24,000 JOD / $34,000)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 450 JOD per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 18,000 JOD / $25,500)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 550 JOD per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 33,000 JOD / $46,500)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 400 JOD per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 24,000 JOD / $34,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 500 JOD per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 40,000 JOD / $56,400)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 350 JOD per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 28,000 JOD / $39,500)
- Corporate Tax
- 20% (Standard rate for most sectors in Jordan)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 0% (Generally dividends from resident companies are exempt)
- Tax System
- Territorial/Residency-based; residents taxed on income earned in Jordan
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 30% (For income exceeding 1,000,000 JOD)
- VAT
- 16% (Sales Tax)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- No specific CFC rules, but anti-avoidance measures exist
- Property Tax
- Estimated annual tax based on clear rental value (approx. 15% of annual rental value)
- Property Transaction Tax
- Registration fee approx. 9% (often reduced to 4.5% during government stimulus periods)
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- No specific Nomad visa yet; however, individuals working for foreign companies are generally not taxed on foreign income while in Jordan