Business
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 350 JOD per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 14,000 JOD)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 400 JOD per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 24,000 JOD)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 300 JOD per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 18,000 JOD)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 380 JOD per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 30,400 JOD)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 280 JOD per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 22,400 JOD)
- Corporate Tax
- Standard 20% (varies by sector, banks pay more).
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- Typically 0% for individuals in most cases, but subject to specific corporate scenarios.
- Tax System
- Territorial residency basis; income earned in Jordan is taxed.
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 30% for income exceeding 1,000,000 JOD; 25% for standard high earners.
- VAT
- 16% General Sales Tax (GST).
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- No specific CFC rules like in the EU, but anti-avoidance measures exist.
- Property Tax
- Annual 'Musaqafat' tax based on the rental value of the property.
- Property Transaction Tax
- Approx. 9% (currently often reduced by government incentives to 4.5%).
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Jordan does not currently offer a specific Digital Nomad visa with 0% tax.
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 450 JOD per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 18,000 JOD)
Transportation
- Regional Travel
- White 'service' taxis or minibuses are the primary mode of intercity travel.
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Uber and Careem operate mainly in Amman; in Kerak, use local yellow taxis (1-3 JOD within the city).
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Not available due to extremely hilly terrain.
- Best Beach Nearby
- Dead Sea (Mazra'a area), approximately 45 minutes drive west.
- Top Regional Airline
- Royal Jordanian (flying out of Amman Queen Alia Intl Airport, 1.5 hours away).
- Top International Airline
- Ryanair and Wizz Air (budget flights to Europe from Amman).
- Highway Access
- Connected via the Kings Highway (scenic) and the Desert Highway (fast route to Amman/Aqaba).
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Karak Bus Station (Mujamma' al-Karak) for minibuses to Amman and Ma'an.
- Public Transport Passes
- No formal pass system; pay cash to the bus driver (approx. 2-3 JOD to Amman).
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Karak Government Hospital or Prince Ali Bin Al-Hussein Military Hospital.
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- None. Wellness is generally found in private hotel spas at the Dead Sea (45 mins away).
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Power House Gym near the city gate (approx. 20 JOD monthly membership).
- Laundry Services
- Local dry cleaners in the Old City market area (approx 0.50 JOD per shirt).
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Talabat (limited availability; many locals call restaurants directly).
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Mansaf (the national dish). Best at 'Adel Al-Sarayrah' for an authentic local experience.
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Falafel and Hummus are staples. 'Al-Qala'a Restaurant' offers great mezze.
- Best Dessert Spots
- Local bakeries selling Kunafa and Baklava near the bus station.
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- The Al-Karak Souq (Traditional Market) for spices, grains, and produce.
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Amazon.ae (ships to Jordan) or OpenSooq for local classifieds.
- Grocery Delivery
- Mostly local 'mini-markets'; no major delivery apps like Instacart.
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Kerak is conservative; no public bars. Alcohol is mainly found in private homes or Dead Sea resorts.
- Local Brewery
- None (Carakale is the Jordanian craft beer, brewed in Fuheis near Amman).
- Wine Bars
- None available locally.
- Street Food Stalls
- Shawarma stalls near the castle entrance (approx 1.50 - 2.50 JOD).
- Popular International Cuisine
- Limited; mostly pizza shops and fried chicken 'broasted' outlets.
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Kerak Castle (Crusader fortress), entrance 3 JOD (free with Jordan Pass).
- Museums & Art Venues
- Karak Archaeological Museum (located inside the castle).
- Historical Sites
- Mazar Martyrs Shrine (in nearby Al-Mazar al-Janubi).
- Religious Sites
- Al-Omari Mosque and various historic Byzantine church ruins.
- Annual Events
- Karak Cultural Festival (summer months, dates vary).
- Cultural Districts
- The Old City within the fortress walls.
- Theater Venues
- Karak Cultural Center occasionally hosts local plays.
- Local Markets
- Wednesday Market (Souq al-Arbi'a) for traditional goods.
- Music Scene
- Traditional Bedouin music and Rababa performances during local weddings.
- Street Art
- Limited; some historic murals near the city center renovation project.
- Cooking Classes
- Informal classes can be arranged via guesthouses like 'Beit Al-Karak'.
- Art Galleries
- Small exhibitions at the local university or cultural center.
- Historic Buildings
- Italian Hospital building and the Ottoman-era Government House.
- Local Heritage
- Famous for its history of tribal resistance and hospitality.
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Wadi Bin Hammad (stunning slot canyon and hot springs), 30 mins drive.
- National Parks Nearby
- Dana Biosphere Reserve (approx. 1 hour south).
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Hiking trails around Wadi Mujib (Kings Highway entrance).
- Scenic Viewpoints
- The 'Castle Viewpoint' on the opposite hill for sunset shots of the fortress.
- Birdwatching Locations
- The Mujib Dam area during migration seasons.
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Camping areas in Wadi Ibn Hammad.
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Jordan Post (near the city center) or Aramex.
- Tech Repair Services
- Numerous small mobile shops in the Al-Thallaja district.
- Table Tennis Spots
- Local youth clubs (Nadi Al-Karak).
- Language Classes
- Arabic for foreigners is available via private tutors from Mutah University.
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Mutah University Library (largest in the region).
- Community Centers
- Karak Castle Center for Training and Development.
- Gaming Lounges
- PC Gaming centers located near the University area.
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- None (Gambling is illegal in Jordan).
Essentials
- City
- Kerak (Al-Karak), Karak Governorate, Jordan
- Population
- Approximately 32,000 (city), 350,000 (governorate)
- Internet Speed
- Average 40-60 Mbps on fiber; 4G LTE is reliable through Zain and Orange.
- Currency & Banking
- Jordanian Dinar (JOD). 1 JOD ≈ 1.41 USD. Fixed peg to the US Dollar.
- Tap Water
- Not recommended for drinking. Use bottled water (0.35 JOD for 1.5L) or filtered dispensers.
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz. Plug types C, D, F, G, and J are used; Type G (UK style) is most common.
- SIM Card
- Zain, Orange, and Umniah. A 20GB monthly data plan costs roughly 12-15 JOD.
- Banking for Expats
- Arab Bank and Housing Bank (HBTF) are most common. ATMs are available near the Castle and city center.
- Accommodation
- Mostly traditional guesthouses and local apartments. Very few Western-style hotels.
- Cashless Friendly
- Low. Cash is essential for local shops and taxis. Cards accepted only in larger hotels.
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb options are limited; local guesthouses like Cairwan Hotel are common (approx. 25-40 JOD/night).
- Budget Accommodation
- Castle Hotel or Al-Mujeb Hotel (approx. 15-25 JOD per night).
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- The Old City (near Kerak Castle) for walking access to historical sites.
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Al-Thallaja or areas near Mutah University (15 mins south) for better apartment infrastructure and services.
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- None officially. Digital nomads use 'The Hub' or university-adjacent study spaces in Mutah.
- Best Cafe for Work
- Old Castle Restaurant & Cafe (offers views of the castle and decent Wi-Fi).
- Networking Events
- Limited to academic seminars at Mutah University or community events at the Karak Cultural Center.
- Social Events for Expats
- Informal gatherings at guesthouses; most expats are researchers or NGO workers.