Essentials
- City
- Jericho (Ariha), Jericho Governorate, West Bank, Palestine
- Population
- 23,000 (City), approx. 55,000 (Metropolitan area)
- Internet Speed
- Average 40-60 Mbps; Fiber optics recently expanded via companies like Mada and Hadara
- Currency & Banking
- 1 USD ≈ 3.65 ILS (Israeli New Shekel), 1 EUR ≈ 3.95 ILS. Jordanian Dinars (JOD) also widely used for large transactions.
- Tap Water
- Not recommended for drinking; buy 18L mineral water bottles for approx. 15 ILS
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/H sockets (H is the local 3-pin standard)
- SIM Card
- Jawwal or Ooredoo (approx. 60 ILS for 20GB). Israeli SIMs (Cellcom/Partner) often used for better 4G/5G coverage.
- Banking for Expats
- Bank of Palestine, Arab Bank; ATMs available but high fees for international cards. Revolut works at some POS.
- Accommodation
- Villas with pools are common; booking.com and local Facebook groups ('Apartments for rent in Jericho') are best.
- Cashless Friendly
- Limited; cash is king. Only upscale hotels and large supermarkets like Bravo accept cards.
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb and local 'Chalets' (e.g., Jericho Terrace, approx. $150/night for full villa)
- Budget Accommodation
- Sami Hostel (Ein Sultan Street) - approx. $25/night for a dorm or basic private room
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- City Center or near Hisham's Palace for easy access to historical sites
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Al-Rawdah Area - quieter, upscale residential neighborhood with better modern apartment options
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Station J (Jericho Hub branch) - modern facility offering desks and stable power
- Best Cafe for Work
- Abo Al-Ezz Cafe (Al-Quds St) - spacious, reliable Wi-Fi, and excellent Arabic coffee
- Networking Events
- Startup events hosted by PalTel or local agricultural tech incubators in Jericho's Industrial Zone
- Social Events for Expats
- Monthly meetups at the Mount of Temptation Restaurant or Jericho Resort Village
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Careem (available but limited); otherwise, use 'Service' (Yellow Shared Taxis) for fixed routes for 5-10 ILS
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Local rentals available at the entrance of the city near the main square; approx. 40 ILS per day
- Best Beach Nearby
- Kalia Beach (Dead Sea) - 15 mins drive, entry approx. 60 ILS
- Top Regional Airline
- Royal Jordanian (operates via Queen Alia International Airport, Amman)
- Top International Airline
- Lufthansa, Turkish Airlines (via Amman or Tel Aviv Ben Gurion)
- Highway Access
- Highway 90 (North-South) and Highway 1 (connecting to Jerusalem/Ramallah)
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Jericho Central Bus/Taxi Station (City Center)
- Public Transport Passes
- No digital passes; pay individual 'Service' fares in cash
- Regional Travel
- Yellow taxis to Ramallah (25 ILS, 45 mins) or King Hussein Bridge for Jordan crossing
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Jericho Governmental Hospital (Ariha Hospital), Jerusalem Street
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Jericho Resort Village - offers spa facilities and quiet garden spaces for meditation
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Oxygen Gym (City Center) - well-equipped, approx. 150 ILS/month membership
- Laundry Services
- Clean City Laundry (near Municipality buildings) - approx. 15 ILS per load
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Indigo or Tajaly - local delivery services for Jericho restaurants
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Zarb (Bedouin style meat cooked in underground oven) at Abu Fawaz Restaurant
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Garden Restaurant - provides excellent Mezze, Hummus, and seasonal vegetable stews
- Best Dessert Spots
- Salloum Sweets - famous for Knafeh and Jericho dates (Medjool)
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Jericho Central Market (Souq) for fresh produce and Medjool dates
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Bazzar.ps or specialized Facebook marketing pages
- Grocery Delivery
- Bravo Supermarket App - delivery to most central Jericho locations
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Jericho is conservative; alcohol is primarily served in private resorts like Jericho Resort Village
- Local Brewery
- Taybeh Brewing Company (located 30 mins away in Taybeh village, widely served in Jericho hotels)
- Wine Bars
- Saint George's Monastery wine cellar (nearby Wadi Qelt)
- Street Food Stalls
- Al-Istiklal Park area for Falafel sandwiches and grilled corn (approx. 10 ILS)
- Popular International Cuisine
- InterContinental Jericho - offers upscale Italian and Continental menus
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Hisham's Palace (famous for the 'Tree of Life' mosaic) and Tel es-Sultan (Ancient Jericho)
- Museums & Art Venues
- The Russian Museum and Park in Jericho - historical and religious artifacts
- Historical Sites
- Sycamore Tree of Zacchaeus and the UNESCO listed Ancient Jericho mounds
- Religious Sites
- Monastery of the Temptation (accessible via cable car, 60 ILS return trip)
- Annual Events
- Jericho Cultural Festival (usually October) featuring traditional Dabke dance
- Cultural Districts
- Ein Sultan Refugee Camp - area known for historical resilience and vibrant street life
- Theater Venues
- Jericho Municipality Theater (intermittent cultural performances)
- Local Markets
- The Date Markets near the city entrance - source of the world's best Medjool dates
- Music Scene
- Traditional oud performances at garden restaurants during weekend nights (Thursday/Friday)
- Street Art
- Murals near the city walls depicting Palestinian heritage and the '10,000 years of history' theme
- Cooking Classes
- Sebastia Cultural Center (nearby group tours often organize Jericho-specific classes)
- Art Galleries
- Mosaic Centre Jericho - see artisans creating mosaics and buy authentic pieces
- Historic Buildings
- The Old Serail (Ottoman era administrative building)
- Local Heritage
- The culture of 'Al-Arihi' (the people of Jericho), distinguished by heritage agriculture (bananas/dates)
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Wadi Qelt - stunning canyon with hiking trails and the St. George Monastery
- National Parks Nearby
- Qumran National Park (15 mins drive south) - site of the Dead Sea Scrolls
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Elisha's Spring path - flat routes around the agricultural outskirts
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Top of the Mount of Temptation - panoramic views of the Jordan Valley and Dead Sea
- Birdwatching Locations
- Jericho Oasis - stopover for migratory birds between Africa and Europe
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Designated desert camping spots in the Nebi Musa area (approx. 10km outside city)
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Aramex Jericho Office or Palestine Post (Central Branch)
- Tech Repair Services
- Electro-City (Main Street) for laptop and smartphone repairs
- Table Tennis Spots
- Jericho Sports Club - open to the public for a small fee
- Language Classes
- Excellence Center (Hebron/Remote) or local tutors found via Jericho Municipality cultural office
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Jericho Public Library (Municipality Building) - quiet but limited hours
- Community Centers
- YMCA Jericho - offers community activities, sports, and a pool
- Gaming Lounges
- PlayStation Hub (near the Square) - popular with local youth
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- The Oasis Casino (Currently closed to the public; historic landmark status)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $1,200 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $48,000)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $900 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $36,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $1,100 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $66,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $850 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $51,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $1,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $80,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $800 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $64,000)
- Corporate Tax
- 15% (Standard rate in the Palestinian Authority)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 0% (Currently no withholding tax on dividends in Palestine)
- Tax System
- Territorial/Personal income basis (Income earned within Palestine)
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 15%
- VAT
- 16% (Aligned with the Israeli VAT system per Paris Protocol)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- No
- Property Tax
- Yes, annual tax based on 17% of the estimated rental value of the property
- Property Transaction Tax
- 1% Registration fee plus 0.5% stamp duty
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- High (Low personal income tax and no specific nomad visa tax, though political status is complex)