The Dead Sea

Without doubt, the world’s most amazing place, the Jordan Rift Valley is a dramatic, beautiful landscape, which at the Dead Sea, is over 400 metres (1,312 ft.) below sea level. The lowest point on the face of the earth, this vast, stretch of water receives a number of incoming rivers, including the River Jordan. Once the waters reach the Dead Sea they are land-locked and have nowhere to go, so they evaporate, leaving behind a dense, rich, cocktail of salts and minerals that supply industry, agriculture and medicine with some of its finest products.

The Dead Sea is flanked by mountains to the east and the rolling hills of Jerusalem to the west, giving it an almost other-worldly beauty. Although sparsely populated and serenely quiet now, the area is believed to have been home to five Biblical cities: Sodom, Gomorrah, Adman, Zebouin and Zoar.

Tips
If you are planning to combine a visit to the Dead Sea with a diving trip to Aqaba during your stay in Jordan, do the Dead Sea experience first. If you do it the other way around, the small cuts or grazes you may pick up from the coral reefs will soon let you know why this is the better option!    
 

Health & Wellbeing Spa at the Dead Sea.
One of the most spectacular natural and spiritual landscapes in the world, the Jordanian east coast of the Dead Sea has evolved into a major hub of both religious and health & wellness tourism in the region. A series of good roads, excellent hotels with spa and fitness facilities, as well as archaeological and spiritual discoveries make this region as enticing to today’s international visitors as it was to kings, emperors, traders, prophets and pilgrims in antiquity.

Unusually high salt content enables one to float effortlessly. The leading attraction at the Dead Sea is the warm, soothing, super salty water itself – some ten times saltier than sea water, and rich in chloride salts of magnesium, sodium, potassium, bromine and several others. The unusually warm, incredibly buoyant and mineral-rich waters have attracted visitors since ancient times, including King Herod the Great and the beautiful Egyptian Queen, Cleopatra. All of whom have luxuriated in the Dead Sea’s rich, black, stimulating mud and floated effortlessly on their backs while soaking up the water's healthy minerals along with the gently diffused rays of the Jordanian sun.

Dead sea - Spa and hotel guide

Amman Touristic Beach

Most budget visitors (foreigners and Jordanians) head for Amman Beach (3560800; foreign adult/child JD4/2, Jordanian JD1; 24hr), a clean public beach with good facilities, 2km south of the hotels. Locals generally swim fully clothed, though foreigners shouldn't feel uncomfortable here in a modest swimming costume.

A free alternative is the popular Herodus Spring, about 10km south of the hotel strip. Fresh (but undrinkable) water runs down its narrow canyon - ideal for washing afterwards. There's little privacy here so dress modestly.

Try to avoid Fridays and public holidays, when the hotels and public areas are very busy. Always take lots of water as the humidity and heat (over 40°C in summer) can be dehydrating and there's little shade. You need to shower after a dip in the Dead Sea to wash off the uncomfortable coating of encrusted salt. Don't shave before bathing!

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Dead Sea Guide: What is the Dead Sea | Where is the Dead Sea | Why is the Dead Sea important