Budget — Aqaba

The budget for a stay in Aqaba varies according to the type of hotel and the intensity of diving activities. Count around €95 per person per day for a comfortable stay: 4-star hotel in Tala Bay, modest lunches and dinners, one dive per day.

Accommodation covers all categories. Budget: Captain's Hotel, Crystal Hotel, Cedar Hotel (€40-70/night, downtown). Comfort: Aqaba Gulf Hotel, DoubleTree by Hilton (€80-130/night). 4-star with private beach in Tala Bay: Mövenpick Tala Bay, Marina Plaza Tala Bay (€150-250/night). Luxury: Kempinski Hotel Aqaba, Hyatt Regency Aqaba, InterContinental Aqaba, Saraya Aqaba (€250-500/night). Book 2-3 months ahead in high season (March-May, September-November, school holidays).

Food in Aqaba is excellent and affordable. The fresh fish souk (next to the port) serves the best grilled fish in town at 8-15 JOD a meal — the essential local experience. Ali Baba (family institution, seafood, mezze): 20-30 JOD per person. Romero (Italian, sea-view terrace): 25-40 JOD. Mövenpick and Kempinski hotel restaurants: 35-60 JOD per person. For a quick meal, falafels and shawarmas from downtown canteens cost 2-5 JOD.

Activities: exploration dive 35-50 JOD (€45-65), introductory dive 45-60 JOD, full Open Water course 250-350 JOD (€320-450), glass-bottom boat 8-15 JOD, hotel private beach day pass 25-50 JOD, pedalo / kayak / jet ski rental 15-40 JOD per hour.

Entry fees to town sites are modest: Mamluk Castle 3 JOD, Arab Revolt Fort 3 JOD, Aqaba Aquarium 5 JOD. The Jordan Pass covers some of these sites.

Local transport is inexpensive: city taxi 2-5 JOD, Aqaba-airport taxi 5-10 JOD, bus from Amman 11 JOD, domestic flight €60-100 return.