Here are the top 5 things you absolutely MUST do when visiting the Dead Sea in Jordan. You may think the only things to do are floating in the Dead Sea and giving yourself a Dead Sea Mud Mask. But there are so many more incredible things to do! Keep reading to make sure you don’t miss any of the best things to do at the Dead Sea in Jordan!
1. Panorama Dead Sea Complex
The Panorama Dead Sea Complex is a museum of the history and formation of the Dead Sea. But even if you’re not super into visiting museums, the complex is worth visiting because it’s perched high on a cliff with stunning views.
The complex has a viewing platform and a short walking path along the cliff that offers some of the best views of the Dead Sea.
There is also a restaurant right on the cliff that would be the perfect spot for a sunset dinner.
Zara Cliff Walk
Near the viewing platform, you will see a sign for the Zara Cliff Walk. The Zara Cliff Walk is a short, mostly flat, rocky path along the cliff with panoramic views of the Dead Sea. You can see all the way across to Israel. The path is about 1/2 mile, round trip.
The Zara Cliff Walk is definitely one of the best places to take pictures of the Dead Sea.
2. Wadi Mujib Siq Trail
The Wadi Mujib Siq Trail is hands down one of the absolute most amazing things to do in Jordan. It’s not that well known compared to Petra and the Dead Sea, but I think it should be at the top of everyone’s Jordan bucket list. It was definitely one of the most fun things we did in Jordan.
In Arabic, Wadi means valley and Siq means canyon. So the Wadi Mujib Siq Trail means Mujib Valley Canyon Trail.
If you’ve never been canyoning before, the Siq Trail is the perfect place to start for beginners. It’s a super fun trail through a breathtaking canyon with a turquoise river running through it. There are ropes to pull yourself through some sections of the river, ladders for climbing waterfalls, and even smooth rock slides created by the water.
Even if you don’t want to go all the way to the end, it’s still worth doing the Siq Trail just to see this incredible canyon. The beginning is easy as you are only wading through ankle-deep water for the first 30 minutes or so. But you still have some of the best views of the canyon. You can hike as far as you want and turn around anytime you want.
Canyoning at the Dead Sea
But if you’re up for a little adventure, I highly, highly recommend going all the way to the end! Climbing the waterfalls, jumping off cliffs, and sliding down the rock slides is SO fun. There are a couple places that are a little tricky, but don’t give up!! Most of the trail is fairly easy and super super fun. You’ll be so glad you made it all the way to the end!
The way back is easy and relaxing. All those waterfalls you had to climb up, now you can just jump off or slide down. And most of the way you can just lie back, relax, and float downstream while looking up at the incredible canyon.
About the Siq Trail
The Siq Trail starts at the Wadi Mujib Adventure Center. It’s open only during the summer months, from April to October. The trail opens at 8 AM and closes at 3 PM.
The trail usually takes around 2 hours to complete. However it took us closer to 3 hours because we stopped for so many pictures!!
How much does the Siq Trail cost?
- Entry costs 21 JD ($30 USD) per person
- The cost to hire a guide is 30 JD ($42 US) per group
- Waterproof shoes are available to rent for 5 JD ($7 USD)
You do not have to hire a guide, but I can guarantee you we would’ve NEVER made it without a guide!! If $42 seems expensive, you can join up with other people to share the cost of a guide. There were also guides stationed at certain tricky places along the trail, but not at all of them. I was super glad we had our own guide to help us. Also if you wait until later in the day to start, there will be more people on the trail who can help you. We started at 10:30 AM and didn’t see very many people until we started to go back.
We initially didn’t hire a guide, but one started following us from a distance. When we got to the first tricky part, he came to help us and stayed with us the rest of the time. We ended up tipping him directly at the end.
What To Bring for Hiking the Siq Trail
Here are a few things that will definitely make hiking the Siq Trail a little easier!
Water Shoes
If you don’t already have water shoes, you can rent them at the adventure center, but the rental shoes are flimsy and plastic. The rocks are slippery, so you want shoes with a good grip on the bottom. You can hike in regular hiking shoes or athletic shoes if you don’t mind getting them wet.
I brought something similar to these waterproof sandals. I wanted something not too expensive, since I knew I wouldn’t be wearing them that often, and something small and light so it wouldn’t take it up too much space in my suitcase. In the end, I was super glad I had these rather than the rental shoes. I think I would’ve rather hiked in regular athletic shoes than the rental shoes!
Dry Bag
If you want to take your camera or phone for pictures, you definitely need a dry bag. We kept our phones and camera in a Ziploc bag inside the dry bag for extra protection.
Here is a link to the dry bag we brought.
Wadi Mujib Siq Trail — Watch the Video!
Watch the video above to see what it’s really like to hike the Wadi Mujib Siq Trail! You can see us climbing waterfalls, jumping off cliffs, and sliding down the rock slides.
3. Dead Sea Salt Beach
Just 3 miles south of the Wadi Mujib Adventure Center is a salt beach. Here you can see extremely rare and colorful salt formations along the Dead Sea.
Unfortunately the salt beach is located down a steep cliff. You can pull off and park anywhere along the side of the road, but if you want to actually walk on the salt beach like I did, you will have to scramble down the cliff.
If you decide to do this, be SUPER SUPER CAREFUL. The cliff is very steep and the rocks and sand are VERY slippery. Pay attention to how you get down so you remember how to get back up.
Where is the Dead Sea Salt Beach?
Here is the exact {GPS Location} where we parked and climbed down to the salt beach pictured above.
If you just want to pull over and take pictures from the side of the road without climbing down, here is the {GPS Location} for a nice overlook of a different salt beach.
4. Floating in the Dead Sea
Because of the extremely high salt content in the Dead Sea, you can completely float without any floatation device, treading water, or anything! If you’re going to the Dead Sea, it’s a must try!! It’s an incredible, unique experience you can’t have anywhere else.
Tips for Floating in the Dead Sea
- Definitely try putting your legs and arms down like a pencil. You will float like a buoy! It’s totally relaxing because you’re not using any muscles at all. You feel weightless, like you’re floating in space.
- Only stay in the water for 10-15 minutes. Any longer than that and the salt can start to irritate your skin.
- Float in the Dead Sea from a resort or official beach. You need to completely rinse off with fresh water immediately after swimming in the Dead Sea. The resorts and beaches will have fresh water showers available.
- You may want to bring water shoes or flip flops since the beach is rocky in some places.
- Rinse your bathing suit and shoes thoroughly with fresh water immediately after floating.
- Don’t take your phone or camera anywhere near the water! Make sure your hands are completely dry before touching any of your electronics. The salty water will totally kill your devices if you even get a small drop of water on them.
- Go as soon as you can! The Dead Sea is shrinking rapidly.
Floating in the Dead Sea — Watch the Video!
Watch the video above to see how easily you float in the Dead Sea!
5. Dead Sea Mud Mask
Another one of the most popular things to do at the Dead Sea in Jordan is a Dead Sea Mud Mask.
The mud around the Dead Sea is enriched with magnesium, sodium, and potassium. It’s said to reduce skin impurities and enhance your skins ability to retain moisture, making your skin soft and smooth.
Dead Sea Mud Mask — How to Do it the Right Way
Most people put the mud on first, then rinse it off in the Dead Sea. But here’s how to get the best results from your Dead Sea Mud Mask:
After floating in the Dead Sea, put the mud on your skin, let it completely dry, then rise it off with fresh water.
Dead Sea Hotels
There are many resorts around the Dead Sea in Jordan. If you’re looking for the best Dead Sea Hotels in Jordan, I highly recommend the Dead Sea Marriott Resort & Spa.
The Marriott Resort & Spa is located right on the shores of the Dead Sea. They have their own private beach so you can have a more peaceful experience floating in the Dead Sea. They also have multiple saltwater and freshwater pools, whirlpools and saunas for total relaxation.
The Marriott even has a complimentary massage therapist down at the beach who will properly apply the Dead Sea Mud Mask on you while giving you an express full body massage!
The Marriott Dead Sea Resort & Spa has multiple restaurants and cafes conveniently located at the hotel. Some have outdoor terraces overlooking the Dead Sea. It’s the perfect place for a lunch on the terrace or a special sunset dinner. We ate at the Italian restaurant twice!
The rooms at the Marriott Resort & Spa have balconies with postcard-perfect views of the Dead Sea.
I highly recommend downloading the Marriott Bonvoy app. You can use it to request extra towels, toiletries, make dinner reservations, or anything you might need. It will even unlock your door for you if you forget your key!!
Wow. Your post really inspires me to be more adventurous in my travel. I have been to Europe lots of times but never Jordan. It looks stunning and I would actually love to visit the dead sea. It sounds so different and memorable.