Dead Sea. Jordan or Israel? Jordan or Israel: where is it better, where is cheaper Israel or Jordan where is it better to relax

Dead Sea- drainless lake in Jordan and Israel, the saltiest body of water in the world.

Description of the Dead Sea

Dead Sea- a salt lake located between Jordan and Israel.

It is the saltiest lake in the world, its salinity is 300-310 ‰, and in some years up to 350 ‰. The coast of the Dead Sea is the lowest piece of land on Earth: it is 430 meters below sea level and falls at a rate of about 1 meter per year.

The length of this lake is 67 km, the width is 18 km at its widest point, the depth is up to 306 meters.

In 1977, due to a drop in the water level, the lake was divided into 2 parts - northern and southern, connected by a channel. The northern part of the Dead Sea is used for recreational purposes, and in the southern part there are several enterprises engaged in the extraction of bromine, potassium chloride and other minerals through evaporation.

Several dry streams and the Jordan River flow into the Dead Sea.

The sea is called dead because, due to the high salt content, no living organism can live in it. And according to the Bible, it was on the shores of the Dead Sea that the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were located.

Holidays at the Dead Sea

Currently, the Dead Sea is a famous world resort.

From time immemorial, the Dead Sea has been a hospital for those who suffer from diseases of the respiratory, musculoskeletal, skin, endocrine and nervous systems. And the effect of healing is achieved due to the composition. The Dead Sea is not just salty - it is very salty - 33% (for comparison: in the Mediterranean Sea, salts are 3%). It contains all the minerals vital for humans, including: chlorine, magnesium, sodium, calcium, potassium, bromine.

Dead Sea climate

You can relax on the Dead Sea all year round. The average air temperature near the reservoir is 24 degrees Celsius in December and 36.6 degrees in August. Air humidity - in December - 45%, in August 32.2%. The annual rainfall is 100 mm. The average sea water temperature is between 26.7 degrees Celsius in December and 37.7 degrees in August.

Dead Sea Mud

Minerals and therapeutic mud of the Dead Sea are able to restore youth and health to a person and have the highest rejuvenating effect. Therapeutic mud is a product of the vital activity of the only and unique representative of living beings that lives in a concentrated saline solution - archeobacteria. The shores of a strange reservoir can also be considered dead: for a considerable distance they are covered only with a crust of dried salt, which does not allow grass and trees to grow.

Particular attention to the Dead Sea should be paid to those who want to become even more beautiful and slimmer: all kinds of SPA procedures will come to the aid of ladies. First, a body peeling with Dead Sea salts, then a whirlpool with milk, and finally a full body massage with oils.

Dead Sea Salt

Since the body of water is below sea level, the atmospheric pressure here is higher than at any other point on the Earth, which creates the effect of a natural pressure chamber. In addition, air enriched with mineral salts and all kinds of trace elements (especially bromine) has a calming and calming effect on a person. The absence of harmful ultraviolet radiation eliminates the possibility of sunburn, while the tan literally sticks to the body: it is enough to lie in the sun for a couple of hours to become the owner of a luxurious even chocolate tan tomorrow.

But, the main highlight of this resort, of course, is the sea itself. Entering it, you understand what weightlessness is - the body is pushed to the surface, forcing it to take a horizontal position. And begins ... mysticism. No wonder the Israelis joke that the Dead Sea is a place where God is with people on a direct telephone connection.

Dead Sea beaches

The beaches on the Dead Sea are rocky or rocky-sandy, covered with salt or salt stones. To prevent injury, it is recommended to go into the water in special slippers.

Dead Sea Resorts

There are several resorts and cities on the sea both in Israel and in Jordan.

Dead Sea Resorts in Israel

The main resorts of the Israeli part of the Dead Sea:

• Potassium
• Mitzpe
• Shalem
• Ein Gedi
• Ein Bokek
• Neve Zohar

The main and largest Israeli resort of the Dead Sea is Ein Bokek. The rest of the resorts are small villages or oases in the desert with a few buildings.

Dead Sea Resorts in Jordan

As such, there are no Jordanian resorts on the Dead Sea, there are only a few hotels on the coast and beaches near them.

How to get to the Dead Sea?

The Dead Sea resorts can be reached from Israel or Jordan by car or by bus.

Distance to the Dead Sea from the cities of Jordan:

• Amman - 65 km,
• Madaba - 58 km,
• Jerash - 113 km,
• Petra - 280 km,
• Aqaba - 385 km.

Distance from cities in Israel:

• Jerusalem - 40 km,
• Tel Aviv - 110 km,
• Haifa - 190 km,
• Beersheba - 140 km,
• Eilat - 300 km.

The majority opinion is that it is Israel, Jordan and the UAE that are the best suited for families and for singles who like to visit places with a rich history. There is no other country about which so many stories have been written. Many historical events are connected with them, which took place millennia ago, and could influence not only the course of history, but also the spiritual development of mankind.

1. Israel and Jordan share the same climate. In these two countries, the climate is approximately the same, it is very hot in summer, as well as in the Emirates, so preference is given to recreation at other times.
2. Both countries offer holidays on the Red Sea and treatment on the Dead. Many people come here to improve their health.
3. More recently, only wealthy people could afford a trip to the UAE. Now, in connection with the simplification of the visa regime, Russians can visit the Emirates to relax on the coast of the Persian Gulf, and special trips for shopping are organized.
4. Israel and Jordan - these countries will give you unforgettable impressions of ancient religious shrines, monuments of world significance.

In order to choose a country for recreation, you need to learn more about the pros and cons of each of them.

Jordan, Israel - what are the similarities

So, both countries are in the same climatic zone, have the same geographical position, access to the Red and Dead Seas.

The main Israeli resort of Eilat and Jordanian Aqaba are located a few kilometers from each other, and coral reefs can delight divers in both countries.

Many go to the Dead Sea coast in both countries for treatment. The two states have a rich history and culture. Here, in addition to recreation, tourists can visit the sights of world importance. Resting in one of the countries, you can go to another.

And yet they are different countries.

The first difference begins at the border crossing. At Israeli customs, you can find a thorough inspection, longer than in other European countries. They can ask the most unusual questions, it is recommended to answer them calmly, not to be nervous, otherwise they can detain you for a long time.

If the passport has a stamp of an Arab country, then attention to such a guest may be closer. On imported equipment, a video camera can take a fee, which is returned upon departure.

Ben Gurion Airport operates a red and green corridor system. Pass on red if there are items subject to declaration. Rules and lists of things to be transported along different corridors are hanging on a stand in the arrivals hall. If, when passing through the green, undeclared items are found, you will have to pay a double duty.

Since October 25, 2018, a new rule has been introduced: tourists must present the B2 control insert received at the airport at the hotel. Without it, 17% VAT will be included in the bill. The insert must be kept until the end of the trip, it is a confirmation of the status of a tourist.

When entering Jordan, there is no such thorough check; among the import restrictions, there is a ban on the Israeli currency.

One of the main differences and the main factor of various contradictions is the different religion: in Israel it is Judaism, in Jordan it is Islam. It has an impact on culture, lifestyle and traditions. In Jordan, it is not recommended for a woman to go out alone in the evening in a short or tight skirt or shorts. These requirements should be observed, especially on excursions away from the resort.

Topless sunbathing is not allowed on the beach, there are prohibitions regarding alcohol: it can only be consumed in specially designated areas. In Israel, alcohol can be purchased freely in the store, there are also no prohibitions on clothing.

About beach holidays

When comparing holidays on the sea coast, Israel looks preferable in terms of choice: the resorts of the Mediterranean, Red and Dead Seas. Jordan has only two sea coasts.

In Israel, the beaches are municipal, free. There are several expensive hotels with their own beach area. On city beaches, sun loungers and umbrellas are paid (≈2.5 euros). In the Red Sea, tourists have the opportunity to swim with dolphins. It provides Dolphin Reef. Special bridges are made in the pool for observing animals, you can even pet them.

Fans of nightlife will find worthy places for themselves; in this regard, rest in Jordan is more relaxed. With children, you can relax in both countries. Children will find entertainment for themselves in the Ice Mall, where there is even an ice skating rink.

There are few municipal beaches in Jordan, they are preferred by local residents. Umbrellas and sun loungers are usually not enough for everyone. An outsider can go to the private beach for a small fee, which includes a sunbed and an umbrella.

The main resort of Jordan is located in Aqaba. Sandy beaches are located in the northern part of the city, on the south coast there is mostly rocky and pebbly coverage, here, not far from the coast, there are coral reefs. The beaches are mostly private, of the municipal ones, the most equipped is the South. It is not crowded here on weekdays (Sunday-Wednesday).

For those who have settled in a hotel without a beach, it is possible to use the services of a beach club to relax during the day. The price includes a transfer from the hotel and back, a sunbed, a towel, a shower, a changing room, you can use the pool and other services. One of such Berenice club.

Just a few kilometers from Aqaba is the Israeli resort of Eilat. The situation with the beaches is the same as on the Jordanian coast, but the length of the coastline is less than in Jordan. The only resort in Jordan, Aqaba, has 6 dive clubs. About 30 dive sites are located near the shore.

Fans of fun holidays, noisy discos will find a suitable holiday in the Israeli resorts of the Mediterranean Sea. This is the coast near Tel Aviv and Jaffa. Sandy beaches invite to discos, there are many nightclubs.

Israel has a luxurious resort on the Mediterranean Sea - Herzliya - one of the most expensive cities in the country. There is a prestigious yacht club, well-groomed comfortable beaches. The resort is famous for its medical center. Herzliya is a resort for the rich, sophisticated gourmets.

Choice for children

In Israel, there is a cult of children, so you can go to the resorts of the Mediterranean Sea and even with a baby. It is better to stay in a family hotel, although all conditions will be created for a child in a small 3-star hotel.

A special menu has been developed for children, and an individual cleaner is attached to the child. Even if the child is naughty, cannot eat due to many people and other reasons, he can be fed while the restaurant is open. The administration always goes to meet such guests.

For example, in Haifa, the LEONARDO hotel has rooms for parents with 4 children. In the Magic Palace hotel, holidays are organized according to the 5-star system for children and adults. Already at the entrance of a small visitor, surprises await, which continue throughout the entire period of stay.

In Jordan, there are no special conditions for families with children, if you only need the sea and the sun, then you can stay in Aqaba in a 5-star hotel on the 1st line, you should check if there is a children's menu in the restaurant.

Where are the more attractive sights

Both countries are rich in history and ancient monuments. In Israel, the monuments are mostly religious. Among them: with the Wailing Wall and the Temple of the Lord, as well as the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus prayed, Mount Zion. Holy cities of Bethlehem and Nazareth.

In Akko, medieval architectural monuments, buildings, temples have been preserved. The ancient town of Caesarea, part of the national park of the same name.

You can read more about holidays in Israel and attractions, including.

The sights of Jordan are a rich cultural heritage left in the form of architectural masterpieces, which include the ancient city of Petra, carved into the rock in 2000 BC. The city is surrounded by rose-colored rocks and visiting it is like taking a trip into the past. This is only available in Jordan.

Video about the city of Petra:

And the ancient city of Jerash, where people have been living for 6500 years? Until the 20th century, it was hidden by the sands, the city connected two cultures: eastern and western. It is necessary to look at the Martian landscapes of the Wadi Rum desert. Fans of the ancient history of the East and architecture will find in Jordan something that will drag them out for a long time and invite them to see these unique places again.

More about holidays in Jordan -.

About prices

It may not make sense to compare prices in two countries, since there is not much difference. Israel has a higher standard of living than Jordan. Hotels are more comfortable in Israel. Lunch in both countries is about 1000-1500 rubles. for two. In Jordan, some goods and services are cheaper, but the quality is lower.

Prices in hotels in Jordan, for example, in Aqaba are two times lower than in, in Tel Aviv and Hafa, prices are 20-25% higher than in other cities. In Tel Aviv, a deposit is taken from guests. Prices for excursions are approximately the same in both countries.

About holidays in the UAE

If you dream of luxury, chic, snow-white beaches, mind-blowing shops, then you need to go to the Emirates. In the summer there is unbearable heat, perhaps in Israel and Jordan it is smaller and milder. Here you can swim in the Persian Gulf and compare the sensations of the waters of the Red and Mediterranean seas.

A visa to the Emirates has not been needed since February 2019 (from February 17, 2019, an agreement between the two countries on the abolition of visas comes into force), before that it was issued free of charge at the airport upon arrival.

The UAE consists of several emirates, each of which has its own characteristics. When choosing, you should take this into account. For example, in Sharjah, alcohol is banned, you can’t buy it anywhere, and it won’t be served anywhere: neither in a hotel nor in a restaurant. Here you can go on vacation with children.

Beaches with imported white and local sand are safe and clean. It is unlikely that you will find a children's menu in hotels. To prepare a dish familiar to a child, products can be bought at a supermarket or in the market.

In Sharjah there are several hotels with access to the sea coast, in Dubai this is not (a transfer to the beach is organized) and Dubai hotels are more expensive.

What can attract the Emirates? It is an extraordinary modern architecture with skyscrapers, the world's tallest Burj Khalifa, roads, a well-established hotel structure, a show of singing fountains that amazes everyone without exception, despite the fact that it is not considered outlandish.

About communication, the Internet in different countries

In Israel, tourists have no problems with communication throughout the territory. Mobile 3G Internet also covers the entire space. Free Wi-Fi is available in every hotel, cafe, restaurant, etc. In the cities there are pay phones with international communication; you can call using a magnetic card or a coin.

Jordan also has pay phones, but the connection is expensive. Internet access is provided by most hotels, the cost of access is about 900 rubles per day, there is an Internet cafe, where the price is per hour. Wi-Fi is provided for a fee in cafes, restaurants, but the data transfer speed is low and the price is rather big.

In the Emirates, everything is fine with communication, there is free Internet access everywhere, you can buy a local SIM card, a minute of conversation with Russia is 22-23 rubles. Communication problems can only be in the desert or on the high seas.

In order to choose which country to go to, you need to determine what is most important for you: a relaxing holiday by the sea, a good hotel, comfortable conditions for a child, or you are interested in the other side, attractions, active sports.

Israel and Jordan can be visited in one trip. It is worth going to the Emirates on a separate tour. For a child, more suitable conditions are provided by Israel and the UAE. Jordan is able to give a lot of impressions from its ancient history and monuments. The choice is yours!

Ahead of the February cold and sluggish current winter until mid-April, when you want to go away from cold and snowy Russia, somewhere on the sea, where it is sunny and warm. When planning a trip in advance, many Russians weigh all the pros and cons: where will it be warmer, more interesting, more budget-friendly? Which country is more suitable for a winter holiday - Israel or Jordan? Let's try to answer all these questions.

Israel

It will be an excellent choice for those tourists who, in addition to a beach holiday and swimming in the sea, want to devote several days to religious pilgrimages. The excursion program should definitely include a visit to Jerusalem, where the main shrines associated with the name of Jesus Christ are located: the Wailing Wall, the Church of the Holy Sepulcher and the Garden of Gethsemane.

Beach vacation. Red sea

The main winter resort of Israel is Eilat, located on the Red Sea, where you can swim all year round. The northern part of the coast is sandy, the southern part is rocky, with difficult entry into the sea, but with rich underwater flora and fauna. It is this place that divers especially love, and there are several reasons for this: the purity and transparency of the water, ideal visibility at depth, the presence of coral reefs with caves and many inhabitants of the underwater world, which can only be found in the waters of the Red Sea. These are barracudas, bigeyes, glassfishes, tauvin groupers, spotted-tailed gobies, coral garrups, rainbow varioles and others.

In the rest of the resorts of Israel, Tel Aviv, Herzliya and Netanya, located on the Mediterranean Sea, it is cool to swim in winter. Almost all the beaches of this country are public, municipal. Therefore, those who love an isolated and respectable holiday on the private beaches of luxury hotels will have to make a lot of effort to find them. In this country, there is no concept of hotel stardom, there is a certain list of services that are provided to tourists. Therefore, travel agencies often set the level of stars themselves for the convenience of understanding what level of service their clients should expect. When choosing a hotel or hotel, consider this fact.

Wellness vacation. Dead Sea

Another advantage of Israel is the Dead Sea, famous all over the world.
with its unique waters, as well as hot thermal mineral springs that help with diseases of the joints and the respiratory system. You can swim in the salt water of the Dead Sea for no more than 15 minutes. In order not to forget, clocks are installed everywhere on the beaches, allowing you to control the time.

Tour features

• In Israel, one third of the population speaks Russian, and another half understands it, so it will not be difficult for you to communicate with the locals.
• Since 2008, there has been a visa-free regime between our countries. If your stay in the country does not exceed 90 days, you do not need to apply for a visa. However, at the airport in Israel, you will face more thorough checks and screening. This is a common practice, react calmly, answer all questions and there will be no problems.
• If you are planning a family vacation with a baby, think about the issue of his nutrition in advance. In Israel, there is no ready-made canned puree that is familiar to us.
• When developing an excursion route, consider the national peculiarity of this country. On Saturday, Shabbat, almost nothing works here, including public transport. The only way to go anywhere is by taxi.

Jordan

Israel's neighbor, Jordan, began to develop tourism relatively recently. There are not many hotels here, so the number of places and tours is usually limited. If you want to spend your winter holidays in this country, book and purchase in advance.

beach holiday

The only resort located on the Red Sea is Aqaba. The tourist season here lasts all year round, the water in the sea is always warm, and the heat is tolerable and not exhausting. Holidays in Jordan are somewhat more expensive; hotels in Aqaba are distinguished by a high level of service. Wellness tours to the Dead Sea are also popular. Here rest in both countries, in principle, is equivalent.

Excursion rest

Jordan has a rich history and unique sights, for the sake of visiting which most people choose this particular country.

• Firstly, it is the ancient stone city of Petra.
• Secondly, a trip to a real desert, Wadi Rum, which is an exotic sight for our compatriots.
• And thirdly, the trip to the Jordan River, in which Jesus Christ was baptized.

The sightseeing bus is usually escorted by police officers to prevent attempts by those wishing to swim across the river and cross the border into Israel. Apparently there were precedents, since such precautions are taken. But don't let them bother you, just ignore them.

The capital of the country, Amman, can also offer interesting places to visit:
Roman theatre, Umayyad Palace, Citadel and Byzantine fortress.

Recreation features

And finally, take with you strong shoes, long skirts and closed sweaters and swimwear. Jordan is a Muslim country, it is not customary to wear short skirts, shorts and T-shirts here. It will be possible to communicate with the locals in English, it is taught here without fail.

Each person is individual, as are his requirements for rest. In any case, no matter which country you choose, the change from snowy winter Russian reality to warm and sunny will leave only positive emotions and memories from your vacation.

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More recently, people went to the Dead Sea to be treated mainly in Israel. And finally, modern hotel complexes began to appear on the opposite bank - the Jordanians realized what a treasure belongs to them. After all, their sea is no worse than Israel's, or even better ...

Jordan or Israel: where is it better to go to the Dead Sea

The Dead Sea is familiar to each of us from school: it is the only body of water located 400 meters below sea level, where the salt concentration is so high that the existence of living beings is excluded. However, not so long ago, scientists managed to find echoes of life somewhere in the depths - some microbes that have adapted to such conditions.

There are 300 grams of salt per liter of water here, which is about 10 times more than in Cherny. But the main thing is that the Dead Sea is a real natural treasure. It contains almost all the salts that are on the planet, and 55 mineral springs spring from its bottom. This water is almost impossible to reproduce in the laboratory, which is why cosmetics with local salts are so famous - the main Jordanian and Israeli souvenir.

Two states have built resorts on the Dead Sea: Israel and Jordan. In fact, we are talking about different seas with a different composition of water that has different properties. Aerial photography clearly shows that a single body of water, drying up, has long been divided into northern and southern basins. The peninsula with a narrow isthmus, once only conditionally separating them, has now become a serious barrier to water. And therefore, in the south, in Israel, people rest where the depth is only 5 meters, and in the north, in Jordan, where it is more than 300. In Jordan, they say that their sea is better in composition, and the salt concentration there is optimal, since it is diluted with water Jordan river.

Therapeutic salts and mud of the Dead Sea

Perhaps the scientists are wrong. In the Dead Sea, not only the only microbe they found is able to survive, but also many other organisms - tourist ones. And not only survive, but also stock up on health and get rid of many diseases: skin, allergies, here you can treat the nervous system and upper respiratory tract.

You enter the sea not like water - like oil - the water is so thick, viscous, immediately covering the body with a dense greasy film. It is elastic, and therefore it is very difficult to change the position of the body: lie down, sit down, stand up. But in the water you can walk without diving deeper than your chest and without thinking how many meters of this strange liquid is under your feet. It seems that you can walk to the opposite shore all the way to Israel - it is only five kilometers away.

Many who come to the Dead Sea for the first time cannot resist licking the water. And then they spit for a long time, trying to get rid of the sharp unpleasant taste. Because the water in the Dead Sea is not salty - it is bitter. And as a warning to those who do not believe in such salinity, there are huge boulders on the shore covered with crystal salt crystals.

And therefore the most popular shots from these places are how people lying on the water peacefully read magazines and newspapers. In truth, no one reads literature at sea. All this waste paper lies on coastal stones and is used only as props. While you make your way over the stones, you swim a little along this rubbery water from the shore, the magazine will bathe several times and completely get wet. Yes, and doctors do not recommend staying in the water for more than 15-20 minutes. But you do not burn out immediately: the skin is protected by the bromine contained in the water and the ozone layer, which is denser than in other places on the planet.

The local dirt is also famous. They bring it to the hotel beaches and dump it into huge clay pots. However, if you walk along the edge of the sea, you can see for yourself its deposits in shallow water - large black spots under water. It is better not to take from above, but to dig deeper. But you need to do this carefully: with any movement, the mud sucks the legs like a swamp.

Before smearing yourself with the obtained wealth, you should plunge into the sea, and, without washing off the salty film, apply a mask on the body, then on the hair, and then on the face. Yes, so that on each of these "territories" the dirt was 20, 10 and 5 minutes, respectively. Salt water will keep the healing substance from drying out.

But what about at home with the vacuum-packed dirt bought in the store? Locals recommend adding a little olive oil to it. By the way, it is almost useless to bring home the dirt dug up with your own hands - in the air it quickly oxidizes and loses its properties.

Where to live in the Dead Sea

For a long time, there were no hotels on the shores of the Jordanian Dead Sea. And only now the locals realized what they were losing and began to actively build. They are still far from Israeli scale, but such luxurious hotels as the Kempinski Hotel Ishtar have already appeared.