![\"\"](\"https:\/\/wearetravelgirls.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/petra-monastery-2.jpg\")
<\/p>\nIt\u2019s hard to describe the feeling of finally visiting the place that’s been #1 on your bucket list for half your life. The Lost City of Petra has captured my imagination since my early teenage years, occupying the #1 spot on my travel bucket list since I was probably 14.<\/p>\n
So when my dad and I decided to visit Israel last year, I was determined to fit a couple days in Jordan into our itinerary. I worried that there was no way for Petra to live up to my expectations, but the experience was just as magical as I\u2019d always dreamed.<\/p>\n
Below I\u2019ve outlined everything you need to know about planning a trip to Petra, and what to see while you\u2019re there. There are a few extra tips and links at the bottom to help with your planning!<\/p>\n
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Petra is an ancient archeological site in Jordan, situated between the Red Sea and the Dead Sea in Jordan. The site has been inhabited since prehistoric times, but is famous because of the Nabatean city carved into the rock, which dates to the first few centuries BCE (estimates around 300 BCE).<\/p>\n
The city was situated at a major trading crossroads during that time, and is now a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/wearetravelgirls.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/petra-treasury-3.jpg\")
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Obviously, bad things can happen anytime, anywhere, and Jordan certainly has some issues with unsafe neighbors. But the country is one of the safest in the Middle East, with good infrastructure (paved roads, etc.), and I felt very comfortable and welcome there.<\/p>\n
It’s not recommended to go to near the areas bordering Iraq and Syria (the aforementioned neighbors), and obviously check the news and U.S. travel warnings prior to your visit, but as long as you’re staying in the tourist areas such as Amman, Petra, Wadi Rum, Wadi Mujib, etc., you should be okay.<\/p>\n
You can totally visit Petra by yourself\u2014we did! If you\u2019re visiting several areas in Jordan, a tour guide and driver may simplify things, but it’s certainly not a requirement. You can consider hiring a guide at the entrance to Petra, which I would have considered if we\u2019d had more time.<\/p>\n
The history is so rich and the signage is minimal (something I’m thankful for, as a photographer), so a trained guide can give a lot more historical insight and also show you where to get the best pictures.<\/p>\n
If your itinerary can swing it, I recommend spending two days in Petra, though if you have time, you can spend more there\u2014the park is massive! The price for a two-day Petra ticket is 55 Jordanian dinar (JOD), vs. 50 JOD for one day (both with overnight stay).<\/p>\n
Be aware that if you\u2019re doing Petra as a day trip and not staying overnight at a hotel in Wadi Musa, then the price is a steep 90 JOD.<\/p>\n
Depending on where you’re coming from, you have a few options, but a taxi is the easiest. We took the bus from Wadi Rum to Wadi Musa (a good option if you\u2019re on a tight budget), but it drops you off at a depot of sorts and then you still have to find a way to your hotel.<\/p>\n
Taxi is the easiest. We took a taxi from Wadi Musa back to the Aqaba\/Eilat border, and it cost around $35-40 USD. Agree on a price before getting in.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/wearetravelgirls.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/petra-colonnaded-street-3.jpg\")
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Here is a fairly simple map created by Lucy of OnTheLuce.com<\/a> just to give you an idea of the order of things (distances not completely to scale). To hike to the High Place of Sacrifice, the trail starts between the Theatre and the Colonnaded Street. <\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/wearetravelgirls.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/petra-map.jpg\")
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