Common Tourist Scams in Petra (and How to Avoid Them)
Donkey, camel and 'guide' touts — the daily pressure
- Donkey touts: most aggressive at the Monastery steps and back routes. "Madam, the steps are very hard. Donkey?" The donkey rides are not unsafe but the welfare conditions for donkeys at Petra are documented to be poor (PETA + the Brooke welfare reports).
- Camel touts: at the Treasury, Royal Tombs, Outer Siq. Photogenic for the Instagram; agree price before mounting; rides are short.
- Horse-and-carriage: the Siq route. JOD 25 round trip; carriages move fast and bumpy.
- Refusing: "la, shukran" + keep walking. Repeated refusals are required; the touts will follow for 30-60 seconds then move on.
- "Free Bedouin tea": invitations from shopkeepers and "cave guides" to side caves for tea. The tea is real; the conversation is often the prelude to a souvenir purchase or an evening invitation. Solo women report the experience ranges from genuine hospitality to high-pressure flirting.
- "Best view, Madam!" — the back-route + viewpoint pitch from young Bedouin guides. Most viewpoints (al-Khubtha trail, High Place of Sacrifice) are well-marked + don't require a guide; some side routes do.
- Tipping: small tips (JOD 1-2) for accepted services; the donkey-handlers expect tips. Refused services owe nothing.
Live Petra safety score (updates daily) →