Currency and Exchange

The Jordanian dinar (JD) is a decimal currency, divided into lOOOfils. Prices are always labeled in fils, but the usual spoken practice is to call lOfils a piaster (pt). Thus, 500fils will be written as 50()fils, but referred to as 50pts. A piastre is also sometimes called a qirsh and a 0.5pt is a t’arifeh. Clear? Bills come in denominations of JD20, 10, 5, 1, and 500fils. Coins are silver for 250fils, 100, 50, and 25, and copper for 10 and 5- Since confusion enriches life, the numerals Westerners call “Arabic” are not used in the Arab world, so it’s a good idea to learn the Arab forms (see Arabic Numerals in the Appendix and look at car license plates that are in both scripts). The currency itself is marked also with Western-friendly numbers.

Currency exchange is easy to find in Amman, but harder elsewhere. Bank exchange hours are regularly 9:30am-12:30pm, with some banks opening from 4-5:45pm as well. Branches of the national Housing Bank are the best bets outside of Amman. Queen Alia Airport has exchange facilities for incoming passengers. A passport is always required to change traveler’s checks. Credit cards are not accepted except in expensive hotels. There are ATMs in Jordan, but they don’t take anything but the cards of the particular bank; don’t bank on them.