What is the best area to stay in Aqaba?

The main hotel strip runs along the northern beach road (the King Hussein Street waterfront area). Staying here puts you within walking distance of the beach, the main diving operators, and the souk. The southern end of town, near the ferry terminal, is less convenient for visitors arriving for leisure. For most travellers, the waterfront strip is the right area.

Is Aqaba expensive for hotels?

Less expensive than Amman for equivalent quality. Budget guesthouses start from around JOD 20–30 (approximately USD 28–42) per night, mid-range hotels run JOD 50–90 (approximately USD 70–127), and the large resort properties charge JOD 100–200 (approximately USD 141–282) per night or more in peak season. Prices rise sharply in July and August when Jordanians visit from Amman for summer holidays.

Should I book Aqaba hotels in advance?

July and August are busy — the peak Jordanian domestic holiday season — and good mid-range properties sell out weeks ahead. The rest of the year is more relaxed. For travel between October and May, last-minute booking is usually possible, but the best-located properties still fill up for weekends. Book at least a week ahead for any stay from late June through August.

Which Aqaba hotels have the best snorkelling access?

The Berenice Beach Club and the beach areas in front of the Kempinski and Movenpick properties have reasonable snorkelling directly from shore. South Beach (a few kilometres south of central Aqaba) has better marine life but is harder to reach without a taxi or organised tour. Marine parks to the south of Aqaba, including the Aqaba Marine Park, offer the best corals.

Aqaba Hotels Guide | The Jordan Guide

Aqaba is Jordan’s only coastal city — a small, functional port town at the northern tip of the Red Sea, where the borders of Jordan, Israel, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt converge within a few kilometres of each other. The Red Sea here is calm, clear, and home to coral reefs in reasonable condition, which makes the city a genuine beach and dive destination rather than just a transit point. Hotels are concentrated along the waterfront north of the city centre and, further south, around the better beach access areas.

Luxury and Upscale (JOD 100–200+/night)

Kempinski Hotel Aqaba is the benchmark luxury property in the city. It sits on the northern coastal road with direct Red Sea frontage and a large pool complex. The rooms are well-appointed, the service is consistent with the brand’s standards elsewhere, and the beach access is among the best of the central Aqaba hotels. Rates start from approximately JOD 120–200 per night as of 2026, rising in peak summer months. The Kempinski’s diving centre operates from the hotel and is a convenient option for guests who want to combine accommodation and dive instruction in one booking.

Mövenpick Resort & Spa Tala Bay Aqaba is located about 17 kilometres south of central Aqaba, within the Tala Bay development — a private beach community with its own marina, restaurants, and facilities. The isolation makes it less convenient for accessing the city itself, but the beach and snorkelling access here is better than at the central properties. Rates from approximately JOD 110–180 per night as of 2026. Shuttle buses run to central Aqaba.

InterContinental Aqaba Resort sits on the main hotel strip and offers a well-maintained pool, a private beach area, and multiple restaurants. Standard rooms start from approximately JOD 100–160 per night as of 2026. The property is a reliable choice for those who want the certainty of an international chain with consistent service standards.

Mid-Range Hotels (JOD 45–90/night)

Aquamarina Hotel Aqaba offers good value on the waterfront strip with sea-view rooms at a noticeably lower price than the large resort properties. Rates from approximately JOD 50–75 per night as of 2026. The hotel has a small pool, basic beach access, and its own dive centre. The rooms are comfortable and well-maintained; don’t expect resort-level finishes but the location is strong for the price.

Golden Tulip Aqaba Hotel is a reliable mid-range option with straightforward rooms and facilities — pool, restaurant, gym — at a fair price. Rates from approximately JOD 45–70 per night as of 2026. It sits near the city centre rather than directly on the beach, which means a short walk or taxi to reach the waterfront, but the rooms are clean and the price is reasonable.

Days Inn Hotel & Suites Aqaba provides a solid budget-to-mid range option in the city centre, with functional rooms and a quiet pool area. Rates from approximately JOD 40–60 per night as of 2026. No beach access, but convenient for the souk, restaurants, and central Aqaba.

Budget Guesthouses (JOD 20–40/night)

Al-Shula Hotel is among the better-reviewed budget options in Aqaba, with clean rooms and a helpful front desk that can assist with dive and tour bookings. Rates from approximately JOD 20–35 per night as of 2026. Basic facilities — no pool, no sea view — but well-positioned in the city centre.

Captain’s Hotel has a long-standing reputation among backpackers and divers for its central location, shared kitchen facilities, and direct connections with the diving community in Aqaba. Rates from approximately JOD 25–40 per night as of 2026 for private rooms. The hotel’s own dive operation (Captain’s Dive Club) runs daily boat dives to reef sites along the coast.

Practical Advice

When to stay. November to April is the best time to visit Aqaba — water temperatures are around 22–24°C (comfortable for diving with a 3mm wetsuit), air temperatures are pleasant at 20–28°C, and hotels are less crowded. July and August are extremely hot (35–40°C air temperature) and prices are higher due to domestic demand. Avoid the summer peak unless you specifically enjoy that heat.

Getting to Aqaba from other cities. JETT runs a daily bus service from Amman (Abdali terminal) to Aqaba; the journey takes approximately 4 hours and costs around JOD 8–10 as of 2026. A private taxi from Amman costs approximately JOD 70–90. From Petra (Wadi Musa), the drive takes around 90 minutes by private taxi — arrange through your hotel there for approximately JOD 25–40. There is also a local bus service, but it is slow.

Diving and snorkelling. Most of the mid-range and luxury hotels have either their own dive centres or partnerships with local operators. If diving is your main reason to visit, confirm what’s included in the rate before booking — some properties include equipment hire in the room rate, others add it separately. To browse and pre-book Aqaba diving packages and tours, compare Aqaba tours and activities.

For everything to see and do in Aqaba — including the Marine Park, Mamluk Fort, and best beach access points — see our Aqaba city guide.

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Where to Stay in Aqaba: Best Hotels for Every Budget