Where to Stay in Ajloun: Forest Bungalows and Town Hotels
Ajloun is best known for Ajloun Castle — the 12th-century Ayyubid fortress built by Izz al-Din Usama ibn Munqidh in 1184 CE to guard the Jordan Valley crossings. Less visited but equally worthwhile is the Ajloun Forest Reserve — a patch of Mediterranean oak and pine woodland managed by the RSCN, one of the greener corners in a country that is predominantly desert.
For most visitors, Ajloun is a half-day stop combined with Jerash. For those who want the forest experience or want to avoid the Amman commute for northern Jordan, staying overnight in the reserve or the town makes the visit considerably richer.
This page covers the key choice between forest bungalows and the town hotel, pricing, and getting there.
The Accommodation Choice
Ajloun has three distinct accommodation options at different price points and settings:
RSCN Forest Bungalows (inside the reserve): The premium option — wooden bungalows inside the protected forest with trails from the door. JOD 85–120 per night. Best for nature-focused travellers, hikers, and families.
Ajloun Eco Lodge (near reserve perimeter): A private property near the reserve at a lower price. JOD 50–70 per night. Simpler than the RSCN bungalows but a similar general setting.
Ajloun Hotel (town): Conventional mid-range hotel in Ajloun town. JOD 40–60 per night. No forest setting but closer to the castle and easier access to Jerash and Amman transport.
Detailed Options
Ajloun Forest Reserve Bungalows (RSCN)
Twelve wooden bungalows set among oak and strawberry trees inside the protected reserve. Each bungalow has a private terrace looking into the tree cover. Breakfast is included; dinner is available at the on-site restaurant using seasonal local produce. The soap house — a social enterprise selling natural olive oil soap and handicrafts — sits near the bungalow cluster.
Rates: Approximately JOD 85–120 per night as of 2026 for a double bungalow, breakfast included.
Trails: The Soap House Trail (6.7 km loop, moderate, 2–3 hours), Roe Deer Trail (2 km easy loop), and longer guided routes into the reserve. The trail network makes the bungalows a genuine activity base rather than just a place to sleep.
Booking: Direct through the RSCN website or by calling the reserve. Book two to three weeks ahead for spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) weekends. Jordanian public holidays fill one to two months ahead.
Ajloun Eco Lodge
A privately operated eco-lodge near the reserve perimeter with simpler facilities — fewer rooms, more basic breakfast, no in-house trail network — at a lower price. Approximately JOD 50–70 per night as of 2026. An adequate fallback if the RSCN bungalows are fully booked.
Ajloun Hotel (town)
The main conventional hotel in Ajloun town, located closer to the castle road and the town centre. Rates from approximately JOD 40–60 per night as of 2026. Attached restaurant serving standard Jordanian food. Practical for those combining Ajloun with Jerash as a base, particularly for early-morning castle access (the castle opens at 08:00).
Basic Guesthouses
A handful of family-run guesthouses in the Ajloun area offer rooms at approximately JOD 20–35 per night. Standards vary significantly — check recent Booking.com reviews before committing. Adequate for budget travellers who just need a bed near the castle.
Price Comparison
| Option | Nightly rate (JOD) | USD approx | What’s included |
|---|---|---|---|
| RSCN Forest Bungalows | 85–120 | 120–169 | Breakfast, trail access |
| Ajloun Eco Lodge | 50–70 | 70–99 | Basic breakfast |
| Ajloun Hotel (town) | 40–60 | 56–85 | Room only / breakfast varies |
| Budget guesthouses | 20–35 | 28–49 | Room only |
Rates as of 2026. JOD 1 ≈ USD 1.41.
Getting to Ajloun
From Amman:
- Minibus via Jerash: From Amman’s North Bus Station (Tabarbour), take a minibus to Jerash (JOD 1–2, about 60 minutes), then a shared taxi from Jerash to Ajloun (JOD 1–2, 25–30 minutes). The entire journey costs approximately JOD 2.5–4 per person as of 2026.
- Private taxi: Approximately JOD 35–50 for the vehicle from central Amman, all-in for a day trip. Groups of 2–3 find this more convenient.
- Car: 75 km north via Route 35. Allow 75–90 minutes.
From Jerash: 20 km west. Shared taxis run between the two towns, approximately JOD 1–2 per person. Journey 25–30 minutes.
From Irbid: Approximately 50 km south. Shared taxis and minibuses connect the two. Journey approximately 50–60 minutes.
Using Ajloun as a Northern Jordan Base
Combining Ajloun and Jerash (the standard circuit):
- Morning at Jerash ruins (3–4 hours): Oval Plaza, Cardo Maximus, Temples of Artemis and Zeus, South Theatre
- Lunch break in Jerash town or a cafe near the entrance
- Afternoon drive to Ajloun Castle (25–30 minutes) — the castle warrants 1.5–2 hours
- If staying in the reserve, arrive at the bungalows in the late afternoon for the forest light before dinner
Two-night circuit from Amman: Night 1 in Irbid or Jerash → Day 2 Umm Qais and Jerash → Night 2 at Ajloun Forest Reserve → Day 3 Ajloun Castle and return to Amman. Covers northern Jordan thoroughly without daily commutes from Amman.
Staying in Jerash (20 km Away)
If your primary goal is seeing Ajloun Castle and Jerash on the same trip, staying in Jerash is an equally practical base. Jerash town has limited hotel options at similar price points to Ajloun. The two sites are 20 km apart — roughly 25 minutes by car — and can be covered in either order in a single day.
Seasonal Booking
Spring (March–May): RSCN bungalows fill on weekends. Book two to three weeks ahead. The forest is at its best with wildflowers and migrant birds. Ajloun’s elevation (1,100m) makes spring temperatures genuinely pleasant — cooler than Amman, with occasional rain.
Summer (June–August): Good availability. The forest is cooler than the Jordan Valley or Amman in July. If Jordan summer heat is a concern, the Ajloun highlands are one of the better escapes.
Autumn (September–November): Second season peak. Reserve bungalows fill on October weekends — book early.
Winter (December–February): Quiet and occasionally cold (frost is possible in January at this elevation). The bungalows operate year-round. Lowest rates, most availability.
Practical Notes
Food in Ajloun town: Limited evening options. The Ajloun Hotel restaurant is useful if you are staying in town. The RSCN reserve restaurant serves seasonal Jordanian food for guests.
Ajloun Castle entry: Approximately JOD 3 per person as of 2026. The castle interior has been partially restored; guided tours add context to the Crusader-era history and the panoramic views from the towers. Browse Ajloun and northern Jordan tours on GetYourGuide for combined Jerash-Ajloun day trips with expert guides from Amman.
Travel insurance: Arrange cover before your Jordan trip. Standard policies covering medical treatment and outdoor activities are straightforward to get and worth having for hiking in the reserve.
Wildlife: The Ajloun Forest Reserve has one of Jordan’s few remaining populations of roe deer, as well as wild boar, stone martens, and over 100 bird species. The reserve bungalows’ proximity to the trails makes early-morning wildlife sightings feasible.
More in Ajloun
Frequently Asked Questions
- Are the RSCN forest bungalows in Ajloun worth the cost?
- Yes — for a certain kind of traveller. The bungalows sit inside the protected forest reserve, with trails departing from the accommodation. The forest setting is genuinely different from any other part of Jordan — oak, pine, and wild strawberry trees. Rates of JOD 85–120 per night including breakfast are high by Jordanian standards, but the setting is unique.
- Can I combine Ajloun and Jerash in the same day?
- Yes — the two sites are 20 km apart (25–30 minutes). The standard circuit is Jerash in the morning (3–4 hours) then Ajloun Castle in the afternoon. If you are staying in the forest reserve, you can reverse this: Ajloun Castle first thing in the morning (it opens at 08:00) then Jerash after lunch. Either approach works in a single day.
- How do I get to Ajloun from Amman?
- Ajloun is approximately 75 km north of Amman — about 75–90 minutes by car. Shared minibuses from Amman's North Bus Station (Tabarbour) run to Ajloun via a transfer in Jerash. Fare approximately JOD 1.5–2.5 each way as of 2026. A private taxi from Amman for the full day costs approximately JOD 35–50.
- What trails are available from the Ajloun Forest Reserve bungalows?
- Two main trails depart from or near the bungalows: the Soap House Trail (6.7 km loop, moderate) and the Roe Deer Trail (2 km, easy). Both can be walked without a guide in 1.5–3 hours. The reserve also has longer guided hiking routes and a wildlife hide for birdwatching. The RSCN office at the reserve can advise on conditions and guide availability.
- Is Ajloun worth a full overnight stay or is it a half-day stop?
- A half-day for Ajloun Castle alone is sufficient for most visitors. A full day or overnight becomes worthwhile if you are combining with Jerash, walking the reserve trails from the bungalows, or specifically interested in the forest reserve ecology. For travellers covering northern Jordan over 2 days, an overnight in the reserve is a natural fit.
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