I'm Jewish and have been to Israel a couple of times now, but had never traveled to Jordan since I, like many others, was a bit frightened by the idea of traveling through an arab country, especially as a Jew.  But last time I was in Israel I got rid of those ridiculous preconceptions of Arab countries and I headed to Petra with a friend of mine.  WOW!  I've seen many of the wonders of the world and Petra is one of the most astounding feats of art and architecture that I have witnessed.  I highly recommend people visit Petra and plan on spending a few hours walking around and taking it all in.  Really incredible.

When staying on Bocas there arent a whole lot of options.  This place is the biggest hostel and its run by three really friendly guys from California who started the place up as a way to escape from reality for a few years.  They are actually selling the place now, i saw the ad online and considered purchasing it for a few minutes.  Really great laid back atmosphere.  there are good people, decent beds, a bar and all the usual hostel goodies.

Beautiful?  Yes.  It looks exactly like the photos.  So much so that a photo of yourself infront of it looks like something made on photoshop.

I found the cost of getting in to see the Taj was absolutely stupifying however.  I was there in 2005 and it cost $20 USD to enter.  This is in a country where I was sleeping for $1-2/night and eating meals for 50 cents.  I was averaging somewhere around $10/day on my entire budget if you exclude any pointless souvenirs I bought.  Is it really worth 2 days entire budget to see a building?  No.  But how can you be in Northern India and not see the Taj Mahal?  That would just be silly.

The Pink Palace is quite possibly the most amazing place on earth if you are a backpacker.  Forget about 20 person dorms in a worn down brick building in the town's red light district.  This is just what it deems itself, a palace. 

Think Club Med for budget travelers.  After being given the complimentary shot of pink ouzo upon arrival, $30 a night will get you a private room in one of the Palace's beachfront buildings, with an ocean view balcony if you are a lucky one.

If just that idea alone doesnt swing you, how about I tell you that breakfast is included.  Ok, fine, banquet dinner as well.  Every evening people are seated at tables of ten where they will meet fellow hostellers, eat a three course greek meal and get their night started right.  Then roll to one of the three bars on site to continue until the sun rises.

But what do i do during the day?!  I guess you can go on one of the organized ATV rides or maybe go on a booze cruise.  Although there is always the free alternative of just splashing in the Mediterranean while checking out the other tourists. 

Go here. It is amazing.  Opah!

I have stayed in hostels all over the world and El Centro Del Mundo in Quito, Ecuador is my absolute  favorite.  Run by a flamboyant French Canadian named Pierre, this place is an amazing amount of fun.  Every monday,wednesday and friday is FREE rum and coke night.  Pierre picks up a couple bottles of each, dumps them in a pot and you can ladle out as much as you want.  When the pot is done, just $1 a person fills it back up. 

The hostel is clean and the staff is absolutely fantastic.  The people who stay here become instant friends.  I traveled for a few weeks with some of the people here and met up with many of them later on in different countries.  Really one of the greatest hostel families there is.