Ghana travel guide
Ghana is one of West Africa's most welcoming countries to travel in: English-speaking, relaxed and rich in history, from the slave-trade castles of the Cape Coast to the Asante kingdom around Kumasi. It suits travellers interested in culture, music, markets and history, and those happy with road journeys that take longer than the map suggests.
Places worth the trip
Accra
The capital is busy and sprawling, with the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, the fishing harbour and lighthouse at Jamestown, the huge Makola Market and a lively food and music scene in districts such as Osu and Labadi.
Cape Coast and Elmina castles
These whitewashed coastal forts, part of a UNESCO World Heritage listing, were central to the transatlantic slave trade. Guided tours through the dungeons and the 'Door of No Return' are a sombre and important visit.
Kakum National Park
A tropical rainforest north of Cape Coast, known for its canopy walkway of rope bridges strung high among the treetops. Early morning visits offer the best chance of birdsong and cooler air.
Kumasi and the Asante heartland
Ghana's second city was the seat of the Asante kingdom. Visit the Manhyia Palace Museum and Kejetia Market, one of the largest in West Africa, and nearby villages known for kente weaving and adinkra cloth printing.
Mole National Park
Ghana's largest national park, in the savannah of the north, where walking and vehicle safaris with armed rangers bring you close to elephants, antelope, warthogs and baboons, especially in the dry season.
Volta Region
East of the Volta River, the landscape turns hilly and green: Wli Falls, among the highest in West Africa, the Tafi Atome monkey sanctuary and views over Lake Volta, one of the world's largest artificial lakes.
The western beaches
Beyond Takoradi, the coast around Busua, Akwidaa and Axim has palm-fringed beaches, surf breaks and quiet fishing villages, with simple lodges rather than large resorts.
Interesting facts about Ghana
- In 1957 Ghana, formerly the Gold Coast, became the first country in sub-Saharan Africa to gain independence from colonial rule.
- Lake Volta, created by the Akosombo Dam in the 1960s, is one of the largest reservoirs in the world by surface area.
- Ghana is one of the world's biggest producers of cocoa beans.
- The Greenwich Meridian passes through Ghana, and the country lies close to where the meridian meets the equator in the Gulf of Guinea.
- Kente cloth, woven in narrow strips, originates with the Asante and Ewe peoples, and its colours and patterns carry specific meanings.
Best time to visit Ghana
The dry season from roughly November to March is the most comfortable time to visit, with less rain and easier roads, although the dusty harmattan wind from the Sahara can bring hazy skies from December to February. The south has two rainy seasons, roughly April to June and a shorter one in September to October, while the north has a single wet season in the middle of the year. Mole National Park is best for wildlife late in the dry season, when animals gather near water.
Getting around
Domestic flights connect Accra with Kumasi, Tamale and Takoradi and save long drives. On the ground, air-conditioned intercity coaches run between the main cities, while shared minibuses (tro-tros) and shared taxis cover shorter routes cheaply but slowly. In Accra and Kumasi, ride-hailing apps are widely used and avoid negotiating fares. Roads between cities are mostly paved but busy, and night driving is best avoided. Many visitors hire a car with a driver for multi-stop trips.
Practical details
- Capital
- Accra
- Currency
- Ghanaian cedi (GHS)
- Languages
- English
- Plug types
- G, D
- Voltage
- 230 V, 50 Hz
- Emergency
- 112 for all emergencies; also 191 police, 192 fire, 193 ambulance
- Driving side
- right
- Tipping
- Not obligatory, but around 10 percent is appreciated in sit-down restaurants if service is not included. Small tips for guides, drivers and porters are common.
Staying online in Ghana
Mobile data is good in Accra, Kumasi and other cities and along the main highways, with 4G widespread. Coverage becomes weaker in the rural north, in national parks such as Mole and in remote parts of the Volta Region. Hotels and some cafés offer Wi-Fi, but it can be slow or interrupted by power cuts. Mobile money is a big part of daily life, so having working data is useful. Install an eSIM before you fly and switch it on when you land.
Ghana eSIM plans
1 GB
1GB eSIM Data for 3 Days for Ghana, V2
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Unlimited eSIM Data for 1 Day for Ghana, V2
无限流量
Unlimited Plus eSIM Data for 1 Day for Ghana, V2
3 GB
3GB eSIM Data for 3 Days for Ghana, V2
Useful apps
- Bolt: Ride-hailing in Accra, Kumasi and other larger cities, with the fare shown upfront.
- Uber: An alternative ride-hailing option in Accra and some other cities.
- Google Maps: Navigation and finding places; download offline maps before heading north or into rural areas.
- XE Currency: Converting cedi prices, which helps when exchange rates have moved since your last visit.
Ghana travel FAQs
Yes. English is the official language and is widely spoken, especially in cities. You will also hear Twi, Ga, Ewe, Dagbani and other languages, and learning a greeting such as 'akwaaba' (welcome) goes down well.
Yes. Modern phones work on Ghanaian networks, and coverage is good in cities and along main roads. A travel eSIM gives you data on arrival without hunting for a local SIM, although rural coverage can be limited.
Yes. Cards are accepted in larger hotels, malls and some restaurants, but markets, tro-tros, small eateries and rural areas are cash-based. ATMs are common in cities; carry smaller notes for everyday purchases.
Ghana is in a malaria area and some travellers are asked for proof of yellow fever vaccination. Speak to a travel clinic well before your trip, and check your government's travel advice before you go.