Ghana travel guide

Getting there

Kotoka International Airport in Accra is the main gateway, with flights from Europe, the Middle East, North America and across Africa. Land borders connect Ghana with Togo, Burkina Faso and Côte d'Ivoire.

Best time to visit: Nov–Mar – dry season with less humidity.

Tougher months: April to June and September to October – rainy periods in the south can make rural roads difficult; dusty Harmattan winds can reduce visibility in December and January.

Weather by month in Accra

• 32°J
• 32°F
• 32°M●
• 32°A●
• 31°M●●
• 29°J●●●
• 28°J●
• 27°A●
• 28°S●
• 30°O●●
• 31°N●
• 32°D

Average daytime highs in °C; dots show how rainy the month is (one dot dry, three dots wet).

Time zone: Africa/Abidjan. Compare with your local time.

Visas: in our passport dataset, 62 of 198 other passports can enter Ghana without arranging a visa first (visa-free or visa on arrival), 0 need an e-visa or electronic authorisation, and 136 need a visa in advance. Check your passport.

Background: Visa policy of Ghana (Wikipedia).

Official advisory: Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution (U.S. Department of State, updated 2026-07-07). Read the advisory.

Source and more: Ghana travel facts on RoamSun

Stay

Most trips to Ghana are based around Accra, Cape Coast or Elmina. Pick a base for your main interest, then add day trips rather than moving hotels every night.

Typical daily budget: about US$30–50 for a backpacker and US$80–150 mid-range, per person.

Source: RoamSun Ghana page · Browse hotel guides

Connect

Plug types: D, G. Voltage: 230 V. Check your own devices on the plug and currency checker.

Calling code: +233.

Mobile data: read the travel eSIM setup guide before you fly so the plan is installed and ready on landing.

Source: Advinne eSIM guide · RoamSun

Do

• Accra (Capital · culture & nightlife): A lively capital with Jamestown's lighthouse, the Nkrumah Memorial, art galleries and beach bars.
• Cape Coast (Central Region · history): Home to the UNESCO-listed Cape Coast Castle and a gateway to Kakum National Park.
• Elmina (Central Region · castle & fishing town): The oldest European building in sub-Saharan Africa overlooks a colourful fishing harbour.
• Kumasi (Ashanti Region · Asante culture): The historic capital of the Asante kingdom, with royal palaces, markets and crafts villages nearby.
• Mole National Park (Savannah Region · wildlife): Ghana's largest park, where walking safaris bring you close to elephants and antelope.
• Kakum National Park (Central Region · rainforest): Tropical forest famous for its canopy walkway and birdlife.
• Volta Region (East · waterfalls & mountains): Green hills, Wli Falls, Mount Afadja and the vast Lake Volta.
• Busua (Western Region · beach): A relaxed beach village with surf schools and seafood by the sea.

Things to do

• Tour Cape Coast Castle. Walk through the dungeons and the 'Door of No Return' on a moving guided tour of this UNESCO-listed fort.
• Cross the Kakum canopy walkway. Sway along rope bridges high above the rainforest floor in Kakum National Park.
• Spot elephants in Mole. Join a walking safari in Mole National Park as elephants bathe in the watering holes.
• Explore Kumasi's Kejetia Market. Lose yourself in one of West Africa's largest markets, then visit the Manhyia Palace Museum.
• Watch kente weavers at work. Visit the weaving village of Bonwire to see the famous colourful cloth woven by hand.
• Relax on the Western Region beaches. Unwind at palm-fringed beaches around Busua and Axim, popular for surfing lessons.
• Hike to Wli Falls. Walk through the forest of the Volta Region to one of the highest waterfalls in West Africa, home to a fruit bat colony.
• Feel Accra's nightlife. Dance to highlife and Afrobeats in Osu or Labadi beach bars.

Source: full Ghana guide on RoamSun

Eat and drink

• Jollof rice – spicy tomato rice
• Fufu – pounded cassava and plantain with soup
• Waakye – rice and beans with sides
• Kelewele – spicy fried plantain

Source: RoamSun Ghana guide

Money and safety

Currency: Ghanaian cedi (GHS). Currency and plug checker.

Tipping: About 10% in restaurants if not included.

Emergency numbers: 191 police · 192 fire · 193 ambulance · 112.

• The currency is the Ghanaian cedi (GHS); ATMs are common in cities but scarce in rural areas.
• Cards are accepted in upmarket hotels and restaurants, but cash and mobile money are king elsewhere.
• Ghana is one of West Africa's safer destinations, but watch for pickpockets in busy markets and stations.
• Avoid walking alone on beaches or in quiet areas after dark, and use trusted taxis or ride-hailing apps at night.

Source: RoamSun Ghana facts