Money and payments
Cards and cash
There are Ecobank, Standard Chartered Bank, Stanbic Bank and GT Bank ATMs all over Ghana which accept MasterCard and Visa.
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Africa · Western AfricaOutline guideCountry in West Africa
Photo: Erik Kristensen, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Ghana is a country in West Africa. It's a gratifying destination for first-time visitors to West Africa (it's sometimes called "Africa for beginners"), owing to its good infrastructure, political stability and widespread use of English. The people are generally very helpful and welcoming. While their laid-back attitude and a lack of organised tourist sights or trips can be a little annoying, you'll quickly realise that it is one of the delights of this country.
Answers to what travellers most often look up about Ghana.
Cards and cash
There are Ecobank, Standard Chartered Bank, Stanbic Bank and GT Bank ATMs all over Ghana which accept MasterCard and Visa.
English
English is both the official language and the lingua franca between Ghana's many peoples.
MTN and Telecel have 2G GSM (including EDGE), 3G UMTS (including HSPA+), and 4G LTE coverage in the regional capitals and other major cities.
Mobile networks
Bottled water is available everywhere.
Chloroquine-resistant malaria is widespread and you must take sufficient malaria protection including mosquito avoidance, mosquito repellants, and chemical prophylaxis.
Do try to pick up on respectful practice (such as not eating or offering with your left hand), but in general Ghanaians are quite accepting of tourists getting it wrong. Greetings are very important.
Attractions, food, stays and travel essentials, with ratings, reviews, opening hours and directions.
national capital and largest city
the first capital of Gold Coast (the former name of Ghana), Cape Coast is home to a slave castle that is a UNESCO World Heritage site
regional capital of the Eastern Region
former capital of the Ashanti Empire on the UNESCO World Heritage List for Ashanti traditional buildings, and Ghana's second-largest city
a mining town
also known as twin city or oil city
the capital of Brong Ahafo Region
largest city in the north, fastest-growing metropolis in Ghana and gateway to Mole National Park
a spectacular waterfall in a village called Boti in the Manya Krobo district in the Eastern Region.
rainforest area with a long canopy walk, delightful to be above the treetops, but rare to see any wildlife except birds. Monkeys, elephants and antelope are said to live in the region. There is a good little museum and a café at the park entrance.
savannah with buffalo, monkeys, antelope, and reintroduced lions & elephants; driving and walking safaris are popular, you can even camp for the night on the savannah.
Paga is a town in the north of Ghana.
Shai Hills Resource Reserve is in Doryumu, the Shai Osudoku District of Greater Accra.
Places in Ghana on the World Heritage List.
Asante Traditional Buildings
Listed 1980
Forts and Castles, Volta, Greater Accra, Central and Western Regions
Listed 1979
List from Wikidata (CC0). Photos from Wikimedia Commons.
The Gulf of Guinea coastal area with the capital city, several forts, and the best-preserved rainforest in the country.
Accra, Apam, Cape Coast, Elmina, Kakum National Park, Kokrobite, Nzulezo, Sekondi-Takoradi, Ada
Forested hills and the ancient Ashanti kingdom.
The massive Lake Volta, the river system that feeds it, and border crossings to Togo.
Savanna plains and the traditional trade routes with Burkina Faso.
Public transport and paid services in Ghana.
By train
The rail network in Ghana has long been dormant, however as of 2020 there are signs of rehabilitation on some stretches and intercity passenger services might materialize within a few years.
By bus
A. Travel and Tours, M Plaza, and Diplomatic Transport. Fare depends on preferred company and destination of travel.
By car
Roads are variable. In Accra most are fairly good. Significant improvements are being made on the main road between Accra and Kumasi.
By taxi
Taxis are prevalent, easy to spot, safe, and as a tourist you will find they find you quick enough if you need one.
Apps for booking a taxi or a ride in Ghana.
Finding apps for Ghana…
Other ways to travel:By tro-tro
Operators checked against their official websites in October 2026; services that have stopped running are not listed. Logos and Wikipedia links: Wikidata (CC0)
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Accra · International · ACC
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Calculated from climate averages: mild daytime highs and lower rainfall. It does not account for festivals, crowds or prices.
Average conditions in Accra
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg. high | 30° | 30° | 30° | 29° | 29° | 27° | 26° | 26° | 27° | 28° | 29° | 30° |
| Avg. low | 25° | 26° | 26° | 26° | 26° | 25° | 23° | 23° | 23° | 25° | 25° | 25° |
| Rainfall (mm) | 22 | 44 | 104 | 134 | 196 | 197 | 91 | 40 | 102 | 148 | 64 | 25 |
| Humidity | 78% | 81% | 83% | 85% | 86% | 88% | 89% | 89% | 88% | 87% | 84% | 80% |
Choose your passport and destination to see whether you need a visa.
Budget
$40
Per person, per day
Mid-range
$125
Per person, per day
Luxury
$320
Per person, per day
| Budget | Mid-range | Luxury | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $20 | $70 | $190 |
| Food and drink | $10 | $25 | $60 |
| Local transport | $5 | $10 | $25 |
| Activities | $5 | $20 | $45 |
Estimate from World Bank price levels (2025). Actual costs vary by city and season. World Bank
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We do not label countries as safe or unsafe. Below is the official advice from two governments, with the date it was last updated. Always read the full advice before you travel.
US Department of State
Level 2 of 4Exercise increased caution
Exercise increased cautionwhen traveling to Ghana due to crime, poor health infrastructure, violence against women, and violence against lesbian and gay travelers. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory. Crime Violent crime, such as carjacking, street mugging, assault, and rape occurs in Ghana. These crimes often happen at night and in remote locations. Criminal groups may use blockades to slow down or stop vehicles. Stay aware of your surroundings, especially when walking or driving at night. Do not physically resist any robbery attempt. Crimes of opportunity, including petty theft, are a serious problem in Ghana. Thieves often target people who seem wealthy or vulnerable. These crimes usually happen at night and in remote places. Always stay aware of your surroundings, especially if you are walking by yourself. Sexual assault, such as rape, is significantly underreported in Ghana. Domestic violence is a crime in Ghana, but police rarely respond to reports of domestic violence. Female genital mutilation and cutting (FGM/C) and child marriage under the age of 18 is illegal in Ghana. However, both remain a serious problem for girls younger than 18 in some regions. Poor health infrastructure Medical infrastructure is limited in Ghana. There are limited emergency medical services outside of Accra. Serious medical emergencies in Ghana require medical evacuation. Make sure your insurance includes medical evacuation coverage. Violence involving Sexual Orientation Ghanaian law makes it illegal for people of the same sex to have sexual relationships.…
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
Advises against all but essential travel to parts of the country
Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). Areas where FCDO advises against all but essential travel Bawku Municipality FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the Bawku Municipal area in the Upper East region of Ghana. Find out why FCDO advises against travel to Bawku Municipality. Before you travel No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to: see general advice for women travellers read our guide on disability and travel abroad see general advice for LGBT+ travellers read about safety for solo and independent travel see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad Travel insurance If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency. About FCDO travel advice FCDO provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice. Get travel advice updates Sign up to get email notifications when this advice is updated. Follow FCDO: travel advice on X travel advice on Facebook Travel Aware on Instagram
Stories, itineraries and practical advice for travelling in Ghana.
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