Everything you Need to Know about Vacationing in Ghana
Are you considering vacationing in Ghana? In West Africa, formerly known as the Gold Coast, Ghana was the first sub-Saharan African country to gain independence post-colonialism. There are many reasons to visit Ghana, from experiencing the lively coastal cities to indulging in the culinary and arts scene and engaging with its emotional yet important history.
I spent nine days in Ghana, living my best life exploring Accra and the Cape Coast. Planning a trip to Ghana is no easy feat; there’s a lot of preparation involved.
Here’s everything you need to know to prepare for your vacation in Ghana:
Flight to Ghana
Most international flights to Ghana arrive in Accra’s Kotoka International Airport (ACC).
Ghana Travel Requirements
Yellow Fever Vaccine
The Yellow Fever vaccine is the only required vaccination for entry into Ghana. Yellow fever is a serious disease spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. The vaccine provides lifetime protection for most people. After receiving the vaccine, you should receive a stamped and signed “International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis” (Yellow Card).
This certificate becomes valid ten days after vaccination, so plan accordingly. When I arrived at ACC, airport officials randomly asked people for their Yellow cards. If you don’t have proof of immunization, they will give you the vaccine at the airport. However, because the vaccine takes a couple of days to work, I would advise against this.
The Centers for Disease Control recommends other vaccinations for Ghana. Check out their list and consult with your health care provider or local travel clinic before you travel.
Pro Tip: Typically nurses monitor you for 20 minutes after a vaccine injection, however, I suggest you ask for 30 minutes. I had an anaphylactic reaction to the Yellow Fever vaccine that happened 30 minutes post-vaccination while I was driving back home alone. I wouldn’t want this to happen to anyone else.
Health Declaration Form
All visitors (including children aged 5-12) must complete the Health Declaration Form no more than three days before traveling to Ghana.
Ghana Travel Visa
Residents of most countries require a visa to enter Ghana as tourists. You must obtain your Ghana visa prior to traveling to the country.
If you live near a consulate, I recommend you submit your application in person for a quicker turnaround time. The Ghana visa application consists of the following:
Printed requisite forms filled out
Two passport-sized photos
Copy of your flight itinerary
Proof of accommodations
Passport
I went in person to the Ghanaian consulate office in Manhattan to submit my documents and paid a $70 fee for a single-entry tourist visa. My visa was ready for pick-up in two weeks. If you decide to mail your visa application, allow a month for it to be returned to you.
Pro Tip: If you submit your application in person, bring your confirmation certificate. I left mine at home, thinking it wouldn’t be a big deal, but it caused me to wait an hour and a half longer for the staff to find my passport.
Traveler’s Health
Malaria medications (highly recommended): During my first visit to Ghana, I took no antimalarial medications but relied heavily on mosquito bite prevention. I treated my clothes with Permethrin and religiously applied mosquito repellent with DEET, and that worked well for me. For my second visit, I decided not to risk it and instead took antimalarial pills. There are several antimalarial medication options. I was prescribed Atovaquone-proguaniL (MALARONE) and tolerated them pretty well. Talk to your provider about which malaria medication is best for you.
Pro Tip: Many antimalarial meds require you to start taking the pills days or even weeks before your trip, so avoid waiting until the last minute to see your healthcare provider.
Antibiotics (suggested): It’s common to get traveler’s gut while traveling in Ghana. I was prescribed Ciprofloxacin to treat bacterial infections if I needed it.
Allergy medicine (suggested): During late December to early February, Ghana is impacted by the Harmattan, a dry, dusty wind that blows from the Sahara Desert. This may trigger allergies for some, so be sure to bring allergy medicines if you’re traveling during this time.
Ghana Packing List
lightweight Clothing
It is scorching in Ghana! To help keep you cool and dry, pack lightweight clothing made with natural fibers. These are the best materials to wear in Ghana. It sometimes gets cool at night, so pack a sweater just in case.
Electrical Appliances
- Power plug adapter/voltage converter: The power plugs used in Ghana differ from those used in the U.S., so you will need a power plug adapter. The standard voltage in Ghana (230 V) is much higher than in the United States of America (120 V). If you are visiting Ghana from the U.S., you shouldn’t use your electronic appliances in Ghana without a voltage converter because you can seriously damage them.
- Power bank: Necessary to charge your appliances when you’re exploring with no electricity around
Portable fan: Helpful to have while exploring in Ghana’s heat
Health
- Compression socks: Depending on where you’re flying from, getting to Ghana may be a 6+ hour flight or more. Compression socks help reduce swelling and the risk of blood clots developing during long flights.
- DEET-based insect repellent: In Ghana, a number of diseases are spread through bugs like mosquitoes, fleas, or ticks. Using insect repellent can reduce your risk of getting bitten.
Permethrin spray: As an extra precaution, treat your clothes with Permethrin spray before you arrive.
Sunscreen with SPF: Protect your skin from the sun with sunscreen with an SPF of at least 50. Apply the sunscreen first, then the DEET on top of it.
Hydration packets: Sometimes, when traveling, it’s hard to drink as much water as you should. Hydration packets help with this because they provide the same hydration as drinking 2-3 bottles of water
Ghana Currency
Ghana’s currency is the Ghanaian Cedi. At the time of publication, the exchange rate was 1 USD to 5.40 GHS. I exchanged $100 at the airport to start the trip and later exchanged money at the Kempiski Hotel. It’s always good to have cash because not all restaurants and vendors accept debit and credit cards. ATMs are also widely available in Accra.
Internet Access
Local SIM cards and data are available at almost every street corner in Ghana. MTN and Vodafone are the primary mobile internet providers. You can expect to pay around 40 cedis for 2.5 GB of internet data for your phone. Wi-Fi is also available at some restaurants and hotels, but the speed varies.
Where to Stay in Ghana?
We stayed in a 2 bedroom/ 2 bathroom AirBnB (gated building with 24-hour security) in Osu. Our Airbnb was the perfect location as it was only 10 minutes from the airport and close to nightlife, attractions, and festival grounds. The owner, Ensy, was phenomenal and extremely accommodating. We checked into our apartment, and the fridge was stocked with some groceries to get us through the beginning of our stay. Admittedly, one of my favorite features of our Air BnB was our patio, which had the best natural light to take pre-going-out pictures.
Getting Around Ghana
We primarily used Uber to get around because rides were insanely cheap. For example, a 20-minute ride varied from 7 to 25 cedis. When calling an Uber, you can pay in cash or use a card on file within the app. You should opt for pay in cash because many Uber drivers will cancel your ride if you select to pay with a card. We also occasionally caught taxis on the street.
Collect their numbers if you find a taxi driver you are comfortable with. This will come in handy during busy nights when getting an Uber is difficult.
Pro Tip: Agree on the price with the driver before entering the car.
What to do in Ghana
Ghana in December
#decemberinGhana is a whole vibe. It’s the most festive time to visit Ghana, as there are endless events and parties to attend. Here are some of the can’t-miss events that only happen during this time:
Festivals in Ghana
We spent several days enjoying some of the major festivals in Ghana.
AfroFuture
AfroFuture is a celebration of black excellence! The festival brings together millennial African talent from around the world.
Afronation
Afronation is Europe’s biggest urban music festival, recently making its way to the African continent. It’s a four-day festival on the beautiful Labadi beach.
Detty Rave
Detty Rave is an annual star-studded music experience hosted by Mr. Eazi. It’s the biggest rave in Accra, and music fans look forward to it every year.
Accra Ghana Nightlife
There are endless opportunities to experience the magic of Accra nightlife. Here are some of the popular places we visited, ranging from chill to lit:
Chill— If you’re looking for low-key experiences
The Woods— This is a cute bar with great music, drinks, and some of the best kelewele (plantains) I’ve had in Ghana
Polo Beach Club—This was a 10-day pop-up beach club at the Labadi Beach Hotel in December. Many events were happening at the beach club. Go earlier in the day if you want a more chill vibe.
Purple Pub—This is a local favorite and a great place to pre-game with affordable drinks or for an after-hours spot to get food.
Lit— If you want something more lively try these best bars and nightclubs in Accra
- Pro Tip: To stay up to date on the best of Accra Ghana nightlife, follow BlacVolta.
Experiences in Ghana (what to do when you’re sober!)
For a detailed look into what you should do during your visit to Ghana, read my 7 Top Tourist Attractions in Ghana blog post. Below is a photo diary of my most recent experience:
Accra
Independence Square
Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park & Mausoleum
Batik Fabric Making
I booked this experience through Tastemakers Africa. It was a fun 2-hour experience where we learned the batik fabric technique and were able to make our own.
Cape Coast & Surrounding Area
Kakum National Park
Cape Coast Castle & Elmina Castle
Eastern Region
Akaa Waterfalls
There are many lovely waterfalls in Ghana, but the water flow can vary by season. Initially, I was concerned that the waterfalls would be parched because December is a dry season. But my visit to Akaa Waterfalls did not disappoint! It’s a lesser-known waterfall in the Eastern region and truly one of the most beautiful places in Ghana I’ve visited. I connected with a local travel consultant, Cycy, to book this unique experience. You can easily add a stop at the Aburi Gardens to this day trip.
Food in Accra
Jollof is the one thing you shouldn’t leave Ghana without trying. It’s a popular West African rice dish. There’s a huge debate about whether Nigerian Jollof or Ghanaian Jollof is better. Expect to eat a lot of chicken and rice dishes, plantains, fish, and stews in Ghana.
Bush Canteen
Honestly, it’s hard to have a bad meal in Ghana. But when in doubt, always ask the locals. That’s what we did, and we were directed to Bush Canteen, where I enjoyed a delicious meal of fufu, goat, and plantains for $4!
Where can you get your hair braided in Accra?
I got my knotless braids done in NYC before my trip, but a few friends went to the Hair Rack to get knotless, medium-sized waist-length braids for $80! This included washing, conditioning, and blow drying. This type of service would have easily been $400 in any high-quality salon in the U.S.
One thing that made my trip to Ghana so special was experiencing it with people who visited the African continent for the first time. Ghana is the perfect introduction to Africa because of its historical richness, dynamic culture, and fantastic food.
Watch my vlog of my Ghana experience below:
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