Black Beauty Tours | Ghana: Travel Info

Travel Info

Below is some useful information and advice for visitors to Ghana. While every attempt has been made to keep the information as up to date and accurate as possible, please corroborate the information provided below with their official source before travelling to Ghana.

Entry & Exit Requirements: All visitors are required to have a passport and visa, except for citizens of countries belonging to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), as well as evidence of yellow fever vaccination. If you plan on entering the country multiple times during your visit, a multi-entry visa will be required.

Travelers should obtain the latest information from their local Ghanaian Embassy.

Medical & Health Info: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for all travelers unless there are medical reasons preventing you from taking the vaccine. In this situation you should check with the Ghana Embassy and obtain an exception certificate from a yellow fever center. Although not required, it is also wise to be up to date on your tetanus, polio, diphtheria, hepatitis A and typhoid vaccinations.

Malaria is a concern for most travellers to Africa. Although there is no vaccination against Malaria, various prophylactic drugs offer a level of protection against the disease. These drugs usually have to be taken a week or two before travelling to Ghana. Check with your doctor for the appropriate drug and dosage.

There are hospitals, private clinics and pharmacies in most large towns with English speaking doctors and staff. Travelers should carry a supply of any needed prescription medicines, along with copies of the prescriptions, including the generic name for the drugs, and a supply of preferred over the counter medications.

Check with your country's travel advisory for the latest health update regarding travelling to West Africa and Ghana in particular.

Customs: Visitors entering or departing Ghana with more than $ 5,000 (US) in cash are required to declare the amount upon entry or departure from Ghana. The Government of Ghana also prohibits departing travelers from carrying more than 5000 cedis out of the country. Ghanaian currency must either be spent or exchanged before departure, or it will be confiscated.

Water: Travelers to Ghana are advised to drink only bottled water or boil any water they drink. Bottled water is available in most hotels and can also be purchased at most supermarkets.

Food: Local Ghanaian food is refreshingly tasty and distinctly spicy, compared to other dishes served in most parts of Africa. Among the many starch-based staples you're likely to encounter, the most popular are fufu, kenkey, banku, jollof rice, waakye, tuo zafi (TZ), omo tua (rice ball), boiled yams and fried plantain.

There are several restaurants in all major cities which also serve dishes from all around the world. You'll find everything from Chinese food to Middle-Eastern dishes to classic American burgers. You can also get most of your meals with shito, the spicy traditional Ghanaian hot-sauce.

Hotel & Accommodations: There are more than 600 registered hotels and lodging facilities in Accra, other regional capitals, and major towns. These hotels range from the most exquisite of 5-star hotels to low cost accommodations for people traveling on a budget.

Weather: The refreshing Gulf of Guinea breezes keep the coast a bit cooler than in the north with year- round high 20s°C (low 70s°F) temperatures being the norm. Unless the slightly wetter months of May and June deter you, any time of the year is a good time to visit. In Northern Ghana, May to October experiences the most rainfall while the other months have plenty of sun and temperatures are in the high 30°C (high 90°F).

Clothing & Protection: Wear light, breezy summer clothing and comfortable shoes. Due to the intense scorching sun, applying sun block is a really good idea.

Money/Foreign Exchange: The local currency is the Cedi. Do expect to conduct most local transactions in this tender. Currency exchange is available at most banks and at licensed foreign exchange bureaus. Make it a point to count your money before you leave the premises, as mistakes cannot be rectified later. Currency conversion transactions with private citizens are illegal. Note that travelers checks usually have a lower conversion rate than cash transactions.

Crime & Safety: Most visits to Ghana are trouble-free, but it is wise to be vigilant in public areas particularly in and around Accra and to avoid travelling in taxis alone after dark if possible. Visitors should avoid carrying large sums of cash or valuables on them and should be vigilant when drawing money from ATMs in central Accra.

Electricity: Electrical current is 200/220 volts, 50 Hz. Any electrical appliances brought in should be adaptable to 220 volts. Three-pronged plugs are the most commonly accepted.

Airports: The Kotoka International Airport located in Accra, Ghana's capital, is the port of entry of international flights into the country. There are airports in other major cities for trans-regional airline travel. All tour packages provided by Black Beauty Tours usually include arrival and departure transfers between the airport and hotel. International travel requires check-in at least 2 1/2 hours before scheduled flight departure.

Public Holidays

1st January (New Years Day)
6th March (Independence Day)
Good Friday
Easter Monday
1st May (May Day)
4th June (Revolution Day)
1st July (Republic Day)
1st Friday in December (Farmers Day)
25th December (Christmas Day)
26th December (Boxing Day)