First Time Travel to Ghana: What to Know Before You Go

Ghana is one of West Africa’s most welcoming gateways: English is widely spoken, people are famously warm, and the coast-to-savannah geography makes it easy to build a trip that mixes culture, history, and nature. If this is your first time, here’s a practical primer to help you arrive confident and leave inspired.

When to go
Ghana has two main seasons along much of the coast: a dry season (roughly Nov–Mar) and a rainy season (roughly Apr–Jul, with a shorter minor rainy season in Sep–Oct). You can visit year-round; pack light, breathable clothing and a compact rain jacket.

Where to base yourself
Most first-timers land in Accra. Plan at least a couple of days for markets (Makola), arts (Artists Alliance, Nubuke), the Osu dining strip, and day trips to Aburi Hills. To experience a quieter coastline and heritage sites, continue west to the Nzema area. Venice View Beach Resort in Baku (Western Region) is an easy beachfront base at an affordable $50/night. From here, you can canoe to Nzulezu, a centuries-old village built on stilts over water, and visit Fort Appolonia, a stark reminder of the transatlantic slave trade. The contrast of serene beaches and deep history makes the Nzema stretch unforgettable.

Health & safety basics
Consult a travel clinic for recommended vaccinations and malaria prophylaxis. Use bottled or filtered water, and carry hand sanitizer for markets and road trips. Ghana is generally safe, especially if you use registered taxis or rideshare apps and avoid isolated beaches at night.

Money & connectivity
Cash (Ghanaian cedis) is king outside big-city hotels, but ATMs are common in cities. Mobile Money (MoMo) is widely used; ask your hotel to help you pay vendors securely. Local SIMs (MTN, Vodafone, AirtelTigo) with data are easy to buy with a passport.

Cultural cues
Greetings matter: a smile, handshake, and a quick “good morning/afternoon” go far. Dress modestly for shrines and memorials. Always ask before photographing people.

Sample first-time itinerary

Days 1–2: Accra — Markets, art spaces, Independence Square, Jamestown walk.

Days 3–5: Western Region (Nzema) — Base at Venice View Beach Resort ($50/night); boat trip to Nzulezu, tour Fort Appolonia, sunset on the beach, coastal village visits, and crab hunting with local fishers.

Days 6–7: Cape Coast/Elmina or Volta Region — Choose more forts/museums or a nature fix at Wli Falls.

Special opportunity
In a unique community-building initiative, the C.E.O. of Venice View Beach Resort is offering free plots of land in the Nzema area, with the caveat that recipients begin development within one year of allocation. If you’re exploring a deeper connection to the region, ask the resort about eligibility and next steps.