Backpacking Ghana
Looking for important travel information while backpacking in Ghana? Here you will find information on working in Ghana, entry visas, Ghana hostels, and much more.
Why Backpack in Ghana?
Ghana is often called the “Gateway to West Africa” and for good reason. It’s welcoming, affordable, English-speaking, and offers a mix of golden beaches, lush rainforests, historic forts, and vibrant city life. Whether you’re strolling through Accra’s bustling markets, walking the canopy bridges of Kakum National Park, or relaxing on the beaches of Busua, Ghana offers a unique blend of cultural immersion and outdoor adventure.
Ghana is also one of the most stable and accessible countries in the region, making it a great first stop for travelers new to West Africa.
Quick Facts About Ghana
Ghana has a strong reputation for being one of the friendliest countries in Africa, particularly in the capital Accra which is a hive of activity. The country offers the typical palm-lined tropical beaches as well as areas of rainforest and plenty of remnants of a colonial past. Combining this with a long line of traditional African craft, art and culture makes Ghana a perfect country for backpackers. Once part of the historic Ashanti culture, then conquered by the British during the colonial period Ghana seems to have emerged with a national identity that has only become stronger throughout the ages.
Currency: Ghanaian Cedi (GHS)
Language: English (official) + many local languages
Daily budget: $25–50 USD for budget travelers
Best time to visit: November–March (dry season)
Plugs: Type G (UK-style)
Visa: Many travelers need a visa — check the Ghana Immigration Service for up-to-date rules
Best Time to Visit Ghana
The dry season (November–March) is the most popular for backpackers — sunny weather makes beaches, hiking trails, and road travel much easier.
The rainy season (April–June, September–October) brings lush greenery but can cause travel delays. Shoulder months often mean fewer crowds and lower prices.
Top Places to Visit in Ghana
When deciding the best things to do in Ghana, there is an abundance of options. Here are the top bucket-list items when backpacking Ghana.
1. Accra – Culture, Food, and Nightlife
The capital city Accra is one of Africa’s most desirable destinations, the friendliness of the citizens is unparalleled, making this city a perfect introduction to Africa. There are two main marketplaces, each with a different speciality. The Kaneshie market on the west of the city sells mainly foods and spices and is a fantastic place to sample the local cuisine. On the other hand, the central Makola Market is the place to head for souvenirs particularly beads, carvings or batik. Also worth seeing is the Arts Centre, which is the home of the best craft market in the country and is also packed with street performers and other entertainers. Accra is also famous for its nightlife, it hosts numerous bars and drinking spots but its real highlight is the dance clubs which fuse western dance music with traditional African dancing and music. Accra also has several good beaches within easy reach, the most convenient is Coco beach which is only a few miles from the city.
Must Sees: Visit Makola Market for colorful fabrics, try local street food like kelewele (spicy fried plantains), and explore the Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum. By night, dance to Afrobeat rhythms in Labadi or Osu.
Budget Tip: Shared minibuses (tro-tros) are the cheapest way to get around.
2. Kumasi
The other key destination in Ghana is Kumasi, this city was once the capital of the Ashanti kingdom and is a definite cultural centre. The main draw is the National Cultural Centre which is an enormous complex chronicling every aspect of Ashanti civilization. As well as the exhibits there is a library and an exhibition hall which offer visitors the opportunity to take workshops in traditional Ashanti dance or drumming. Also of note is the Manhyia Palace which despite its name is not as grandiose as Europeans come to expect. Other attractions include the zoo and the site of the famous Anokye Sword.
3. Cape Coast & Elmina – History and Heritage
The Cape Coast Castle and Elmina Castle are must-visit UNESCO World Heritage Sites, telling the powerful story of the transatlantic slave trade.
Stay overnight to enjoy the town’s beaches and seafood. Book ahead via Hostelworld for budget-friendly hostels near the water.
4. Kakum National Park – Canopy Walk Adventure
Just north of Cape Coast, Kakum offers a canopy walkway suspended 30 meters above the forest floor — a thrilling way to see Ghana’s rainforest.
Check AllTrails for trail maps and guided hike options.
5. Busua & Dixcove – Surfing and Beach Vibes
Busua is Ghana’s surf hub, with laid-back beach bars and friendly instructors for beginners. Dixcove, nearby, is a sleepy fishing village with a charming bay.
6. Mole National Park – Budget-Friendly Safari
One of the most affordable safari destinations in Africa, Mole offers walking and driving safaris to see elephants, antelope, warthogs, and more.
7. Volta Region – Mountains and Waterfalls
Home to Wli Waterfalls and Mount Afadja, this region is a paradise for hikers and nature lovers.
Hidden Gems in Ghana
Amedzofe: Mountain village with sweeping views
Nzulezo: Stilt village built over a lake
Ada Foah: Quiet riverfront town with beaches
Suggested Backpacking Itineraries for Ghana
7-Day Highlights
Days 1–2: Accra
Day 3: Cape Coast
Day 4: Kakum National Park
Days 5–6: Busua Beach
Day 7: Return to Accra
14-Day Culture & Adventure
Days 1–2: Accra
Days 3–4: Cape Coast & Elmina
Day 5: Kakum National Park
Days 6–8: Busua & Dixcove
Days 9–11: Mole National Park
Days 12–13: Volta Region
Day 14: Accra
Budget Breakdown
| Expense | Budget Option | Mid-Range Option |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $8–15/night dorm or guesthouse | $25–40/night guesthouse |
| Food | $3–7/day street food & local cafes | $10–20/day restaurants |
| Transport | $1–5 local buses/tro-tros | $10–20 taxis/private cars |
| Activities | $5–15/day | $20–40/day |
Average budget traveler daily spend: $25–50 USD.
Tours and activities in Ghana
Since popular places in Ghana can get crowded during tourist season, it is wise to reserve tickets and activities ahead of time. GetYourGuide sells entrance tickets to museums and landmarks at face value so you can avoid the lines and save that precious time for more exploring.
Viator is another popular travel website that helps you book things to do in Ghana. They work directly with local tour operators in Ghana, so you won’t have to scour the internet or roam around town trying to find the best deal.
How to Find Cheap Flights to Ghana
In order to find the best flights to Ghana we recommend using a few well-known flight comparison search engines. These websites offer powerful search options, like entering flexible dates and airports in order to find the cheapest flight to Ghana.
Our go-to flight search engine is Skyscanner, which we love for its extremely flexible search options. Our favourite way to get travel inspiration is their “Everywhere” feature. Simply enter “Everywhere” as a destination, and it will then list all available flights from your departure city in order of price. This also works when entering the entire country of Ghana as your destination. Skyscanner will search all possible airports in the country in order to find the cheapest option.
Kiwi is another new favourite flight search engine among savvy travelers. Kiwi works by combining flights from different carriers in order to get the best deal. Also, if there is a better ground or ferry option for the route you’re searching, Kiwi will include that in the search results. On average, we have found the cheapest flights to Ghana with them compared to the other websites out there.
There are some local airline companies with domestic service linking Ghana with other areas of Africa as well as with the wider world in general. Prices are obviously more expensive than overland travel but the service is useful for crossing large distances quickly perhaps as part of a longer African tour.
How to Travel Around Ghana on a Budget
Tro-tros: Cheapest way to get between towns and neighborhoods
Intercity buses: More comfortable and safer for long distances
Domestic flights: Save time on long trips (e.g., Accra to Tamale)
Ride-hailing: Bolt operates in Accra
Train Travel in Ghana
The rail network in Ghana is quite small, it is limited to a 1000km loop connecting Accra, Takoradi and Kumasi as well as several smaller towns en route. The service is basic but efficient and trains run from each station at least twice a day. There are two classes of travel but unfortunately, neither is air-conditioned. Children under 3 travel for free and those between 3 and 11 pay only half fares.
Bus Travel in Ghana
There are state-run and private coaches available between all major towns as well as local services linking the cities to outlying villages. The standard of the state-run buses has been slipping recently so it is normally better to use a private service where possible. Fares are quite cheap but expect buses to be crowded. There are also police checkpoints on some roads so take this into account when calculating journey times.
Health, Safety and Cultural Etiquette in Ghana
Greet people before asking questions or directions
Dress modestly outside beach areas
Keep valuables secure in markets
Drink bottled or filtered water
Be cautious of petty theft in crowded areas
Medical facilities exist in all major towns as well as regional capitals but treatment falls below international standards. Travel insurance is essential for any treatment and you should ideally purchase a policy which covers emergency evacuation should you require treatments which are beyond the facilities and expertise offered in Ghana.
A certificate of vaccination against yellow fever is an entry requirement for Ghana, you should contact your local GP about obtaining this vaccination. Cholera is a risk in the country although you should seek medical advice about the necessity of vaccination as current medical experts are divided on its effectiveness. Immunisation against typhoid is recommended and your GP should be able to administer this vaccination to you for around c40. There is a malaria threat throughout the country including reports of resistance to chloroquine, you should seek medical advice on the most appropriate anti-malaria treatment to take.
Tap water in the major cities is considered safe to drink but all other water sources should be treated as potentially contaminated and should be sterilised before use for any purpose. Milk is unpasteurised and should be boiled before use, dairy products should be avoided due to the high probability of having been made from improperly sterilised milk. Meat should be well cooked all of the way through and eaten hot, fruits and vegetables should be washed and where appropriate cooked or peeled before consumption.
What to Pack for Ghana
Light, breathable clothing
Good walking shoes/sandals
Rain jacket (if visiting in wet season)
Insect repellent & mosquito net
Reusable water bottle with filter (like LifeStraw)
Entry visa requirements for Ghana
All foreign visitors to Ghana require a visa valid for at least 3 months after the duration of intended stay as well as evidence of a return ticket. EU and US nationals also require a tourist visa for their stay. In theory, visas can be issued for up to 1 year but this is at the discretion of airport officials and only a 1-month stay can be guaranteed on a tourist visa. Costs vary according to nationality but for British citizens, the prices are c30 for a single entry visa, c40 for a multiple entry visa valid for six months, c60 for a multiple entry visa valid for a year and c70 for a multiple entry visa valid for 2 years. Those catching a connecting flight in Ghana can apply for a transit visa which is valid for 24 hours and costs c10. Applications should be made to the nearest Ghana Consulate or Embassy.
Ghana Hostels and Budget Accommodation
There are a few international standard hotels in Accra but elsewhere you may have to curb your desire for the height of luxury. Good quality hotels are widely available in all major urban areas, as are cheap budget hotels with very basic services. Hostels and guesthouses can be found throughout the country although they are again concentrated mainly in urban areas. The Ghana Tourism Board runs the grading system and can be contacted for more information regarding hotels in the country.
Beach huts are available in the more popular beach resort, these are generally constructed from local materials. Ghana Web can be contacted for more details on this type of accommodation. Camping is possible but it should be noted that in the game parks it can be quite dangerous and you will normally have to be accompanied by an armed guard.
We have had good experiences finding hostels on HostelWorld. They have the largest inventory of hostels worldwide, and with over 10 million reviews and ratings from other travellers, you know exactly what to expect.
Another good way to find accommodation in Ghana is by checking hotels.com and booking.com. With both sites, you’ll not only find hotels, but also homestays, hostels, and other unique accommodation. We have discovered some great finds and have appreciated the ability to book ahead. You can use their advanced filtering to narrow your results by budget, location score, overall review score, and amenities. Many of the places on booking.com also offer free cancellation, which takes the pressure off the planning phase of your trip.
Useful links for backpacking in Ghana
- Ghana Web is an excellent source of tourist information
- The Ghana Tourism Board dispenses official tourist information for foreign visitors to Ghana
- Kiwi, Skyscanner, and Opodo – Flight comparison search engines to find the cheapest flights to Ghana and within the country
- GetYourGuide and Viator – a collection of local tours and activities. Also offers Skip the Line tickets for crowded attractions
- Tiqets – Website selling entrance tickets and skip the line tickets for major attractions
- G Adventures – guided small group tours, great for solo travellers or for those interested in a more adventurous trip which would require a guide
- HostelWorld – #1 hostel search website. Thousands of hostels and millions of reviews from fellow travellers
- Booking.com – commonly used booking site. Hostels, hotels, and other unique accommodation with advanced filtering and millions of reviews
- Travel Insurance – read our comprehensive overview of Travel Insurance and some recommended providers
Final Thoughts on Backpacking in Ghana
Ghana offers the perfect balance of culture, nature, and warm hospitality. From historical sites to lush rainforests and laid-back beaches, it’s a destination that deserves more attention from the backpacking world. With a modest budget, a sense of adventure, and an open mind, Ghana could be your favorite travel memory.
There you have it, the ultimate Ghana backpacking guide. We hope you have found all the information you need for backpacking around Ghana.
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