Capital city in Greater Accra, Ghana
Accra
West Africa's easiest capital for a first solo trip: English everywhere, friendly people, strong nightlife, beaches and day trips. Traffic, floods, chaotic markets and anti-LGBTQ+ attitudes are the trade-offs.
At a glance
- Safety4/5Safe with normal careDetails
- Monthly budget$1,210–2,160Comfortable, one person · GH₵14,000–25,000Details
- Value for money54/100Better value than 53% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goNov–MarWarmest: Feb, 30°CDetails
- Tap waterNo, drink bottledTap water is not for drinking.Details
- LGBTQ+2/5HostileDetails
- Solo travel5/5English: widely spokenDetails
- Doctor's visit$22–60Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundBoltWalkable centerDetails
- Cash or cardMixed: cards and cashCards work in malls, hotels and many Osu restaurants; cash or mobile money for trotros, markets and street food.Details
Where to stay in Accra
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Osu | Nightlife, restaurants, hostels and shops; central and busy |
| Cantonments–Airport Residential | Upscale, embassies, malls; quieter apartments |
| East Legon | Expats, cafés, gyms and coworking; residential and car-reliant |
| Labone–Ringway Estates | Mid-range stays, cafés and bars near Osu |
| Labadi–Teshie beaches | Beach days and local food; not for long stays |
Apps that work in Accra
Ride-hailing
Food delivery
| App | Notes |
|---|---|
| Glovo | Restaurants and groceries across central Accra |
| Chowdeck | Local favourite for restaurant delivery |
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: WhatsApp
- MTN MoMo: Paying locals if you hold a Ghana SIM
- STC: Intercity coach tickets and routes
- Taxis: Street taxis do not use meters; settle a price first. Apps remove haggling and give a trip record.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Ghana.
- Mixed: cards and cash Cards work in malls, hotels and many Osu restaurants; cash or mobile money for trotros, markets and street food.
- Currency: Cedi (GHS). US$1 ≈ GH₵11.60 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: Withdrawal limits are often 1,000–2,000 GHS per transaction; fees vary by bank. Use ATMs inside bank branches or malls.
- Tipping: 10% is welcome in restaurants if no service charge is added; round up taxis and give small notes to porters.
- Paying by phone: MTN MoMo and Telecel Cash dominate locally but need a registered Ghana SIM; foreign cards work at larger shops. Apple Pay is not common.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Most nationalities need a visa arranged before travel through a Ghanaian embassy or its online system; check the Ghana Immigration Service and embassy pages.
- A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for entry and is checked at Accra airport.
- Passport must be valid six months beyond arrival; declare cash over the equivalent of USD 10,000.
Emergency numbers
Police 191 · Ambulance 193 · Fire 192 · All emergencies 112
Plugs
Type D, G · 230 V, 50 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Buy at the Accra airport (KIA) kiosks or carrier shops; SIM registration with passport and Ghana Card or visitor ID is required. Roughly 50–150 GHS for a month of data. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in Ghana
Going to Accra solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Accra meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.