How to Find Luxury Hotels In Accra, Ghana

Accra is the capital and largest city of Ghana. Founded by the Ga people, its name means 'ants' after the many anthills in the fields surrounding the city. Accra today is known for its wealth and modernity, its beautiful beaches and sizzling night life.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Computer with internet access for making reservations.

Plan Your Trip to Accra, Ghana

1. Choose carefully during which season to travel: from April to June and September to November, Accra experiences a rainy season. From December to March, the harmattan, a dry wind that fills the air with sand, appears.

2. Explore Accra by taking the tro-tro, a private mini-bus that trolls the streets, picking up as many passengers as it can cram inside. Other options are taxis, buses or hiring a private car with a driver.

3. Visit the National Museum with its large collection of Ghanaian art.

4. Stroll over to Jamestown, Accra's oldest neighborhood. No luxury here, but a place to wander among local residents and experience the street bustle as well as the sight of the fishing harbor.

5. Venture further out into the country, where besides English, Ghana's official language, you may hear one of at least 7 local Ghanaian dialects.

Select Luxury Accommodations in Accra, Ghana

6. To book accommodations, contact Ghana Tourist Board at 011 ([phone] or visit the Web site (see Resources below). Find beautiful luxury accommodations along the beach. Four-star hotels with many fine restaurants and nightclubs in the vicinity will cater to your every need.

7. Explore accommodations in the 'Airport Residential Area,' Accra's most upscale neighborhood.

8. Avoid entrance fees to the beaches by staying at one of the luxury accommodations along the water. On weekends, performers entertain the crowd, asking for small donations.

9. Catch a taxi to your luxury accommodations in the city from Accra's own airport. Expect a great deal of congestion on the roads as you enter the city, and don't be surprised to find someone knocking on your taxi window to sell you food or other items as you sit in traffic.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't head home without purchasing a kente cloth, worn most often by Ghanaian men to signify their tribe or station in life. A great souvenir, it can be found at most bazaars.
• In an effort to encourage tourism and business travelers, Ghana grants visas at the airport and its borders. Visitors are also encouraged to stay indefinitely, as their patronage is beneficial to Ghana's economy.
• Take care if traveling outside of Accra to the north of Ghana, as there has been regional fighting over the years.