About Ghana
Visa
The basic tourist visa is valid for 3 months from the date of issue (so you don't want to apply too early, nor too late) and are required for all visitors except citizens of other West African countries in [ECOWAS](//www.ecowas.int/ "ECOWAS home on the web"). You are also required to have a return ticket from Ghana before applying for a visa.
We advise you to apply for your visa at least 4 weeks prior to departure.
Direct visa application and information from Embassies and High Commissions:
- United Kingdom - [ghana.embassyhomepage.com](//ghana.embassyhomepage.com/ "Ghana embassy in UK")
- Germany - [www.ghanaemberlin.de](//www.ghanaemberlin.de/ "Ghana embassy in Berlin")
- USA - [ghanaembassy.org](//ghanaembassy.org "Ghana embassy in the United States")
- Netherlands - [www.ghanaembassy.nl](//www.ghanaembassy.nl/ "Ghana embassy in the Netherlands")
- Scandinavia - [www.ghanaembassy.dk (serves entire Scandinavia)](//www.ghanaembassy.dk "Ghana embassy in Denmark, serves entire Scandinavia")
- Other - [www.embassy-worldwide.com/country/ghana/](//www.embassy-worldwide.com/country/ghana/ "Other embassies")
Vaccinations
**Please note:**
You need to be vaccinated, *and be able to show a valid certificate*, for yellow fever to enter Ghana. There have been cases where tourists haven't been able to enter Ghana because they forgot to bring their [International Certificate of Vaccination](//apps.who.int/bookorders/anglais/detart1.jsp) (the "yellow book"). Make sure to bring yours!
For extensive information on vaccinations when traveling to Ghana we recommend to consult your doctor six to eight weeks prior to departure. For more information visit [traveldoctor.info](//traveldoctor.info/trip/result.3.63.1.html "Recommended vaccinations for travelling to Ghana").
Measures and facts
With an estimated population of more than 25 million people, Ghana is the 12 most populated country in the African continent. It borders with the Ivory Coast in the west, Burkina Faso to the north and Togo to the east.
Ghana spans an area of 238,535 km2 (92,099 sq mi), and has an Atlantic coastline that stretches 560 kilometres (350 miles) and lies between latitudes 4° and 12°N, and longitudes 4°W and 2°E. This makes Ghana the geographically closest country to the "centre" of the Earth than any other country in the World (0°, 0°).
Ghana implements the metric system, and drives on the right side of the road.
Weather and climate
There are two main seasons in Ghana, the wet and the dry seasons. Northern Ghana experiences its rainy season from March to November. The southern Ghana however, experiences the season from April to Mid-November. The warmest and driest period normally is in January-February when temperatures rise to about 33°C (92°F), and the coolest months are between June and August when the average high temperature rarely goes above 28°C (82°F).
The nights in Ghana stays at about 21°c (70°F) all year round, and humidity is also quite consistent at between 70 % to 80 % over the year.
[Weather in Kumasi, Ghana](//weather-and-climate.com/average-monthly-Rainfall-Temperature-Sunshine,Kumasi,Ghana)
Money
Currency in Ghana is Cedi (GHC) and can only be exchanged within Ghana. Ghana Safari Tours can help you with local currency upon arrival and help you with the visit to the bank. Visa cards will work in ATMs and cash machines.