Major city · Ghana
Shama
Half-day stop between Sekondi-Takoradi and Elmina: see Fort St. Sebastian, walk the beach, then move on.
Shama is a quiet coastal town on the Ghanaian Coastal Plain, about 25 km east of Sekondi-Takoradi. Its main draw is Fort St. Sebastian, a UNESCO-listed Portuguese fort, and the uncrowded beach. Most travellers visit as a short stop between Cape Coast and Takoradi or as a half-day trip from Sekondi-Takoradi.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- GHS
- Best months
- Nov–Mar, Aug
- avoid Apr–Jun (rainy season)
- Airport
- TKD
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Carry an original yellow fever vaccination certificate on…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- West Africa ↗Carry an original yellow fever vaccination certificate on any West African trip: several countries on the coast road demand it of every arrival, and the rest demand it after you have passed through a neighbour.
- West Africa ↗Cross land borders and drive between cities in daylight only; plan each crossing as a full travel day with cash for fees and passport copies for checkpoints.
- Ghana ↗Check visa and entry rules for your passport with the Ghana Immigration Service or a Ghanaian mission before booking; many nationalities need a visa in advance.
- Ghana ↗Check the yellow-fever vaccination certificate rules for Ghana before you fly; carry the certificate with your passport if you have one.
- Ghana ↗Do not photograph police, military sites, airports or the presidential buildings.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Shama191 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Shama, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Ghanaian cedi (GHS, GH₵).Ghana-wide
- SIM or eSIMMTN has the widest coverage, with Telecel (ex-Vodafone) and AT as alternatives…Ghana-wide
- Tap waterNot safe from the tap.Ghana-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 5–10% if no service charge is added.Ghana-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets D/G. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): fits · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Ghana-wide
- SafetyShama is generally safe.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in hotels, malls and restaurants; public toilets charge a few cedis.Ghana-wide
- Emergency numbers191 police · 192 fire · 193 ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysSunday mornings are for church and many shops open late; offices close on public holidays.Ghana-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckTKD Takoradi Airport (About 25 km (16 mi) east; domestic flights from Accra (check)).TKD Takoradi Airport (About 16 mi (25 km) east; domestic flights from Accra (check)).
- Getting aroundTricycles, motorcycles and taxis.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- BeerBeer (bottle)GH₵8–15
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi from Shama junction to Sekondi-TakoradicheckGH₵30–50
- Budget bedGuesthouse room, a night, per roomGHS 150
- Mid-range bedGuesthouse room, a night, per roomGHS 250
- High-end bedGuesthouse room, a night, per roomGHS 400
A day, not counting the bed: Budget GHS 200 · Mid GHS 400 · High GHS 800
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- TKD Takoradi Airport (About 25 km (16 mi) east; domestic flights from Accra (check))TKD Takoradi Airport (About 16 mi (25 km) east; domestic flights from Accra (check))
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Feb
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Mar
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Apr
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
May
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Jun
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Jul
not flagged
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Aug
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Sep
not flagged
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Oct
not flagged
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Nov
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Dec
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Best: Aug, Nov–Mar. Avoid: Apr–Jun. Month by month →
Warmest Feb (32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)), coolest Jul (22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C) low), wettest Jun (16 rain days), driest Jan (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Shama: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
2 rd
Feb
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
3 rd
Mar
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
5 rd
Apr
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
7 rd
May
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12 rd
Jun
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
16 rd
Jul
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12 rd
Aug
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
10 rd
Sep
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
12 rd
Oct
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
10 rd
Nov
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
5 rd
Dec
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
2 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Tricycles, motorcycles and taxis. The town is small enough to walk between the fort and the beach. Loading taxis (shared) and dropping taxis (private) are available.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Fort St. Sebastian
goDoor to door: 5 min
Walk from the town centre
UNESCO World Heritage Site; check opening hours locally.
Sekondi-Takoradi
goDoor to door: 30–40 min
Taxi or tro-tro from Shama junction
Larger city with markets, restaurants and the railway museum.
Elmina
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Tro-tro or bus via the main road
Elmina Castle and the fishing harbour.
Cape Coast
goDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Tro-tro or bus via the main road
Cape Coast Castle and Kakum National Park.
Busua
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Taxi or tro-tro via Sekondi-Takoradi
Surf beach and lodges.
Nzulezo
goDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Taxi or tro-tro to Beyin, then canoe
Stilt village on Lake Tadane.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Town centre
Near the fort and beach; a few guesthouses.
Shama junction
On the main Accra–Takoradi road; more transport options.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- GH₵200–350 excl. bed
- Mid
- GH₵350–600 excl. bed
- High
- GH₵600+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Guesthouse room1 × 1 night × GHS 150 | GHS 150 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × GHS 200 | GHS 200 |
| Tro-tro from Shama junction to Sekondi-Takoradi1 × GHS 10 · check | GHS 10 |
| Taxi from Shama junction to town centre1 × GHS 5 · check | GHS 5 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | GHS 37 |
| Trip total≈ GHS 402 per person per day, bed included | GHS 402 |
2026 estimate in Ghanaian cedis (GHS).
Prices of common things
| Tro-tro from Shama junction to town centrecheck | GH₵5 |
| Taxi from Shama junction to Sekondi-Takoradicheck | GH₵30–50 |
| Bottle of water | GH₵2–5 |
| Local meal (fufu, jollof rice) | GH₵20–40 |
| Beer (bottle) | GH₵8–15 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- No ATMs in town: bring enough cedis from Sekondi-Takoradi or Cape Coast.
- Fort St. Sebastian may be closed without notice: check locally before walking there.
- Beach currents can be strong: ask locals before swimming.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 191
- Fire
- 192
- Ambulance
- 193
- General emergency
- 112
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
ShamaShama
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Kɔ adresa yi so, mepaakyɛwTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police191
- Fire192
- Ambulance193
- General emergency112
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Tro-tro Shama junction → Sekondi-Takoradi: about GH₵10 (check)
- Taxi Shama junction → town centre: about GH₵5 (check)
Say or show
- Akwaaba — Hello (ah-kwah-bah)
- Medaase — Thank you (meh-dah-seh)
- Eden? — How much? (eh-den)
- Aane / Dabi — Yes / No (ah-neh / dah-bee)
- Mepaakyɛw — Please (meh-pah-chay)
Twi (Akan) is widely spoken; English is official.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Shama. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Nov–Mar, Aug · avoid Apr–Jun (rainy season) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 6 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Fort St. Sebastian page with verified opening hours and entry fee.
- Beach safety page with current conditions and lifeguard info.
- Guesthouse pages with contact details and booking links.
Sources
Ask about Shama
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