Accra in July

July weather, activities, events & insider tips

July Weather in Accra

28°C (83°F) High Temp

23°C (73°F) Low Temp

64mm (2.5 inches) Rainfall

70% Humidity

Is July Right for You?

Advantages

Harmattan winds haven't arrived yet - clearer skies and better visibility for photography and sightseeing from June through August
Peak mango season continues - street vendors sell perfectly ripe mangoes at ₵2-5 ($0.35-0.85) each, and local varieties like Keitt are at their absolute best
University of Ghana campus is quieter with fewer students - easier access to Legon Saint Vincent and campus cultural sites without crowds
Minsk events happen in comfortable evening temperatures of 24°C (75°F) - perfect for outdoor concerts and cultural performances that run until 11pm

Considerations

Rainy season peak means 10-12 days of afternoon downpours that can flood Accra's low-lying areas like Kaneshie and parts of Ring Road for 2-3 hours
High humidity at 70-80% makes midday walking tours between 11am-3pm uncomfortable - you'll sweat through cotton shirts within 30 minutes
Some beach clubs close sections during heavy rain days, and surf conditions at Labadi and Kokrobite become unpredictable with strong currents

Best Activities in July

Kakum National Park Canopy Walks

July's cooler mornings (23°C/73°F at 7am) make the 40-minute drive to Cape Coast and 350m (1,148ft) canopy walk much more comfortable. The rain brings lush green forest and active wildlife - monkeys and birds are most active in the humid conditions. Afternoon rains usually hit after 3pm, giving you a full morning for the experience.

Booking Tip: Book morning slots (8am-11am) to avoid afternoon rains. Tours typically cost ₵150-300 ($25-50) including transport from Accra. Look for operators with covered vehicles for the return journey. Most reliable bookings are made 5-7 days ahead through licensed eco-tourism operators.

Jamestown Cultural Walking Tours

The historic fishing community comes alive in July's warm evenings. Start at 4pm when temperatures drop to 26°C (79°F) and fishing boats return with daily catches. July's rains create dramatic photo opportunities with storm clouds over Jamestown Lighthouse. The cooler, post-rain air makes the 2km (1.2-mile) walking route through Brazil House and Ussher Fort comfortable.

Booking Tip: Evening tours (4pm-7pm) work best to avoid midday heat and catch golden hour light. Expect to pay ₵80-150 ($13-25) for 3-hour guided walks. Book with community-based guides who know which days have the best fishing activity. Reserve 3-4 days ahead through local cultural centers.

Aburi Botanical Gardens Mountain Retreat

At 460m (1,509ft) elevation, Aburi is 3-5°C (5-9°F) cooler than Accra in July - a refreshing escape from coastal humidity. The gardens are spectacular after July rains, with blooming flowers and misty mountain views. The 45-minute drive up becomes scenic with green hillsides, and you can combine with visits to local bead-making workshops that operate rain or shine.

Booking Tip: Full-day trips including gardens and craft workshops cost ₵200-400 ($33-67). Mountain weather changes quickly in July, so tours with flexible indoor components work best. Book through operators with 4WD vehicles for rainy day road conditions. Reserve 1 week ahead during July.

Accra Arts Center and Cultural Markets

July's afternoon rains make covered cultural sites ideal. The Arts Center's indoor galleries showcase contemporary Ghanaian art, while the adjacent craft market offers shelter during downpours. Vendors are more willing to negotiate in July's slower tourist season. The humidity actually helps preserve traditional kente cloth and wooden sculptures you'll find here.

Booking Tip: Self-guided visits cost ₵20-40 ($3-7) entry, but guided cultural tours cost ₵100-200 ($17-33) for 2-3 hours. Look for guides certified by Ghana Tourism Authority. Best visited 10am-2pm before afternoon rains. Local craft workshops often run during rainy afternoons.

Laboma Beach and Coastal Village Tours

Less crowded than Labadi, Laboma Beach offers authentic fishing village experiences. July's dramatic skies create impressive sunset photography opportunities at 6:30pm. Morning surf lessons work well before 11am when waves are calmer. Local restaurants serve fresh catches daily, and the fishing community is most active during July's productive season.

Booking Tip: Beach and village combination tours cost ₵120-250 ($20-42) including fresh seafood lunch. Morning tours (8am-1pm) avoid afternoon storms. Look for operators offering both cultural immersion and beach activities. Book 5-6 days ahead for weekend availability.

Accra Food Market and Cooking Experiences

July brings peak season for local ingredients - fresh palm nuts, plantains, and yams are abundant and cheap. Makola Market bustles in the mornings before rain, and cooking classes move indoors during afternoon showers. You'll learn to prepare groundnut soup and jollof rice while staying cool. Many cooking schools offer climate-controlled spaces perfect for July's humidity.

Booking Tip: Half-day market and cooking experiences cost ₵180-350 ($30-58). Morning market visits (7am-10am) followed by indoor cooking sessions work best in July weather. Look for schools with backup indoor market tours for rainy days. Book 1-2 weeks ahead as local ingredients vary with weather.

July Events & Festivals

Late July

Chale Wote Street Art Festival

West Africa's largest street art festival transforms Jamestown with murals, performances, and installations. Local and international artists create works that celebrate Ghanaian culture. The festival includes live music, fashion shows, and food vendors operating into the evening when temperatures cool to 24°C (75°F).

Throughout July

Homowo Festival Preparations

Greater Accra's traditional harvest festival preparations begin in July with drumming, dance rehearsals, and food preparation ceremonies. You'll witness communities preparing kpokpoi (traditional corn meal) and see elaborate costume fittings. Many neighborhoods hold practice sessions for the August celebration.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

Quick-dry polo shirts or moisture-wicking blends - cotton becomes uncomfortably damp in 70% humidity and takes hours to dry

Lightweight rain jacket with ventilation - afternoon storms bring 15-25mm (0.6-1 inch) in 30-45 minutes but temperatures stay warm at 26°C (79°F)

Waterproof phone case or dry bag - sudden downpours can soak belongings in seconds, and electronics don't recover well from tropical humidity

SPF 50+ sunscreen in travel sizes - UV index of 8 can cause burns in 15 minutes, and you'll reapply frequently due to sweat and humidity

Closed-toe walking shoes with good grip - Accra's sidewalks become slippery when wet, and some areas flood 5-10cm (2-4 inches) deep

Small umbrella that fits in daypack - more practical than rain jacket for quick shopping trips and market visits

Electrolyte powder or tablets - you'll lose significant salt through sweat in humid conditions, especially during 2-3 hour walking tours

Antifungal foot powder - closed shoes in tropical humidity create perfect conditions for athlete's foot if you're walking 5-8km (3-5 miles) daily

Power bank in waterproof case - phone batteries drain faster in heat, and you'll use GPS frequently for navigating Accra's complex street layout

Lightweight long pants for evening - mosquitoes are more active after July rains, and some cultural sites require covered legs

Insider Knowledge

Taxis and Uber drivers avoid certain routes during afternoon rains due to flooding - Routes through Kaneshie, Abossey Okai, and parts of Ring Road can be impassable for 1-2 hours. Plan indoor activities from 2pm-5pm or use these hours for hotel rest time.

Local 'pure water' sachets cost ₵0.50 versus ₵8-12 for bottled water at tourist sites - buy boxes of 30 sachets at any corner store for day trips. Locals drink these exclusively and they're perfectly safe from licensed producers.

Ghanaian time typically runs 30-60 minutes late, but this gets worse in July rain - If invited to cultural events or community gatherings, arrive 45 minutes after stated time. However, tour pickups and business appointments run on strict schedule.

Air conditioning in shared taxis (trotros) rarely works, but local buses are often cooler - For trips under 10km (6 miles), Metro Mass Transit buses cost ₵2-4 and have better ventilation than packed taxis during humid weather.

Avoid These Mistakes

Booking only morning activities - afternoon rains from 1pm-4pm are perfect for museum visits, shopping malls, or hotel pool time, but many visitors pack their schedules with outdoor activities and get frustrated when weather doesn't cooperate

Wearing white or light clothing to markets - Accra's red dust mixed with July humidity creates permanent stains on white fabrics, and market areas can be muddy after rains. Dark colors hide inevitable dirt better.

Underestimating flooding impacts - what looks like a small puddle can be 30cm (12 inches) deep and hide potholes. Many tourists get stranded or ruin shoes by walking through seemingly shallow water in areas like Kwame Nkrumah Circle.