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Ghana · Safety report last updated
As of October 2026, Cape Coast scores 78/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — generally safe. Cape Coast is generally safe for visitors, but requires a high degree of caution due to specific risks. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and tourist-targeted scams.
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Ghana · Assessed 13 October 2026
78
/ 100
What drives this score
01 · Official Guidance
Advises against all travel to parts of the country
“Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). Areas where FCDO advises against all but essential travel Bawku Municipality FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the Bawku Municipal area in the Upper East region of Ghana.”
Updated 2026-10-07T10:25:24Z
Full advisory →Exercise a high degree of caution
“Canada's official risk level for Ghana: exercise a high degree of caution.”
Updated 2026-09-24T08:53:34.054319-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Mugging & robbery risk
City SignalCity Web Research
Pickpocketing & theft risk
City SignalCity Web Research
Visitor safety sentiment
City SignalCity Web Research
Urban scale factor
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
Robbery / mugging
LowWhile violent crime is low, opportunistic theft can occur, particularly in tourist areas.
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing and bag-snatching are risks in crowded markets and tourist sites.
03 · Environment
04 · Institutions
05 · Field Research
Traveller sentiment score
Mostly positive
87/100
A high percentage of residents report feeling safe walking alone after dark, indicating a generally secure environment for day-to-day activities.
Cape Coast is generally safe for visitors, but requires a high degree of caution due to specific risks.
While Cape Coast has a low crime rate and a high percentage of residents feel safe walking alone at night, travelers should be aware of the government's 'exercise a high degree of caution' advisory for Ghana. Road safety is a significant concern, and petty crime can occur.
Recent developments
Common scams
Full briefing
Cape Coast presents a generally safe environment for travelers, with a low homicide rate and a high sense of personal security reported by residents. However, official advisories from Canada and the UK recommend exercising a high degree of caution for Ghana overall, suggesting a need for vigilance.
Recent news indicates that Cape Coast is actively working to boost tourism, with attractions like the castles extending hours. There are also ongoing efforts to improve road safety, a critical area given Ghana's higher-than-average road traffic death rate. While violent crime is not a major concern for visitors, opportunistic petty theft, including pickpocketing and bag-snatching, can occur in busy areas like markets and around historical sites.
Travelers should be mindful of potential scams, such as overcharging by taxi drivers, and always be aware of their surroundings. The World Health Organization notes a lower-than-average number of hospital beds per capita, underscoring the importance of preventative health measures and travel insurance. Consult the CDC for current health advisories, including vaccinations for polio, dengue, and measles.
Was this Cape Coast, Ghana report helpful?
06 · Neighbourhoods
Our field research rated 8 Cape Coast districts for visitors: 4 safer, 3 needing caution and 1 best avoided. See them plotted on the Cape Coast safety map.
Pedagang (near lagoon)avoidInformal settlement with higher petty crime and limited policing; avoid, especially at night.
Kotokuraba Market areacautionBusy market with moderate pickpocketing and bag-snatching risk; avoid flashing valuables.
BakaanocautionResidential area with infrequent reports of opportunistic theft; exercise caution after dark.
Winneba Road corridorcautionHeavy traffic and occasional roadside theft; remain alert in vehicles and avoid walking alone at night.
Cape Coast Central (around Cape Coast Castle)saferWell-patrolled tourist zone with historic sites; petty theft possible but violent crime rare.
Elmina (Elmina Castle area)saferTourist-focused with regular police presence; pickpocketing risk in crowds, especially evenings.
University of Cape Coast vicinitysaferGenerally secure campus area; occasional student protests but low risk to visitors.
Abraham CrescentsaferQuiet residential zone popular with expats; low crime incidence and good lighting.
07 · After Dark
83% of people in Ghana say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2019).
While violent crime is low, opportunistic theft can occur, particularly in tourist areas.
After dark, be most careful around Pedagang (near lagoon), Kotokuraba Market area, Bakaano, Winneba Road corridor. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Cape Coast is generally safe for visitors, but requires a high degree of caution due to specific risks. While Cape Coast has a low crime rate and a high percentage of residents feel safe walking alone at night, travelers should be aware of the government's 'exercise a high degree of caution' advisory for Ghana. Road safety is a significant concern, and petty crime can occur. (Assessed 13 October 2026.)
Safety is not one number, and this Cape Coast report does not pretend it is: the score is re-weighted for who is travelling. A woman travelling alone, a family with children and a solo backpacker face different street-level risks, so the headline score shifts and the report leads with the findings that matter for that group. Personalize this report in one click to see the 2026 score and safety briefing for your specific travellers.
Field research flags Pedagang (near lagoon) as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
Cape Coast ranks #2 of 7 Ghana destinations we've assessed, scoring 78/100. See the Ghana safety overview for the full list.
The score blends 12+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, FBI crime data for U.S. cities, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry the bulk of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries the rest. Full methodology.
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Raw data: cape-coast.json (CC BY 4.0).
