Which coastal West African country is best to visit for art, safety, affordable, interesting, beaches?

Question

Among:
Ghana, Togo, Benin, Gambia, Senegal, SierraLeone, Guinea,Mauritania,Ivory Coast, Cameroon

I'd also like to know which are the worst?

Answer 1

Ghana is one of the safest countries on West Africa.
I can't tell you the worst countries because i only know Togo,Gambia and Ivory Coast,so i'll be unfair to the rest.

Ivory Coast(Cote D'ivoire) is good for the beauty of the country.Cote D'ivoire has a little susfitication like America and it it unlike any Africa country."Well-civilized(Ivoriens are more law abidding),"however,it is volatile(war).
http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0107434.html

Togo(voodooland), great culture and traditions.Lots of tourist sites(mostly shrines).

http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0108038.html
Gambia
http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0107560.html

Ghana
http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0107584.html

Answer 2

Senegal has art from all over Africa, but particularly west Africa so it's a great place to start for art and great music.

I'm told Sierra Leone has the best beaches in Africa but I haven't been there, and it's probably not the safest country on your list...but I know plenty of aid workers who have been to those beaches.

Senegal has some of the best beaches, such as the tourist spot of Cap Skiring, and there is scuba diving on the Pointe des Almadies. Lomé, the capital of Togo, is on the shore; you can swim, water-ski or jet-ski on the Lac de Togo, situated 15 miles east of Lomé and bordered by an enchanted forest. Alternatively, take a canoe ride in a pirogue to the villages on the other shore.

Cameroon's unspoiled Kribi resort has fine golden sand, palm trees and good swimming at Londji beach, with fishing villages nearby. And near its coastal town of Limbé and the active volcano Mount Cameroon, you'll find black sands and ideal swimming conditions. In Mauritania, you can waterski and fish in Nouadhibou, and watch the fishermen bring home their catch from the Plage des Pêcheurs.

None of these countries are particularly cheap -- you can of course be a true budget traveller but that is pretty rough living since you will pay for comfort, convenience, and sanitation.

Answer 3

Hi Tom,

I'm an American living in Ghana, so naturally I'm partial to it. It's a very safe country, lovely beaches (well, as long as you're outside of Accra, the capital), wonderful art, good prices, stable economy, no civil war ;-)

If you're interested, take a look at tripadvisor forums for some ideas. Again, I'm partial as I'm the so-called "local expert."

And the added benefits, is that it is an English speaking country, so unless you're fluent in French, it might be a good choice. Also, you can fly direct out of JFK or BWI, and not have to go through Europe.

Barb

Answer 4

Senegal.

Answer 5

Mali should be interesting. Music is great but when in Mali you should visit Timbuktu.

Answer 6

Ghana... no question... especially if you are english speaking...