Dein Aufenthalt — Blue Cross
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Das Eigentum — Blue Cross
The Blue Cross is a straightforward, no-frills 3-star hotel in Bawku, with a concrete facade and a small lobby that smells faintly of disinfectant and groundnuts. Its USP is clean, functional rooms and reliable hot water in a town where both can be scarce. It suits budget-conscious travellers on cross-border or regional work trips who just need a safe, quiet base. Standing in the lobby you feel the weight of the Harmattan dust outside and the hum of an air conditioner that actually works.
Chroniken von Bawku
Bawku was established in the 18th century as a trading centre for the Kusasi people and later became a key market town for the north-eastern corner of Ghana. Its architecture is a mix of colonial-era single-storey government buildings and modern concrete structures built around the main roundabout. The town’s identity is shaped by its role as a border hub for trade with Burkina Faso and Togo, and by the annual Samanpiid Festival, which celebrates the harvest with displays of traditional dancing and horse-riding. Contemporary Bawku remains a tense but resilient place, known for its lively Saturday cattle market and the famous zebu cattle that roam the streets.
Beste Zeit zu besuchen
Vollständiger Bawku-Guide →Die besten Monate
November to February: clear skies, low humidity, daytime temperatures 28-35°C. The Harmattan wind blows dust but keeps the air dry and comfortable for exploring. Crowds are thin except around Christmas.
Peak / Festival Surge
July to October is the rainy season and also the busiest period for regional traders stockpiling goods before the roads become tricky. Hotel prices at the Blue Cross stay flat year-round at around GHS 250–300 per night, but availability drops during the Samanpiid Festival in late November. You should book 2-3 weeks ahead for that.
Budget Schulter Saison
March and April are just before the rains, offering slightly lower temperatures than May-June, with fewer travellers and negotiable rates. You can often get a room for GHS 220 if you ask at reception.
Wetter & Verpackung
Bawku’s punishing heat makes midday walks dangerous: pack a wide-brimmed hat, long-sleeved cotton shirts and a reusable 1.5L water bottle. The afternoons in July bring sudden, violent downpours that turn the main street into a river, so bring a waterproof jacket and sandals that can get wet.
Live City Briefing veröffentlicht — Bawku
- The ongoing construction of the Bolgatanga–Bawku highway has caused delays on the N11 route; expect 30-minute hold-ups near the Zongo market turn-off. Check road conditions at the Bawku Police barrier before setting out.
- The Bawku Central Market was renovated in late 2025: it now has covered stalls and a new lorry park for buses to Kumasi and Accra, but the area remains crowded on Saturdays.
- Cholera cases have been reported in the Binduri district 20 km away since June 2026. Drink only bottled water and avoid street food with raw vegetables.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Blue Cross, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a rear-facing room on the first floor. These are furthest from the Bawku main road, which can be busy with taxis and motorbikes. The first floor is high enough to avoid ground-level noise but low enough if the lift is unreliable (common in budget hotels in this region).
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms facing the street, especially on the ground floor. Street noise from traffic and hawkers is constant, and ground-floor rooms are more vulnerable to dust and burglary risks. Also skip rooms near the lift shaft on any floor — the lift can be noisy and used late.
Best views
Rear-facing rooms overlook the hotel’s own grounds or local compounds — more peaceful and private than the street view, which is mostly shops and dust.
Quietest floors
First floor is the most practical quiet option — high enough for some noise buffer, low enough to walk if the lift breaks down. Second floor may be quieter still if the lift is well-maintained.
🔊 Noise notes
Bawku’s main road is a thoroughfare for taxis, trotros, and motorbikes. Honking starts early (before 6am) and continues until late evening. Market days increase foot traffic and generator noise. The hotel’s own generators can also hum, particularly if it’s a 3-star with unreliable grid power.
Insider tips
1) Park your vehicle in the hotel’s secure rear lot if available — street parking is risky. 2) Bring earplugs; even the quieter rooms may pick up neighbourhood mosque calls and early market activity. 3) Check the air conditioning works before accepting the room — in Bawku, a broken AC can make sleep impossible.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Einrichtungen — Blue Cross
Free Wi-Fi in lobby and common areas. Speed moderate – suitable for messaging and browsing. No login credentials needed, just accepts terms.
No lift. Two-storey building with stairs only.
No digital newsstand. No physical newspapers provided.
Standard check-in 14:00–20:00. Late arrivals by prior arrangement. Bag drop from 10:00 if arranged. Late checkout fee GHS 50 per hour after 12:00.
Free luggage storage on request for same-day drop-off or post-checkout, held at reception.
No step-free main entrance. Two steps at front door. No wheelchair-accessible rooms or bathrooms.
Free on-site parking for approx 6 cars behind the building. No valet. Nearest public car park is about 500 m south along Bawku Market Road. No EV charging.
Gebühren, Steuern & Einlagen
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking; GHS 100 incidental hold on arrival.
Geld & Währung
Get a travel card →Ghanaian Cedi, GHS
Use forex bureaux in Bawku town centre for the best rates; avoid airport and tourist-area exchanges as they give poor rates.
Card and mobile money (MTN MoMo, Vodafone Cash) are widely accepted in larger shops and transport; cash is king at markets and for small purchases.
Restaurants: 5–10% for good service. Taxis: round up fare to nearest 1–2 GHS. Hotel staff: small tip of 5 GHS for baggage help or housekeeping.
Essen, Einkaufen und Reisen auf einem Budget
Cheap car hire →Instant coffee at a local chop bar or tea spot costs about 5 GHS.
A plate of tuo zaafi (TZ) with groundnut soup at a chop bar costs around 10–15 GHS.
A main of jollof rice with chicken or meat from a local canteen runs about 15–20 GHS.
Look for roadside grills (especially suya or kebabs) near the main market and the Bawku lorry station in the evening.
Common chain is Maxmart (Bawku has one) for staples and household goods; local market for fresh produce is cheaper.
Bawku main market offers second-hand (frocked) and new fabrics at affordable prices; tailors can make simple dresses for about 30–50 GHS.
Shared taxi (tro-tro) within town: 2–5 GHS per journey. From Bawku to Bolgatanga: shared minibus about 10 GHS. No airport in Bawku; nearest is Bolgatanga, then shared transport.
Buy food from local markets (fresh produce is cheap). Use shared taxis or tro-tros instead of private cars. Bargain politely at the market, especially for multiple items.
Emergency Contacts
Bawku112 is the general emergency number in Ghana. For Bawku, the local police station can be reached directly on +233 (0) 3820 22244 but 112 is more reliable for ambulance and fire.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
No restaurants found locally on OpenStreetMap for Bawku. Try a local search for restaurants near your hotel.
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Bawku, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Blue Cross
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Umher zu kommen
Bawku Central (market area) → Blue Cross Hotel, main road
💡 Flag down any shared taxi heading north from the market—say 'Blue Cross, ako ma' (Hausa for 'going to Blue Cross'). Pay before you exit. After sunset, a private motorbike taxi ('okada') might be your only option; negotiate 20 GHS max.
Bolgatanga Central Lorry Station → Bawku Market Square
💡 Cheaper and faster than the bus when multiple passengers fill the car. Haggle if you're the last seat. Ask the driver to drop you at the Blue Cross roundabout rather than market square.
Tamale Airport (TML) → Blue Cross Hotel, Bawku
💡 Arrange with the hotel or a reliable driver in Tamale. The road via Bolgatanga is tarred but potholed; negotiate the fare upfront—includes waiting time at the airport.
Tamale Bus Station → Bawku Bus Station (near central market)
💡 Boards at the Tamale lorry park—get there by 5am to secure a seat. The bus drops you at the station; from there a shared taxi to Blue Cross costs 10–15 GHS.
Über Bawku
Wikipedia ↗
Bawku is a town in and the capital of Bawku Municipal District, Upper East Region, in north Ghana, adjacent to the border with Burkina Faso. The municipality has a total land area of about 257 km2. It was established by Legislative Instrument (L.I) 2103. In 2021, Bawku had a population of 119,458 pe...
Häufig gestellte Fragen
What are the best rooms at Blue Cross?
Request a rear-facing room on the first floor. These are furthest from the Bawku main road, which can be busy with taxis and motorbikes. The first floor is high enough to avoid ground-level noise but low enough if the lift is unreliable (common in budget hotels in this region).
Which rooms should I avoid at Blue Cross?
Avoid rooms facing the street, especially on the ground floor. Street noise from traffic and hawkers is constant, and ground-floor rooms are more vulnerable to dust and burglary risks. Also skip rooms near the lift shaft on any floor — the lift can be noisy and used late.
Is Blue Cross noisy?
Bawku’s main road is a thoroughfare for taxis, trotros, and motorbikes. Honking starts early (before 6am) and continues until late evening. Market days increase foot traffic and generator noise. The hotel’s own generators can also hum, particularly if it’s a 3-star with unreliable grid power.
Which rooms have the best views at Blue Cross?
Rear-facing rooms overlook the hotel’s own grounds or local compounds — more peaceful and private than the street view, which is mostly shops and dust.
What are insider tips for staying at Blue Cross?
1) Park your vehicle in the hotel’s secure rear lot if available — street parking is risky. 2) Bring earplugs; even the quieter rooms may pick up neighbourhood mosque calls and early market activity. 3) Check the air conditioning works before accepting the room — in Bawku, a broken AC can make sleep impossible.
What time is check-in at Blue Cross?
Check-in at Blue Cross is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Blue Cross have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi in lobby and common areas. Speed moderate – suitable for messaging and browsing. No login credentials needed, just accepts terms.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Blue Cross?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Blue Cross?
A plate of tuo zaafi (TZ) with groundnut soup at a chop bar costs around 10–15 GHS.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Blue Cross?
Shared taxi (tro-tro) within town: 2–5 GHS per journey. From Bawku to Bolgatanga: shared minibus about 10 GHS. No airport in Bawku; nearest is Bolgatanga, then shared transport.
When is the best time to visit Bawku?
November to February: clear skies, low humidity, daytime temperatures 28-35°C. The Harmattan wind blows dust but keeps the air dry and comfortable for exploring. Crowds are thin except around Christmas.
Top-Attraktionen in Bawku
💡 Go early (by 7am) before the heat peaks; bring small change for bargaining. Avoid photo-taking without asking first.
💡 Visit on weekdays when potters are actively working; ask a local guide to translate if you want to chat. Bargain politely.
💡 Don't carry valuables; the area is safe but isolated. Take water and a hat. Sunset around 6pm is stunning.
💡 Check at the entrance for permission; women must cover hair and arms. Best time is late afternoon before Maghrib prayer when the light is good.
💡 Go with a local guide who can arrange a short audience with the chief or elders; a token gift (kola nuts or a small donation) is appreciated. Best on non-festival days.