It's been a while now since the specters of the oil industry converged on Takoradi, transforming what was just a sleepy fishing outpost on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean into Ghana's mechanized, money-making hub. Don't be put off by the its industrial character, and the ever-growing town of merchants and sailors, miners and business people for Takoradi has a prettier face hidden away. Move away from the energy and action of Takoradi port, navigate the crisscrossing grids of streets, and flit away from its colourful Market Circle to make a beeline straight for the uncrowded and surprisingly clean beachfronts that line the coast to the west of the harbor. They are peppered with leaning coconut trees and host a few good hotels and eateries as well. Just be sure to ask your Takoradi tour guide about the best sunbathing spots, going from Africa Beach to further afield.