TRAVEL GUIDE: Marawi, Iligan and Ozamiz City - How To Get There, Accommodations, Transportation, Expenses, Itinerary and Contact Details

HOW TO GET THERE

Ozamiz to Iligan City
Take a tricycle from the airport to the Integrated Bus and Jeepney Terminal (60 PHP). Then take a bus bound for Cagayan de Oro City. The bus crosses Panguil bay via a ferry boat (25 PHP) from Ozamiz City to Mukas port in Lanao del Norte. Get off at Iligan City. Travel time is about 1.5 hours, fare is 70 pesos.

Iligan to Marawi City
Take a Marawi bound van or jeepney at the Southbounf Terminal in Iligan City. Travel time is about an hour and fare is 50 pesos on a jeepney.

Ozamiz City's Immaculate Conception Cathedral and Pipe Organ

Ozamiz City’s Immaculate Conception Cathedral is the home of the second largest pipe organ in the Philippines. It is one among the very few pipe organs in the country and the only existing in the island of Mindanao.

Misamis Occidental - A Relaxing Afternoon at Cotta Beach and Plaza De Los Jesuitas

Cotta Beach is located just outside Cotta Fort. So, after paying homage to the Virgin of Triumph at the Cotta Shrine, I walked towards the beach area to check things out. The beach has black sand and a narrow shoreline. At one end is a community and at the other is the Port of Ozamiz City. As the fort is very near the sea, a breakwater was built as a protection from the waves which made way for the construction of the Plaza De Los Jesuitas.

Misamis Occidental - Paying Homage to Nuestra Señora de la Conception y del Triunfo at the Cotta Shrine

Another popular site in Ozamiz City is the Nuestra Señora de la Conception y del Triunfo Shrine or more popularly known as Cotta Shrine. It is located at the south end of the Cotta Fort where a bas-relief image of the Virgin of the Immaculate Conception is enshrined in a small chapel outside the fort's wall. A lot of pilgrims visit the image of the Virgin Mary in pink and blue attire that is believed to be miraculously growing.

Misamis Occidental - Visiting Cotta Fort in Ozamiz City

After exploring Iligan City, I checked out of the hostel and continued my journey. I took a bus bound for Ozamiz City and rode the ferry in Mukas Port going to Ozamiz. I had a great view of the city while the ferry traversed for 20 minutes across Panguil Bay. Total travel time from Iligan City to Ozamiz is about 1.5 hours. I went out of the port and walked for a few meters towards Cotta Fort.