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.

Iligan to MSU Main Campus
You can take a jeepney bound for MSU at the Southbound Terminal in Iligan City. Travel time is about an hour and fare is 50 pesos. Aga Khan Museum and King Faisal Mosque are within walking distance when you're already inside the campus. There are also tricycle that can take you around MSU for 8 pesos per ride.

To Tinago Falls, Iligan City
From the city proper, take a Buru-un route jeepney. Tell the driver to drop you at the Buru-un Market (talipapa). Fare is 13.00 PHP and travel time is about 15 minutes. From there, take a habal-habal (motorcycle) and ask the driver to take you to Tinago Falls. Fare is 25.00 PHP each.

To Mimbalut Waterfalls, Iligan City
From the city proper, take a Buru-un route jeepney. Tell the driver to drop you at Iligan City National School of Fisheries or simply at the corner road to Mimbalut. Fare is 13.00 PHP and travel time is about 15-20 minutes. From there, take a habal-habal (motorcycle) and ask the driver to take you to the falls or you may walk for a few minutes by taking the off road trail beside the School.

To NPC Nature's Park, Iligan City
From the city proper, take a jeepney bound for Buru-un. Tell the driver to drop you at the crossing going to Maria Cristina Falls. Fare is about 12.00 pesos and travel time is around 15-20 minutes.

To Maria Christina Falls, Iligan City
It is located 8.5 kilometers away southwest of the city proper. From the city proper, take a jeepney bound for Buru-un. Tell the driver to drop you at the crossing going to Maria Cristina Falls. Fare is about 12.00 pesos and travel time is around 15-20 minutes. Then walk towards the NPC complex for about 5-10 minutes.

To Cotta Fort, Shrine and Beach Ozamiz City
They are all located located near Ozamiz City Port. From the city center, you can take a leisurely walk to the fort for about 10-15 minutes or take a tricycle and the driver can bring you there for 10 pesos each.


ACCOMMODATIONS

There are a number of accommodations available in Iligan and Ozamiz City, from expensive hotels and resorts to cheap and affordable hostels, inns, pension and lodging houses. If you are on a tight budget (like me), the cheapest hostel could be the Zitro Guest House in Iligan and Country Lodge in Ozamiz City.

HOTELS IN ILIGAN CITY

ZITRO GUEST HOUSE, Iligan City

• Address: Corner Echiverri & San Miguel Streets, Iligan City
• Room Rates: starts at 400 PHP per night for a double air-conditioned room with private toilet and bath.
• Notes: As it is located at the town proper, it is very accessible and near the business establishments. Spacious rooms but not so clean.Toilet and bath is big but not well kept. Television set is not working properly. Air-con is cool. It was ok, but I do not highly recommend this when staying in Iligan.

Other Options:
StayLite Suites Pine Tree St, San Miguel Village, Pala-o, Iligan City (0923) 735-5893
D' Morvie Suites Andres Bonifacio Ave., Saray Iligan City 221 8660 / 225 4780
Corporate Inn Boutique Hotel 5 Sparrow St., Isabel Village, Pala-o, Iligan City 0916-7888457
Maria Cristina Hotel Gen. Aguinaldo St., Poblacion, Iligan City 221-5308 / 221-3352 / 492-3352
Celadon Pensionne House Rotonda Road, San Miguel Village, Pala-o Iligan City 221 0711
Bed Asia Inn Constantino Badelles St. Ext., Pala-o Iligan City 221 0559
Rene's Diner & Pension House Andrada Compound, Roxas Ave. Ext., Mahayahay 221-3701 / 221-8360
First Choice Guest House Milestone Drive cor Pinesville St., San Miguel, Iligan City 221 0615

[ CLICK HERE TO SEE THE LIST OF TOP-RATED HOTELS IN ILIGAN CITY ]

HOTELS IN OZAMIZ CITY

COUNTRY LODGE, Ozamiz City

• Address: Ledesma Extension, Ozamiz City
• Contact No.: (088) 521-0472
• Room Rates: starts at 100 PHP per night per person for a double non-air conditioned room with common toilet and bath.
• Notes: It is located around 500 meters away from the city proper. But with a short tricycle ride, you can get to the business establishments, church and Gaisano Mall. Spacious and clean rooms. Toilet and bath is ok. I recommend this when visiting Ozamiz City. Perfect for budget travelers like me.

Other Options:
Badong Pension House Abanil, Ozamiz City (088) 5211631
Asian Hotel Capistrano cor. Parojinog Sts. Ozamiz City (088) 5211424
Minerva Tourist Inn Washington St., Ozamiz City (088) 5210065
67 Boulevard Pension House Gallardo St., Ozamiz City
Hilbon Hotel Don Anselmo Bernard Ave. Ozamiz City (088) 5210351
Holiday Tourist Inn Cebedo Cor. Blumentritt St., Ozamiz City (088) 5210073
Plaza Beatriz Hotel Port Road, Ozamiz City (088) 5211394
Naomi's Tourist Inn Banadero Hi-way, Ozamiz City (088) 5210024
Palace Hotel Rizal Ave. Cor. Juan Luna St., Ozamiz City (088) 5210573
Royal Garden Hotel Burgos St.., Ozamiz City (088) 5210008

[ CLICK HERE TO SEE THE LIST OF TOP-RATED HOTELS IN OZAMIZ CITY ]

EXPENSES

DAY 1 NAIA Terminal 3 Fee Breakfast Tricycle Fare, Airport to bus terminal Ferry Ticket, Ozamiz to Mukas Terminal Fee Bus Fare, Ozamiz - Iligan Jeepney, Iligan to Marawi Jeepney, Marawi - Iligan Snacks Jeepney ride to the city proper Accommodation in Iligan (1 night) Dinner TOTAL DAY 2 Jeepney fare to Tinago Falls Habal-habal ride Donation for Tinago (optional) Habal-habal to Minablut and NPC park Entrance Fee, NPC Nature's Park Shuttle fee NPC to City Proper Lunch Jeepney, City proper to Bus Terminal Bus Fare, Iligan - Mukas Port Ferry ride Accomodation in Ozamiz (1 night) Dinner TOTAL DAY 3 Tricycle fare to the airport Breakfast Ozamiz Airport Terminal Fee TOTAL GRAND TOTAL

PHP 200 100 60 25 3 70 50 50 50 7 400 104 1,119.00 13 25 20 100 30 10 11 200 7.50 75 25 100 100 716.50 60 30 20 110.00 PHP 1,945

ITINERARY

Here's my suggested itinerary for a 3-day weekend getaway in Biliran.

DAY 1
06:00 AM - ETD in Manila
07:30 AM - ETA in Ozamiz City
08:00 AM - ETA in Bus Terminal / Breakfast in Ozamiz City
08:30 AM - ETD for Iligan City
10:00 AM – ETA in Iligan City Bus Terminal
10:30 AM – ETD for Marawi City
11:30 AM - ETA in Marawi City
12:00 NN - Lunch
01:00 PM - Explore MSU, Aga Khan Museum and King Faisal Mosque
04:00 PM - ETD for Iligan City
05:00 PM – ETA in Iligan City / Check-in
06:00 PM – Explore City Plaza and Night Market
07:30 PM – Dinner 09:00 PM – Lights out / Sleep

DAY 2
06:00 AM - Wake-up / Prepare
07:00 AM - Breakfast
08:00 AM - ETD for Tinago Falls
08:45 AM - ETA in Tinago Falls / Swimming
10:00 AM - ETD for Mimbalut Falls
10:30 AM - ETA in Mibalut Falls / Explore
11:00 AM - ETD for NPC Nature's Park
11:30 AM - ETA in NPC Nature's Park / Explore
01:00 PM - Lunch
02:00 PM - View Maria Christina Falls
03:00 PM - ETD for Iligan City proper
03:30 PM - ETA in Iligan City proper / Check-out
04:00 PM - ETD for Ozamiz City
06:00 PM - ETA in Ozamiz City / Check-in
07:00 PM - Dinner DAY 3
06:00 AM - Wake-up / Prepare
07:00 AM - Breakfast
08:00 AM - Immaculate Conception Cathedral
08:45 AM - Cotta Fort
09:30 AM - Cotta Shrine
10:00 AM - Cotta Beach and Plaza de los Jesuitas
11:00 AM - Back at the hostel / Freshen-up
12:00 NN - Check-out
01:00 PM - ETA at Ozamiz City Airport
02:00 PM - ETD for Manila
03:30 PM - ETA in Manila



CONTACT DETAILS
Marawi City Tourism Office Contact # 0948-9772608
Lanao del Sur Provincial Tourism Office Office of the Regional Governor Contact # 09209377021
Iligan City Tourism Office Contact # (063) 221-3426 / www.iligan.gov.ph
Lanao del Norte Provincial Tourism Office Contact # (063) 341-5241, (063) 341-5804 Fax: (063) 341-5345 / www.lanaodelnorte.gov.ph
Ozamiz City Tourism Office Contact # (088) 521-0270 / www.ozamiz.gov.ph
Misamis Occidental Provincial Tourism Office Contact # (088) 5311530 / 5311062

ALSO READ: A LOCAL'S GUIDE TO ILIGAN CITY: 8 Tips and Tricks for First-Timers