Candaba Swamp is a wetland of about 32,000 hectares in the town of Candaba, Pampanga. Migratory birds gather here, and they are best seen from November to February. A bicycle is a quiet way to go and look.
The ride
We have not found a measured cycling route for Candaba, so we give no distance and no description of the road surface. What we can say is that this is a floodplain, so the land is flat. Plan a short, slow ride with plenty of stops, and decide how far to go on the day.
Because the surface is not documented, bring a bike with wider tires, such as a gravel bike or a mountain bike. Ask in town which roads toward the swamp are passable.
Good to know
- Go between late November and April, when the swamp is dry. The area floods in the wet season.
- For the birds, November to February is the best time. December to February are also the coolest months of the year.
- Wikivoyage lists a fee of P150 for the bird sanctuary. That figure may be out of date, so bring extra cash and ask when you arrive.
- Start early and carry water: by mid-morning the open plain is hot. See riding in the heat.
- Ask locally about road conditions before you set out, most of all near the start and the end of the dry season.
- Bring binoculars if you have them, and keep your voice low near the birds.
Getting there
Riders coming from Manila by car, with the bike on board, can use the North Luzon Expressway. Its Pampanga exits include San Simon, San Fernando and Mexico. For the weather month by month, see when to ride in the Philippines.