The Best Places to Catch Rare Pokémon in Vancouver

July 28, 2016
DV
ByDestination Vancouver
5 min read
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Pokémon hunting hotspots, BC Place and Science World.

By Lenée Son

The Pokémon mania that swept the globe like wildfire in the ’90s is back with the release of mobile game, Pokémon Go.

Whether you’ve been playing since day one or you’ve just started your Pokémon journey to be the very best, here are the top locations in Vancouver you need to visit to catch’em all.

1. Seawall: From Stanley Park to False Creek

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Pokémon hunting hotspots, BC Place and Science World.

A walk, jog, or bike along the sea wall is a great way to find some of the city’s rarest Pokémon. The entire seawall stretches 30km, running from CRAB park through Stanley Park and False Creek to Spanish Banks. There are plenty of PokeStops and Gyms along the way. The highly sought-after Pikachu has been spotted along the Seawall at Spanish Banks. Any section of the seawall is the place to be to catch water-type Pokémon like Krabby, Tentacool, Golduck and Magikarp.

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Pokémon hunting hotspots, BC Place and Science World.

BC Place is a great location to catch fighting-type Pokémon like Mankey, Hitmonchan and Machop. If you’re serious about being a Pokémon master and want to beat rock and dark-type Pokémon in a battle, make the visit to BC Place to catch a fighting Pokémon or two.

Pokémon hunting hotspots, BC Place and Science World.

Pokémon hunting hotspots, BC Place and Science World.

Pokémon spotted at Science World include Oddish, Nidoran, Ponyta, and Staryu.

Pokemon Go players in Vancouver.

Pokémon hunting hotspots, BC Place and Science World.

2. Olympic Village

Pokémon fan spotted in a Haunter hat at the Olympic Village.

Pokémon hunting hotspots, BC Place and Science World.

The Olympic Village is overrun with Pokémon! The Olympic Village Square has three Lure PokeStops within close proximity of another, keeping a constant flow of Pokémon coming. Drowsees are constantly popping up at this location. Other Pokemon spotted at this location include Magnemite, Hypno, Weezing, and Seel.

Pokémon Go enthusiast, Victoria Fawkes at the Olympic Village in a handmade replica of her Pokémon Go character’s costume.

Pokémon hunting hotspots, BC Place and Science World.

The Olympic Village is also a great location to make friends with other Pokémon Trainers!

3. Waterfront Centre

Pokémon hotspot, Waterfront Centre.

Pokémon hunting hotspots, BC Place and Science World.

Just a short two-minute walk from Waterfront Station, the Waterfront Centre is a gold mine for rare Pokémon. Within seconds of arriving at Waterfront Centre, you’ll find yourself surrounded by Pokémon.

Four Lure PokeStops are situated at this location – one at the Waterfront Centre courtyard fountain, another at the Waterfront Centre food court fountain, and two across the street at the Jumping Jack art installation and The Vancouver Club.

Pokémon Go players at the Waterfront Centre courtyard fountain.

Pokémon hunting hotspots, BC Place and Science World.

Here’s a pro-tip – Refrain from transferring or evolving your common Pokémon such as Weedle and Pidgey. Instead, wait until you have a Lucky Egg and make your way to the Lure PokeStops at Waterfront Centre. For 30 minutes, a Lucky Egg allows you to gain double trainer experience points (XP points) for each Pokémon you catch or evolve. Once you’re there, use a Lucky Egg, start evolving your Pokémon, take advantage of the Lure PokeStops to catch Pokémon, and watch your trainer level increase at lightning speed!

Pokémon Go devotees congregate across the street from Waterfront Centre between Pokémon Go Lure spots.

Pokémon hunting hotspots, BC Place and Science World.

Pokemon spotted at this location include Wartortle, Dewgong, Jynx, Venomoth, Geodude, and Poliwhirl.

Pokemon Go fans gather between Pokemon Lure Stops at The Vancouver Club, the Jumping Jack art installation, and Waterfront Centre.

Pokémon hunting hotspots, BC Place and Science World.

4. The Drop at the Vancouver Convention Centre

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Pokémon hunting hotspots, BC Place and Science World.

The Drop at The Vancouver Convention Centre is home to a Pokémon Gym where you can train your Pokémon or battle another trainer. Adjacent to The Drop are two PokeStops where you can grab some swag. If you’re on the hunt for fairy-type pokemon like Jiggly Puff, Dratini, Clefairy, and Clefable, be sure to make a stop at this location.

5. Canada Place

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Pokémon hunting hotspots, BC Place and Science World.

Canada Place is home to another Pokemon gym and many PokeStops. Magikarps are common in this location. If you’re keen on collecting Magikarps to evolve into a Gyarados, be sure to make a stop here.

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