Wouldn’t it be great if you lived by a PokéStop or two? You could just sit on your couch, set a lure and have pokémon come to you? Don’t even think about it! Not only is that a lazy-ass idea, it’s not feasible. If you’re really serious about catching them all, you’ll need to put in the time, just like in the game or TV show, moving from place to place in search of them all.

Apart from Rattatas and Pidgeys that are literally everywhere, different types of pokémon spawn in different parts of the city. In Metro Manila, there are a few pokémon hotspots that are worth your while, we spent a week tracking them down and here are some of them. Goodluck!

Bonifacio Global City (Taguig)

Put on some running shoes and plan to spend an afternoon in Bonifacio Global City — home to some of the most diverse species of pokémon in the metropolis. If you only have time to see one place, BGC is the place to be. I find the best pokémon spawn along the edges of the Manila Golf and Country Club near three rotondas: Burgos Circle, De Jesus Oval by Kasalikasan garden, and Balanghai at the foot of Pacific Plaza. I’ve caught a few Vulpix out by Kasalikasan.

Pokémon also span close to the Mind Museum, diagonally across Bonifacio High Street, and along 32nd Street from S&R to St. Luke’s Medical Center. Popular pokémon in this area include Bellsprout, Bulbasaur, Exeggcute, Horsea, Nidoran, Paras, Pinsir, and Squirtle. I’ve also caught a Magmar, a Porygon, and a Scyther here — but maybe that was just pure luck.

SM Mall of Asia (Pasay)

If you’re hunting for electric-type pokémon, SM Mall of Asia is the best place to be. The massive shopping complex is teeming with Voltorbs and Magnemites. Because of its proximity to the sea expect to find a lot of Cloysters, Magikarps, and Poliwags, too. Occasionally, a few Pikachus will also show up. Many congregate on the corners of Seaside boulevard with Conrad Hotel on one end and Ocean Events Place on the other. Pokémon will pop up all around the MOA complex as well.

Pearl Drive (Ortigas)

The entire stretch of Pearl Drive in Ortigas near University of Asia and the Pacific is a treasure trove for water Pokémon. Walk back and forth between Lourdes Street and Exchange Road to farm for Magikarp – there’s no better place in the city to do so.

Pearl Drive is also a great place to find a Psyduck (or if you’re lucky, a Golduck — we’ve caught a few here, too), a Slowpoke, or a Staryu. Several times a day, the occasional Dratini will also spawn here — once I caught three in a span of 10 minutes. Dratinis will also spawn in front of the Philippine Stock Exchange Complex, and further down the road inside the parking lot of the Lopez Museum. Very rarely a Dragonair will also spawn in this area.

While you’re in Ortigas, cross over to Greenfield District in Mandaluyong across the road from Shangri-La Mall. The park is one of the few places in the Metro where Seel spawns regularly and to a certain extent Meowth. Come on a Friday or Saturday evening for the night market and the best-tasting Vietnamese Phở in town.

Greenbelt (Makati)

Not only is Greenbelt a PokéStop hotspot (most if not all always have lures, too) — it’s the best place to hunt for Growlithes. Almost always a Growlithe will spawn under the PokeGym in the middle of the park near the chapel. I recommend walking the stretch along the row of Greenbelt 5 restaurants from Museum Cafe all the way to National Bookstore at Greenbelt 1 — after an afternoon of hunting you should have enough candy for an Arcanine. Eevees, Magikarps, Poliwags, Staryus, and Tangelas are known to spawn here also.

While in Makati, another area worth checking out is the Ayala Triangle for all its PokéStops. Then head over to Salcedo Park, one of the best places to farm Eevies for those all-important Eeveelutions.

Eastwood City (Quezon City)

We’re kinda bummed that there aren’t that many hotspots up north. If you live in the City of Stars, your best bet is the Eastwood Mall complex. The place has a good variety of pokémon not as much as BGC but good enough. You’ll find a lot of Exeggutors, Krabbys, Magikarps, Staryus, and Tentacools mixed in with a few random others. They spawn mostly along Orchard Road loop and the Walk of Fame. Haven’t seen him out in the wild, but my sister says she’s caught a Blastoise there as well.

Manila Ocean Park (Manila)

You’d think that Luneta Park would be a hotbed for exciting pokémon , but it appears Manila Ocean Park is where it’s at. Apart from being home to a wide array of marine animals, the marine park seems to have also adopted a variety of water and electric pokémon . Unless you have a trip planned, we don’t necessarily recommend this place as the pokémon you can find here are found elsewhere, but we’re putting it in because it is a known hotspot. The place is teeming with Magikarps, Goldeens, Psyducks, and a healthy supply of Magnemites.

While you’re in the area try your luck by the Rizal Shrine and also around Fort Santiago. I’ve seen a few rare Pokémon spawn here from time to time.

We have anecdotal evidence of rares like Dragonites spawning in the wild but we haven’t seen one ourselves. We’ve seen a Charizard, a Lickitung, a Magmar, an Onix, a Porygon, and a Scyther randomly in the wild. But we have yet to find a place where they spawn regularly. Evolved versions of common pokémon (Wartortle, Arbok, Butterfree, Wigglytuff) also spawn randomly.

If you know of any good Pokémon Go hunting grounds in Metro Manila leave a message in the comments section below.

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