Netflix has recently picked up a reality TV show Love in the Wild on Nov 6, 2023. The series originally aired on NBC from 2011 to 2012 for two seasons.
The romantic reality show took random paired singles on an exciting adventure in the wilderness of exotic locations, where they had to complete challenges and work together to survive, the winning couple at the end of the show won a trip around the world.
Whether you’re a die-hard fan of Love in the Wild (2011) or simply an adventurer seeking inspiration, these filming locations offer a unique opportunity to connect with nature and experience the thrill of exploration.
The series takes us to some beautiful and exotic places that served as the perfect backdrop for romance and adventure.
Love in the Wild Filming Locations
The first season of Love in the Wild was filmed in Costa Rica, with locations including the lush rainforests of the Cahuita, the town of Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui, and the geothermal hot springs of La Fortuna.
Filming for the first season took place in the jungles of Costa Rica from May to July 2010.
Cahuita, Limon, Costa Rica
Located on Costa Rica’s Southern Caribbean coast, Cahuita is a small town, known for its laid-back atmosphere, beautiful beaches, and rich Afro-Caribbean culture.
The show’s contestants were spotted at the Cahuita National Park during the shooting of series and it served as the main filming location for the season 1.
Cahuita National Park park has a diverse wildlife and dense jungle canopy, which was utilized in the filming of many daring challenges.
La Fortuna, San Carlos, Alajuela
La Fortuna translates to ‘The Fortune’ in English but that has nothing to do with the island. Instead, the island is filled with lots of thrilling rides, zipling adventure, and an active volcano.
Good for you, if you love adventures. Those rides gonna give you a near-death experience that you’ll remember for the rest of your life. Even I got the heebie-jeebies thinking about my experience near the Arenal Volcano.
And one more thing, the place is like a portal to Arenal Volcano National Park, yo. There’s two volcanoes in the park, one’s active, Arenal Volcano, and the other’s dormant, Chato Volcano. The shoot was done near the active one but the dormant one has also been featured in the series.
Moreover, contestants went white water rafting on the Pacuare River and ziplined through the lush jungles. The breathtaking natural scenery of Costa Rica set the stage for sparks to fly between the random pair of contestants.
Where was Love in the Wild season 2 filmed?
The second season of Love in the Wild was filmed in the Dominican Republic and Hawaii. Some former show’s participants have mentioned that the shooting for the second season of Love in the Wild took place in spring 2011.
Dominican Republic, Caribbean Islands
Punta Cana is a popular tourist destination, famous for its luxurious resorts and pristine beaches. Couples got the chance to satisfy their wanderlust by exploring those secluded beaches and lush rainforests of the Samana Penninsula.
Some other scenic locations that were used for challenges and dates includes, the waterfalls and rivers of Armando Bermúdez National Park, the beaches of Bayahibe, and the islands of Saona and Catalina.
Dominican Republic has become a popular filming location over the years and more filmmakers are noticing its natural beauty and taking advantages of its lucrative tax programs for cinematographers.
Some of the famous productions took place in the Dominican Republic includes Blue Miracle (2021), Pirates of the Caribbean (2003), 47 Meters Down Uncaged (2019), Furious (2015), Saint X (2023), etc.
Hawaii
The volcanic landscapes of the Big Island offered a unique setting for testing the physical and emotional endurance of couples.
Hawaii’s North Shore, with its world-famous waves and stunning sunsets, provided a thrilling backdrop for the shooting of romantic moments. Oahu is the most populous island of Hawaii and is known for its iconic landmarks like Waikiki Beach and Pearl Harbor.
Maui and Kauai are another popular tourist destinations in Hawaii and known for their dramatic landscapes and clean waters. These three islands were utilized for filming purposes.
Not only Love in the Wild show was a success for NBC, it also helped in the promotion of tourism. Many people traveled to see the real places and have some adventure in Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, and Hawaii to satisfy their wanderlust.
Behind the scenes
By traveling to Costa Rica and Dominican Republic, production team of Love in the Wild (2011) took advantage of exotic filming locations that enhanced the excitement and romance over its two seasons.
The natural beauty of each location gave the perfect atmosphere for love to blossom in the wild.
Making Love in the Wild was hard work for the camera crew. They had to carry lots of heavy gear into the jungles and mountains. It was tough to get good shots while kayaking or climbing rocks.
Sometimes dangerous animals like snakes and insects caused problems while bad weather and big storms made filming challenging too.
The crew would rush to get shots before rain started. Sometimes they had to stop completely and find shelter. Some cast members of Love in the Wild have revealed, it was chaotic with all the problems but they made their way through the stones.
But they loved having a chance to do fun things in beautiful places. The crew worked very hard to capture the romance and adventure. Filming in the wild wasn’t easy. But it made for great TV that viewers enjoyed watching at home.
Meet the cast of Love in the Wild
Season 1 (2011) Cast
| Male Contestants | Female Contestants |
|---|---|
| Michael ‘Mike’ Spiro (29) | Samantha Woods (23) |
| Miles Haefner (28) | Heather Pond (23) |
| Skip Sullivan (30) | Theresa Trujillo (24) |
| Benjamin ‘Ben’ Hooker (27) | Brandee Dillehay (25) |
| Steele Dewald (24) | Erica Scherle (24) |
| Derek Leach (28) | Jessica “Jess” DeBolt (24) |
| Jason Jackson (28) | Jessica Soares (23) |
| Adam Rose (25) | Kym Nguyen (24) |
| Peter Paris (31) | Vanessa Guerrero (26) |
| Jared Ines (28) | Dawn Christjaener (27) |
Season 2 (2012) Cast
| Male Contestant | Female Contestants |
|---|---|
| Kenneth “Ken” Barrington (33) | Yanina Beccaria (33) |
| Benjamin “Ben” Clark (27) | Michelle Sacco (28) |
| Aaron Chase (28) | Summer Mack (32) |
| Jesse Wilson (33) | Ali Leitza (33) |
| Ryan Smith (27) | Jenna Gillund (23) |
| Jason Ewell (25) | Vanessa Ramirez (30) |
| Tim Parrish (32) | Cina Luks (22) |
| Christian Seklecki (34) | Jenny Blatt (27) |
| Darwin Zook (32) | Lindsay Furman (29) |
| Franky Arriola (31) | Melissa Alatorre (23) |
| Jason Holmes (29) | Natalie Korzon (24) |
| Leonard “Leo” Borriello (27) | Tara Locke (26) |
| Mike Sweet (30) | Shauna Dillard (28) |
| Quaison “Q” Dodd (31) |
