If you’re a fan of survival reality competitions, you’ve probably spent your fair share of hours tuning into the Netflix original series “Outlast.” The show, which pits a ragtag group of athletic survivors against each other in the desolate wilderness, originally premiered on the streamer back in 2023, with an inaugural season taking place in Alaska. Now that the third season, titled “Outlast: The Jungle,” has arrived, fans have been anxiously tuning in to see where the new adventures take place. For the jungle-themed batch of episodes, 16 contestants were dropped into the rough and rugged wilderness of the Panamanian rainforest, shooting in locations including Bocas del Toro and the Pearl Islands. As you can imagine, the series is shot on location in the real off-path wilderness, giving the players a chance to flex their survival skills, scrounge up supplies and compete for the grand prize of one million dollars cash.
If you’re a rugged outdoorsman yourself, or you’re just looking for a wild place to explore on your vacation to Panama, be sure to read ahead. We’ll outline a few key filming locations for “Outlast: The Jungle.” We’ll also offer a few local-approved tips on which tourist sites to visit in the region, as well as restaurants and hotels in the area, just in case you get sick of barbecuing fresh-caught fish and sleeping in a rained-out tent. With any luck, you’ll be able to walk in the very footsteps of the “Outlast” survivalists, minus the life-threatening conditions that make the show a must-binge series.
Do People On ‘Outlast’ Get Paid?
Everybody knows that the winner of the “Outlast” survival competition receives $1 million, but what about the other contestants? Luckily, the “Outlast” contestants who don’t make it all the way to the end aren’t forced to go home entirely empty-handed. While we don’t have the exact figures outlined in their Netflix contracts, we know that the “Outlast: The Jungle” talent are given compensation for their time in front of the camera. Generally speaking, reality show contestants are billed as independent contractors and given a weekly salary in the ballpark of $1,000 or more. This money allows the contestants to continue paying their bills, so their time off work isn’t a complete loss. It’s not likely that these independent operators receive any back-end compensation, but with the right management team, they could technically lobby for a contract offering a percentage-based salary as well.
As reported by The Tab, contestant Ben confirmed that his fellow “Outlast” cast members received a stipend reimbursing them for any purchases made as part of the show. This might include food, water and the limited supplies they’re allowed to bring into the jungle, such as emergency first-aid kits. Since the series relies so heavily on its gripping narrative, most on-screen talent are given non-disclosure clauses, so we may never know the exact details of their payment structure.
A Traveler’s Guide To Panama Filming Locations
Key Scenes: “Outlast: The Jungle” was captured on location across many remote stretches of Panama. While the action shifts from place to place depending on which contestant you’re following or which challenge they’re completing, most of the episodes were shot on Bocas del Toro and the Pearl Islands.
Best Time to Visit: No matter what part of Panama you’re visiting, you’ll probably want to book your trip during the dry season. The months of January through March are considered the best thanks to their minimal rain, low humidity and access to outdoor excursions. Of course, you’re always welcome to hike through the rainforest during a downpour if you’re looking to live like a real off-grid explorer. “Outlast: The Jungle” was shot over the course of a few weeks in April and May 2026, so the contestants received mixed weather events.
Transportation Options: If you’re looking to stay in any of Panama’s major metro regions, like Panama City, San Miguelito or Colón, you should have access to plenty of buses, taxis and more. Those looking to venture to areas like Bocas del Toro and the Pearl Islands will have to get pretty creative, though. Reaching the former requires you to charter a flight or a water taxi, while the Pearl Islands can be reached exclusively by boat. Depending on which of the islands you intend to visit, you might be able to catch a ferry, but the vast majority of landmasses are secluded without frequent visitors. Of course, the island of Isla Colón, where Bocas del Toro is located, can be explored via golf cart, ATV or e-bike rental.
Bocas del Toro is the buzzing capital city of a small island called Isla Colón, which is nestled on the shores of the Caribbean Sea. The island offers premier access to beaches, stunning coral reefs and plenty of unincorporated land reserved for local wildlife. That makes the area ripe for survivalist encounters, forcing the contestants to put their rugged know-how to the test.
The Pearl Islands are a similarly untapped space just off the southern coast of mainland Panama. Comprised of over 200 actual landmasses, these islands are mostly devoid of permanent residents and commercial structures. They’re primarily reserved as beaches, wildlife reserves and dense jungles as you venture further inland.
Things to Do: If you do visit Panama for yourself, you’ll probably wind up sticking to the major cities in place of the hard-to-reach Pearl Islands. Of course, there’s plenty to do in regions such as Bocas del Toro province, where much of “Outlast: The Jungle” was shot. The area is ideal for lounging on the beach, snorkeling over coral reefs and engaging with high-octane water sports like surfing and jet skiing. Speed boat tours are available for those who wish to peep at local wildlife, while sites including the Plastic Bottle Village, Green Acres Chocolate Farm and the Finca Flora permaculture farm offer once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Back on the mainland, you can check out a street food tour, explore the Monkey and Sloth Jungle Habitat and ensure that you visit the famed Panama Canal.
Where to Eat: Like the above, you’d be hard-pressed to find many restaurants and hotels in the remote stretches of beach of forest utilized in the show. Still, Panama is home to a variety of fine cuisines, so it’d be a shame not to visit Coco Fastronomy, Arboloco or El Ultimo Refugio while you’re docked at Isla Colón. Back in Panama City, you can also try out local favorites like Hunt’s Oyster Bar and Bayou Joe’s. Those looking to really rough it like they’re on “Outlast” are more than welcome to try their hand at spear fishing and cooking the fish over an open flame, but these restaurants guarantee a more well-rounded dining experience.
Where to Stay: Despite how remote the Pearl Islands are, you can actually find a few inclusive hotels on the shores of some of the larger landmasses. These islands, which offer ferry service, tout hotels and hostels, including Mar & Oro, Hibiscus House Bed & Breakfast and the Contadora Island Inn. Back on the mainland, where pickings are decidedly less slim, you should be able to locate tons of chain hotels and local B&Bs. Panama City alone is home to Dreams Playa Bonita, Crowne Plaza Panama and the Intercontinental Miramar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is “Outlast” scripted?
Strictly speaking, “Outlast” is a survival reality show. This means that there is no set script, and the on-air talent are not actors reciting written dialogue. Of course, as with any show, many dramatic moments are heightened by on-site producers or post-production editing teams. Dramatic music and camera movements may be used to stitch unrelated moments together and intentions may be adjusted in post to make certain performers look better or worse to the audience.
How long do contestants stay on “Outlast”?
“Outlast” contestants usually remain on-site to shoot the show for 30 to 45 days. Some survivalists wind up going home much earlier, leaving others to vie for the million-dollar cash prize. The production generally has no set end date when they begin shooting, leaving the behind-the-camera team to remain on site until the challenges are won and the survivalists are whittled down to the grand prize winners.
