Where is “Bachelor in Paradise” Filmed?

Oftentimes in media, the setting plays a significant character role. In fact, sometimes the location is as important as the cast itself. What would a reality dating show like Bachelor in Paradise be without being filmed in… paradise? Since fans are already bonded to the characters (who were originally on The Bachelor but didn’t find love), it’s only natural for them to want to know—where is Bachelor in Paradise filmed—specifically?

We’re not just talking about the exotic beaches and tropical vibes—though sultry beauty and stormy weather 100% factor into the show’s gravitational pull. In the case of very attractive people looking for love, constrained in the same small area, the shared space really helps to set the mood. Hot bachelors and bachelorettes plus a sexy setting are a recipe for the often chaotic drama that keeps the audience coming back—and maybe trying to replicate that experience for themselves someday.

How are filming locations chosen?

Before we disclose where Bachelor in Paradise is filmed, here’s a little info about selecting a proper filming location for a reality TV series, movie, or other production. Location scouts suggest where television and movies are filmed based on a slew of logistical and legal criteria.

With reality dating shows, not only does the location have to have enough living space to accommodate a fluctuating number of cast member contestants, but the surrounding area must be large enough to accommodate the crew and all the production gear.

Nearby healthcare facilities are a necessity, and emergency evacuation capabilities are a must. The weather gets grumpy, and contestants get tumultuous (we’re looking at you, Chad), and safety is paramount.

Perhaps most importantly, the site has to be nothing shy of jaw-droppingly beautiful. The audience should be envious of the location. We watch shows like Bachelor in Paradise (affectionately known as BiP) partially because we want to vicariously travel to a magical fountain of love. In fact, the show’s tagline is “Find Love… Or Go Home,” and leaving paradise is the last thing contestants want to do.

Where is Bachelor in Paradise filmed?

Actually, it’s no secret that Bachelor in Paradise is filmed in Mexico—the host and the contestants mention it all the time—often in the opening sequence. ABC News takes you behind the scenes of the latest season. Since BiP’s second season, the show has been filmed at the Playa Escondida boutique hotel outside the beach town of Sayulita, in the Puerto Vallarta/Nayarit region.

According to the Puerto Vallarta Daily News, in 2015 the Mexican government invested about $6 million to scoot the filming over to the Puerto Vallarta area, a deal that also included assistance with logistics coordination. (The first season was shot in 2014 near the city of Tulum on Mexico’s Maya Riviera.)

With a huge fan base and an average of about 4 million viewers per episode, the Playa Escondida resort has become iconic of what a natural paradise destination looks and feels like. However, the resort is still totally accessible to the general public, after a pandemic-related filming hiatus.

Each of the 25 room/huts rents for an average of $400 per night depending on the season. All of the huts offer a view of the jungle or the beach and a couple are quite distant from the main buildings, offering extra seclusion.

Playa Escondida aims to facilitate a bond with nature, and a connection with your loved one. The grounds of the resort definitely help make the show a hit. On BiP, lots of decisions are made, fights fought, hearts broken, drinks drunk, and deals sealed around the pool and the fire pits.

The standalone huts are tailored for couples versus families. Kids are only permitted at the resort during some holidays. There are no televisions in the rooms, ironically. The romantic oasis is quite secluded and has notoriously iffy cell service and limited internet connectivity, yet it makes up being “unplugged” in countless ways.

The resort is home to two excellent restaurants and a bakery, and offers tons of classes and activities. Of course, the grounds are like paradise, and rental bikes are available for local outings.

The Sayulita area near the resort also affords ample opportunities for contestants—and everyday guests—to go on adventurous nature-based dates, often involving beachy cocktails and killer cuisine. There’s ziplining, massage cabanas, beach yoga, and whale watching nearby, just for starters.

Alternative locations to where Bachelor in Paradise is filmed

What if you want to visit the resort where Bachelor in Paradise is filmed but travel to Mexico is just not an option right now? Here’s a thought—throw a BiP season premiere or finale party in a similarly themed Peerspace booking. Peerspace is the world’s largest peer-to-peer hourly venue rental platform. There are thousands of unique Peerspaces in hundreds of cities.

This Laguna Beach, California, beach house bears a resemblance to the Playa Escondida resort. You could rent it and marathon your favorite episodes of BiP while gazing onto the same Pacific Ocean that the contestants hang out. The booking features an Italian raised pool, tropical foliage, and privacy.

Same goes for this Miami villa (pictured above)—it would be a fantastic setting to host a BiP party and reenact your favorite scenes. The home has lots of little nooks where you could make out with your dream contestant stand-in, and hopefully not have to leave paradise sans love. If you look hard enough through the residence’s lush yard, you might just find a pomegranate tree—but you’ll have to ask Ashley S. if it’s really an onion.

If needed, you could reach out to Peerspace’s Concierge service, which will help you source a large projection screen and A/V equipment to screen the show. A vetted vendor will even deliver whatever you need and take it away when you’re done. Leave the drama to the bachelors and bachelorettes, and kick back and enjoy your version of paradise.

Find unique filming locations on Peerspace