Saagar Kote
In Hallmark’s romance drama ‘A Machu Picchu Proposal,’ Katie’s Peruvian adventure begins when she agrees to accompany her brother, Dan, and his girlfriend, Luciana, on a trip. Dan intends to propose to Luciana at Machu Picchu by the week’s end, and he needs Katie’s Spanish fluency to seek her Peruvian father’s blessing. However, each elaborate proposal attempt is inadvertently foiled by Luciana’s friend, Chef Carlos. Despite these setbacks, Katie is determined to see the proposal through until Dan ultimately calls it off. Now, Katie must embrace Chef Carlos’s spontaneous nature to salvage the day and the proposal, and in the process, she might even find her own heart won over by him. The visual canvas of the Colin Theys directorial is enhanced by the stunning mountains, the breathtaking greenery, and the serene backdrops.
A Machu Picchu Proposal Filming Locations
‘A Machu Picchu Proposal’ was primarily filmed in Peru, especially in Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley Region, and Cusco. Principal photography most likely took place in the earlier months of 2025. The members of the cast and crew had a wonderful time filming the romantic film, as they were travelling through the unparalleled beauty of the South American country. However, as per reports, the cast also battled altitude sickness during the production process.
Machu Picchu, Peru
Crucial scenes of ‘A Machu Picchu Proposal,’ including a proposal and certain emotional moments, were filmed in Machu Picchu with views of the surrounding mountains and stone terraces. Machu Picchu, an ancient Incan city, is a UNESCO World Heritage site nestled high in the Andes Mountains of Peru. It is renowned for its remarkably preserved stone architecture and breathtaking natural surroundings.
Certain romantic scenes found greater depth due to being set in this world-famous and historic citadel. In an interview with Parade, Alec Santos, one of the leads, opined that as the cast and crew began their ascent to the first scheduled shot, a panoramic view of Machu Picchu that was to precede the climactic kiss, they encountered a problem. Apparently, Machu Picchu was obscured by a thick cloud that almost made it impossible to spot. The fog made it very difficult to execute the important scenes.
The Sacred Valley Region, Peru
The film extensively features Peru’s stunning Sacred Valley region, highlighting its beautiful landscapes. This valley, with its scenic trails, rivers, and traditional villages, establishes a magical and adventurous backdrop for Katie and Carlos’s journey. Scenes involving characters exploring the local culture of Peru were taped at the Mercado De Urubamba, located at 342 Jirón Palacio. It is a vibrant local market where locals shop for daily necessities, and tourists can experience Peruvian culture. The film captures the authentic Peruvian atmosphere through its vibrant street scenes. Urubamba is also the largest town in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, situated in close proximity to notable ruins of the Inca Empire.
A scenic portion of the narrative was captured in the stunning Salt Mine of Maras, also known as the Maras Salt Ponds. A particularly important scene featuring the lead characters examining the ground at the mine was taped here. The archaeological site exploration scenes were likely filmed in Pisac, a town located in the Sacred Valley region of southern Peru. Pisac is well-known for its vibrant handicrafts market situated in the main square. Certain moments in the film were also shot in the town’s more urban spaces.
An important dance sequence in the storyline was lensed in the historic and colonial district of Yucay, located 55 kilometers from the city of Cusco. In an interview with Entertainment Now, Alec Santos said that he was part of a wonderful scene where the cast was in an ancient Peruvian town, and they hired a local dance troupe to dress up in carnival costumes. Santos quoted, “We’re just walking through it, and all of a sudden we get caught up in the fun dancing, chaos, color.” The scenes set in this district add to the authenticity of the narrative and add depth to the journey of the main characters. Yucay has served as a filming location for well-known movies like ‘Dora and the Lost City of Gold,’ ‘The Secret of the Incas,’ and ‘Paddington in Peru.’
The village of Ollantaytambo, in the Sacred Valley, likely served as the filming location for an important parade sequence in the movie. Situated on the Urubamba River and surrounded by snow-capped mountains, Ollantaytambo is famous for its massive Inca fortress and the Ollantaytambo ruins, which feature extensive stone terraces on a hillside. Key attractions within this complex include the impressive Sun Temple and the Princess Baths fountain. Ollantaytambo has served as a filming location for several movies, including the well-known ‘The Motorcycle Diaries’ and ‘Transformers: Rise of the Beasts.’
Cusco, Peru
A consequential scene in the movie utilized the Church of the Society of Jesus, a historic colonial church in Cusco, a city in the Peruvian Andes. It was once the capital of the Inca Empire, and is now known for its archaeological marvels and Spanish colonial remains. The church’s detailed architecture and grand setting add a sense of tradition and cultural depth to the story. Parts of the movie were filmed at the Plaza de Armas, situated in 123 Plaza Del Medio. The picturesque square is enveloped by colonial architecture, which stands as a testament to the profound influence the Spanish conquerors had on the city.
A Machu Picchu Proposal Cast Details
‘A Machu Picchu Proposal’ is led by the stellar performances of Rhiannon Fish and Alec Santos. Rhiannon’s charismatic and vibrant performance beautifully complements the film’s romantic-comedy tone. Santos exudes a spontaneous, free-spirited energy, particularly noticeable during the meet-cute scene at a local carnival. He authentically captures the moment, describing it as feeling spontaneous and real rather than staged. The two leads showcase brilliant chemistry that carries the story as a whole.
Rhiannon Fish as Katie
Rhiannon Fish, who essays the role of Katie in ‘A Machu Picchu Proposal,’ is an artist with more than 30 acting credits in her career. She started her career with series-regular roles as April Scott in ‘Home & Away’ and Lisa Jeffries in ‘Neighbours.’ She then gained popularity as Ontari in the long-running television series ‘The 100.’ Her more recent works include a supporting role as Vanessa in the feature film ‘Occupation’ and a lead role as Tenely in ‘A Love to Remember.’ She also features as one of the sleuthing sisters in ‘Nikki & Nora: Sister Sleuths.’ Fish has filmed several Hallmark movies, including ‘My Norwegian Holiday,’ ‘Polar Opposites,’ and ‘A Costa Rican Wedding.’
Alec Santos as Carlos
Alec Santos, who portrays the role of Carlos in ‘A Machu Picchu Proposal,’ is an artist with more than 20 acting credits in his career. He is well known for his portrayals of Antoine in ‘Virgin River,’ Mark Brody in ‘Firefly Lane,’ and Tino in ‘Snowpiercer.’ For his performance as Lucas Avery in ‘Sight Unseen,’ he gained a nomination for Best Guest Performance in a Dramatic Series at the Leo Awards. His other credits include ‘How She Caught a Killer,’ ‘Campfire Christmas,’ ‘Planning on Forever,’ and ‘Rise and Shine, Benedict Stone.’
Alongside the leading duo, ‘A Machu Picchu Proposal’ boasts a talented supporting cast that adds depth and charm to the film. In very important supporting roles, Michelle Rosselló stars as Luciana, while Christopher Vieira plays Dan. Adding to the film’s narrative, Alberto Wirz Revoredo dons the role of Cesar, while Fernando Farfan portrays Luis. Rounding out the ensemble are Lucia Caravedo, who portrays Maria, and Valentina Saba, who stars as Flores. With their performances, this diverse cast brings charm to the world of ‘A Machu Picchu Proposal,’ making it a heartwarming and entertaining watch for the viewers.
