Shubhabrata Dutta
Season 3 of Netflix’s dating reality show ‘Perfect Match’ turns up the heat big time. How? By bringing together newbies from shows like ‘Love Island’ and ‘The Bachelor,’ and the hottest singles from ‘Too Hot to Handle,’ ‘Temptation Island,’ and ‘Love Is Blind.’ Hosted by Nick Lachey, the show has the participants pair up and participate in different “physical” challenges that test their strengths and skills. The couple that wins gets the power to introduce new singles and pair them up with someone in the villa, including themselves, and set up potential matches.
What raises the stakes are the situationships that take shape over the course of the show, often resulting in jealousy, hatred, heated exchanges, backstabs, and more trouble. The goal is to survive it all and become the “Perfect Match.” The prize is an all-expenses-paid vacation at a destination of the couple’s choice. The villa, where the show takes place, serves as the “paradise” for the singles, letting them learn who they are compatible with. Naturally, gorgeous backdrops become necessary to highlight the nature of the show and give the participants a feeling of being in heaven.
Perfect Match Season 3 Filming Locations
‘Perfect Match’ Season 3 is filmed entirely in Mexico, specifically in Tulum, just like Season 2. Principal photography seemingly began in the third week of August 2024 and went on for almost two months before wrapping up in the second week of October the same year. The cast and crew had a great time shooting in the secluded location that serves as a secondary character for the reality show, observing the participants and providing a sense of surveillance.
Tulum, Mexico
Tulum, a municipality on the Caribbean coast in the state of Quintana Roo, became the base for filming. A luxurious, isolated villa was opted for, wherein the crew set up cameras at strategic spots to capture the couples from as many angles as possible. While the villa boasts an infinity pool, posh lounge areas, and other state-of-the-art facilities, the crew had to build sets based on the show’s requirements and the various challenges/tasks, some of which were on water. Considering the psychological effects the format of the show can have on the participants, a pre-filming evaluation was conducted by a licensed mental health professional. They also had access to mental health support services during and after filming.
Sections of the show were filmed at Ajal Tulum, a treehouse boutique hotel at Avenida 30-sur, calle 12 Sur con. It comprises four deluxe private tree houses, a bar, a restaurant, and a jungle observation tower, serving as a perfect natural getaway for visitors. The tree houses range from 430 square feet to 645 square feet, with private balconies and are at least 50 feet from each other, ensuring privacy for the guests. The rooms are made of wood, stone, and “coco-crete,” and the hotel has its own underground freshwater system and is solar powered.
The crew also set up shop in Holistika Hotel, located at Avenida 10 Sur, Lote 4, Zona 11, Manzana 902. The luxurious wellness boutique hotel in the Riviera Maya offers guests a holistic and healing experience with a lot of peace and quiet. It has 24 rooms, including single beds, double beds, and the beehive with multiple bunk beds, with modern amenities like A/C and wi-fi. It also has a vegan/vegetarian restaurant offering exquisite plant-based meals made with local ingredients. Other amenities include a shala for yoga practice, a pool, an art walk, a boutique, a tree house, a fireplace, and a pottery space.
Orchid House, located at Aldea Zama Calle Kinich Na, was used for filming too. The 5-star hotel boasts 18 rooms, including suites, a rooftop pool, an à la carte restaurant, and a beach bar, among other amenities. Designed in the form of a natural habitat, it is made to provide tranquility and comfort. Finally, there is the Tulum Fight Club, located at Xcaret Street between Kukulkan Avenue and Yam Che Street, which was utilized for some tasks. It offers Boxing and Muay Thai training with group sessions, fight camps, 1-1 sessions, and an open boxing gym, where you can train on your own. Mexico itself served as the base for Netflix’s ‘Hitmakers.‘
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