But while the story appears to take place in far-flung locales like South America’s notorious Darién Gap and New Mexico, the series actually filmed those sequences in a mix of real and stand-in locations chosen for their cinematic versatility and production practicality.
The Darién Gap — Filmed in Spain (Canary Islands & Northern Spain)
Although Episode 7’s plot has Manousos attempting to cross the Darién Gap, a dense jungle region between Panama and Colombia that lacks roads in real life, the Pluribus production did not film there.
Instead, the creators replicated the sense of jungle peril using European landscapes:
La Palma (Canary Islands, Spain) — Known locally as La Isla Bonita, La Palma’s rugged terrain, verdant forests, and dramatic backdrops doubled convincingly for wild, roadless settings in Manousos’s trek.
Northern Spain & Other Canary Islands Locations — Productions also shot in nearby islands and coastal areas (including parts of Gran Canaria) to portray the long road sequences and transitions in Manousos’s cross-continental montage.
Fans have even identified specific roads and towns — such as the GC-200 coastal road on Gran Canaria and Tazacorte on La Palma — that appear to match scenes from Manousos’s drive in the episode, reinforcing how intensely these Spanish locales double for far-away terrain.
Why Spain? The Canary Islands and northern Spain were chosen both because they can mimic diverse global landscapes and because they keep production efficient while still feeling physically grounded — even when the story wants viewers to believe characters are in the remotest reaches of South America.
Chunga Palms — Inspiration and Real Trees
In the episode, Manousos encounters chunga palms, a dangerous rainforest species noted for long, bacteria-coated spines that pose a physical threat.
These palms — Astrocaryum standleyanum — are real trees found in parts of Central and South American rainforests including Panama and Colombia.
While the Pluribus jungle was filmed in Spain, the inclusion of chunga palms adds authenticity to the narrative’s perilous jungle theme, grounding Manousos’s injuries in real biology even if the forest itself was simulated on location.
Carol’s Story — New Mexico and Albuquerque
Parallel to Manousos’s journey, Episode 7 also follows Carol (played by Rhea Seehorn) back in the American Southwest.
These scenes were mainly filmed on location in New Mexico — where Pluribus is set and where the bulk of the series was shot:
Albuquerque, New Mexico — The show’s primary base, with Carol’s neighborhood and domestic scenes shot throughout the city and surrounding desert areas.
Jemez Springs, Georgia O’Keeffe Museum (Santa Fe), Albuquerque Country Club — Various recognizable New Mexico landmarks feature as Carol’s excursions and emotional moments in the episode.
In fact, the series constructed an entire purpose-built suburban cul-de-sac outside Albuquerque for consistent and controlled shooting throughout the season, enabling detailed stunts, night scenes, and continuity without impacting private residences.
Production Notes & Filming Context
The Pluribus production ran for several months, with principal photography taking place through 2024 under a working title — and Albuquerque serving as the core hub for most episodes.
Spanish locations were strategically used across the season to provide geographically diverse visuals without necessitating multiple intercontinental shoots.
Social media posts from local residents and additional fan analyses have highlighted specific streets and backdrops in the Canary Islands that appeared in Episode 7’s sequences, adding real-world context to the show’s cinematography.
Conclusion
Pluribus Episode 7 delivers a visually expansive journey that spans continents in narrative but relies on a clever blend of Spanish landscapes and New Mexican settings to bring those story beats to life.
From the simulated wilderness of La Palma and Gran Canaria standing in for the infamous Darién Gap to Carol’s introspective steps through New Mexico landmarks, the episode showcases how world-building in modern television often mixes far-flung inspiration with practical production choices.
