Where was ‘Pluribus’ Episode 7 filmed? Manousos navigates the Darién Gap, chunga palms, and more

Pluribus Episode 6 shook things up by leaving Albuquerque, New Mexico, and traveling to Las Vegas, Nevada, for a Carol (Rhea Seehorn) and Mr. Diabaté (Samba Schutte) reunion. Though Carol returns home in Episode 7, Manousos (Carlos-Manuel Vesga) takes us on an even wilder ride as he leaves Paraguay behind and embarks on an arduous excursion to meet his fellow survivor.

Spoilers for Pluribus Episode 7 ahead.

From the moment Episode 7’s title, “The Gap,” was revealed and fans learned that Manousos was going on “a dangerous trek,” people feared he’d try to navigate The Darién Gap, a dangerous jungle between Panama and Colombia that connects Central and South America. Indeed, Manousos’ travels take him there. And after watching him navigate towns, winding roads, mountains, bodies of water, and chunga palms, Pluribus fans will likely be wondering, “Where was Pluribus Episode 7 filmed?” and “Are chunga palm trees real?!”

So where was “The Gap” filmed? Curious about the real-life filming locations in Pluribus Episode 7? Wondering where Pluribus filmed The Darién Gap scenes? What’s the deal with chunga palms? And where Seehorn was filming back in Albuquerque? As Episode 7 post-mort interviews are released, we’ll hopefully learn more details about specific filming locations in “The Gap,” but here’s what we know for now.

Where Was Pluribus Episode 7 Filmed? The Darién Gap Filming Locations

When chatting about Pluribus filming locations in the show’s production notes, creator Vince Gilligan shared that in addition to Albuquerque, New Mexico and Las Vegas, Nevada, the team filmed in Northern Spain and the Canary Islands. Old town streets, Spanish architecture, and breathtaking views appear as Manousos drives to Carol in Episode 7. And thanks to Instagram, we know several location shoots took place in La Palma (aka La Isla Bonita), one of Spain’s Canary Islands.

We know Darién Gap is very real, and that many migrants have embarked on treacherous journeys through the remote, 66-mile stretch of road-free terrain. But for the purposes of filming Pluribus Episode 7, production seemingly captured the jungle vibes needed for Manousos’ dangerous trek by filming at the following locations:

• Bosque de Los Tilos: A forest in La Palma full of greenery, hiking trails, access to the Marcos y Cordero Springs, and more natural beauty.
• Cubo de La Galga: A popular trail and tourist attraction in La Palma that offers various difficulties and more stunning forest, mountain, and water views.

Are Chunga Palms Real? What To Know About The Deadly Tree That Injured Manousos

Before Manousos trekked through the Darién Gap, the Others warned him about the chunga palms, saying, “The spines can grow up to 20 centimeters long, and they’re covered in bacteria. Even the smallest cut could lead to a fatal infection.” Deep into his hike, Manousos does encounter the terrifying trees and gets impaled by the spiky exterior, which leads to his ultimate collapse in the jungle. So are chunga palms real? You bet! Also referred to as astrocaryum standleyanum or black palm, the trees are found in rainforests through Central and South America, including Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, and Panama.

Per Rainforest Foundation US, “The chunga palm is an imposing species that reaches between 49-66 feet tall. Its trunk is armored with sharp black spines resembling porcupine quills, some reaching up to 8 inches in length. When touched, they crack and feel as rough as straw.” While leaves and fibers can be used to weave baskets and make other goods, the bacteria on the spines poses a real threat to humans. So they must be handled with caution.

Rhea Seehorn’s Episode 7 Adventure: Jemez Springs, Georgia O’Keeffe Museum, And More

While Manousos was exploring the jungle in Episode 7, Carol was having a few field trips of her own to various attractions in New Mexico including Jemez Springs in Sandoval County, the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum in Santa Fe, and Albuquerque Country Club (which was also featured in Better Call Saul).

New episodes of Pluribus premiere Fridays on Apple TV.