Hello, all! An old member here, decided to make a new account after a extended hiatus.
I wanted to add my thoughts in regards to the speculations about potential countries/locations.
I will go region by region, stating which locations/combinations I believe will most likely be used:
I will start off with Latin America:
Likelihood that the race will visit: Likely
The region has not been used for 2 seasons, and now seems like a perfect time to return. My personal opinion is that South America is much more likely than Central, or the Caribbean. The region will get 2-3 legs, either at the very beginning or very end of the race.
My top choices:
1. Ecuador/Peru (3 legs)
Two very wonderful countries that have been sorely underused by the U.S. franchise. Ecuador, especially Guayaquil is relatively easy to get to from the U.S., so having the premiere/penultimate legs here would not necessarily be a logistical mess. Guayaquil is Ecuador's largest city, so it can very easily host it's own leg; it is also the main jumping off point to reach the Galapagos Islands, which would be amazing to shoot in HD. For Peru, the only place they really visited was Cusco and Machu Picchu (sort of), and that was way back in Season 7. Even a return to that area to get a proper use of it would be a breath of fresh air. Plenty of connecting flights between Guayaquil and Lima, and Lima is only a couple hours flight from major hubs that can get teams to Europe, Africa, or the South Pacific and vice versa. (If they can get from Bolivia to New Zealand in Season 13, they could easily to something similar with Peru, just sayin')
2. Brazil (2 legs)
Brazil is an old go to for the Amazing Race, it is one country that no matter how many times it gets visited, there always seems to be a new energy and pizzazz to it. Though I would not be surprised to see a return to Sao Paulo, I personally believe that should the race return to Brazil it will feature new cities. Not since Season 2 has the race ventured into the interior of the country (though Brotas (S9) wasn't on the coast, it definitely wouldn't constitute it being called an 'interior city'). Look out for places like Brasilia or even Manaus (wishful thinking).
3. Peru/Bolivia (3 legs)
I'm itching for a return to Peru, and for good reason. The country is rich in history and culture and yet gets overlooked for countries like Argentina, Brazil, and Chile. I think Peru's next turn is coming soon. I would love them to cross the border from Peru to Bolivia via Lake Titicaca, I think it would work very well and look nice (also, it's a place that many Americans know because of it's name). They can then take teams to the Salt Flats in Bolivia, or one of several other Bolivian sites and cities so far skipped by the race.
I don't see much else as a strong possibility, outside of a Central American or Caribbean team being the first destination, or hosting the penultimate or even part of the final leg, before returning to the States. Likely candidates for that role:
1. Dominican Republic (could be used as an opening leg, before heading to Brazil or Europe)
2. Barbados (same as the D.R.)
3. Belize (could see this come in as something similar to Puerto Rico in S7- part of the final leg, hosting a couple tasks before returning to the U.S.)
4. Bahamas (same as Belize)
I don't believe Northern South America is quite ready to host the U.S. franchise (or maybe we're still not ready for it), and for the most part, the Caribbean and C.A. just seem too close to home for production to want to make a point of going there.
Feel free to comment on my thoughts, and add your speculation and opinions to my own- just trying to get conversations started
And if you'd like, my thoughts on where in Europe, if they go to Africa, and the general race route will come later!