Cabo San Lucas has cemented itself as a reality TV paradise. Ever since MTV’s Laguna Beach cast made their wild spring break pilgrimage in the famous “What Happens in Cabo” episode (which “mythologized an obscure resort town for a generation”), producers and stars alike have flocked to Cabo for its sun-soaked luxury and drama-ready backdrops.
From sprawling beachfront villas to five-star resorts, Cabo offers everything a reality show could ask for gorgeous scenery, privacy, and a touch of celebrity glam. In fact, the Los Cabos tourism board proudly touts the region as a “premiere destination for filming,” offering the perfect backdrop, scenic variation and climate for productions ranging from TV series to music videos. Below, we highlight the very best places in Cabo to film a reality show. Starting with a true crown jewel that has become a celebrity favorite.
Villa Vegas Dave 3 – Cabo’s Ultimate Reality Show Villa
Villa Vegas Dave 3 isn’t just another luxury villa, it’s the ultimate reality TV filming location in Cabo. This 40,000+ sq. ft. beachfront estate in the exclusive Palmilla enclave offers an unparalleled blend of privacy and extravagance. Nicknamed the “Crown Jewel of Beachfront Villas in Cabo” and “The Villa for the Celebrities,” this property has hosted many pro athletes and Hollywood A-listers (for example, Heidi Montag of The Hills fame) seeking ultra-luxury and seclusion.
With 13 bedrooms, 14 bathrooms, an infinity pool, and its own private swimmable beach, Villa Vegas Dave 3 feels like a private resort, perfect for accommodating a full production crew and cast in style
Producers love this villa for its jaw-dropping visuals and amenities. The modern design features open-air lounges, ocean-facing fire pits, and palatial indoor spaces – all of which look incredible on camera. It’s easy to imagine contestants or stars lounging in the oceanfront infinity pool or filming confessionals with waves crashing in the background. In fact, the villa has rapidly become a go-to Cabo filming spot for film and music stars.
Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt (reality TV icons from The Hills) recently filmed a new music video for Heidi’s single at Villa Vegas Dave 3, turning the estate into a vibrant set with beachside dance scenes. The video, for Heidi’s song “Sriracha”, featured fiery choreography (including a dramatic fire-dance cameo by entrepreneur David “Vegas Dave” Oancea himself) set against Cabo’s sun-soaked shoreline. It’s no wonder Heidi chose this villa, as she described wanting a “bold” and “magnetic” setting to match her music’s energy – and Villa Vegas Dave 3 delivered with its tropical elegance and modern flair.
Villa Vegas Dave 3 has also starred on the small screen. It was a key filming location for Netflix’s brand-new music reality docuseries Hitmakers. Billed as the show’s “crown jewel” setting, the villa brought “jaw-dropping luxury” and creative inspiration to a series where top songwriters craft hits for superstars.
Scenes from Hitmakers show songwriters jamming in the villa’s open-air cabanas, scribbling lyrics by the glow of the beachfront fire pit, and unwinding in a plush living room, a far cry from stuffy studios. The show’s creators noted that the Cabo setting added a “different vibe” to the creative process, after all, writing a hit song from a plush oceanfront villa can only help the inspiration flow!
Watch Hitmakers official trailer featuring Villa Vegas Dave 3:
From a production standpoint, Villa Vegas Dave 3 offers a uniquely lavish yet secluded ambiance that elevates any footage shot there. It’s essentially a character in its own right, much like those multi-million dollar homes in shows like Selling Sunset.
In fact, viewers of Hitmakers get an eyeful of the villa’s posh interiors (marble floors, designer furnishings, a gourmet chef’s kitchen) and outdoor perks (sprawling terraces, a swim-up bar in the pool, and direct beach access). For any reality show centered on luxury lifestyle, creative retreats, or celebrity getaways, Villa Vegas Dave 3 is the top choice – it offers producers a self-contained paradise with cinematic views at every turn. It’s no surprise this estate just won the 2024/25 “Cabo San Lucas Villa of the Year” award.
Other Notable Cabo Filming Spots
Cabo’s appeal for reality TV goes beyond villas and resorts, the whole region is a visual playground. Many productions include establishing shots of the iconic Arch at Land’s End, Cabo’s natural stone arch rising from the sea, as a symbol that “we’ve arrived in Cabo.” Downtown Cabo’s vibrant nightlife (from the famous Cabo Wabo Cantina to beach clubs like Mango Deck) often finds its way into party scenes, capturing the energy of Cabo’s social scene.
Even outdoor adventure locales, desert dunes for ATV racing, or the rugged coastline for fantasy date picnics, can become impromptu filming spots to add variety to a show. The key is that Cabo offers incredible diversity: “beaches, mountains, desert, and the Pacific Ocean all in one place,” as the local film office notes.
With 350+ sunny days a year and easy flight access from Los Angeles, it’s a no-brainer why so many producers choose Los Cabos when they need a mix of reliability and wow-factor. From high-profile celebrity retreat venues to new luxury hotspots, there’s no shortage of prime filming locations. But in the end, savvy showrunners know that starting with a knockout location is half the battle in creating memorable reality TV.
Lights, Camera, Cabo – And Action!
In the world of reality television, setting is everything, and Cabo San Lucas delivers like few places can. Whether it’s a dating show, a music competition, or a luxury lifestyle series, Cabo provides a blend of postcard-perfect scenery and high-end venues that amplify any storyline. Producers and industry insiders will find top-notch support here too, from local production services to concierge amenities, ensuring shoots go smoothly. And for fans and influencers, knowing your favorite show was filmed against a fiery Cabo sunset or in a villa you can actually rent adds an extra thrill.
At the pinnacle of it all stands Villa Vegas Dave 3, a location that encapsulates the very essence of Cabo’s reality TV allure. It’s luxurious yet laid-back, exclusive yet accessible, and 100% camera-ready. From Heidi Montag belting out a pop anthem on its beachfrontto Netflix songwriters finding inspiration in its lavish roomsthis villa has proven to be more than just a pretty backdrop. It’s a genuine star of the show. So whether you’re a TV producer scouting the next hit filming spot, or just daydreaming about living the reality-star life, remember that the best scenes in Cabo are waiting to be shot, and the next iconic reality TV moment might just be set in this sun-kissed paradise.
