| Sun. | Mon. | Tue. | Wed. | Thu. | Fri. | Sat. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-game | Ep1: "You're Looking at the New Leader of Your Tribe" | Ep2: "You Own My Vote" | Ep3: "Keep Hope Alive" | |||
| Day 0 (August 15) Pre-game press interviews? |
Day 1 (August 16) 
Filming begins. |
Day 2 (August 17) |
Day3 (August 18) 
Ep.1 idol: Kristina
(On Day 3 as shown) Kristina finds the Ometepe hidden immunity idol, without benefit of an idol clue. 
Ep.1 RC/IC: Push It Uphill
Each tribe will push four heavy blocks along a track, which together make a staircase to climb to the base of a temple. One person (Ralph, Matt) will use an axe to chop through several ropes, releasing another staircase. Then the whole tribe climbs to the top, where they assemble a three-layer pyramid puzzle. Results: Zapatera (with five guys and Julie) takes a massive lead pushing the heavy blocks, wins easily. TC1 - Francesca voted out (4-3-2), goes to Redemption Island; 18 left. |
Day 4 (August 19) 
Ep.2 idol: Ralph
While collecting rocks, Ralph finds the Zapatera idol hidden under a rock that's sitting in a hole in a log. Way to hide it, SEG. |
Day 5 (August 20) 
Ep.2 RC/IC: Smash, Grab, Smash
David sits out. Five tribe members will swim across a pool, climb a ladder, then jump to smash a tile over the pool, releasing a key, then retrieve the key and swim it across the pool. Once all five keys are retrieved, one person (Stephanie, Natalie) will use them to unlock three locks on a box, releasing a ball. The remaining two people (Krista/Ralph - really just Ralph, and Kristina/Phillip - really just Phillip) will then use the ball to smash five tiles on a skee-ball type ramp. Results. Ometepe has a one-key lead entering the locks, but Zapatera opens their box first. Tiles broken: Phillip-1, Ralph-1,2,3,4, Phillip-2,3,4, Ralph-5. Zapatera wins immunity + fishing gear. TC2 - Matt voted out (4-2-[0]), goes to RI |
Day 6 (August 21) 
Ep.3 duel: Jail Break
Andrea, Ashley, Steve, David watch. Matt and Francesca must tie sticks together to retrive three keys, to open a 'jail' door. Despite an early 2-0 lead for Francesca, Matt wins, and Francesca is eliminated. |
| Ep3: "Keep Hope Alive" | Ep4: "Don't You Work For Me?" | Ep5: "We Hate Our Tribe" | ||||
| Day 7 (August 22) |
Day 8 (August 23) 
Ep.3 RC/IC: Spin Cycle
Ralph, Sarita sit out. As mostly seen in S21: Nicaragua. Three tribe members (Julie, Stephanie, Krista; Natalie, Andrea, Kristina) will be strapped to a large wheel, which three other tribe members will turn. As the wheel turns, contestants strapped to it will be dunked underwater. They must fill their mouths with water, then spit it out into a tube. Eventually the tube will fill enough to tip, releasing a ball that one tribe member (David, Rob) must complete a slide to solve, then move the ball through, Results: Zapatera "loses" after intentionally tanking the spitting part, then David throws the puzzle leg. Ometepe wins immunity plus comfort items (2 chairs, tarp, blankets, pillows, lantern). TC3 - Russell voted out (3-3-3; 5-1), goes to RI. |
Day 9 (August 24) |
Day 10 (August 25) 
Ep.4 duel: Domino Effect
Phillip, Kristina; Sarita, Ralph watch. Russell and Matt must arrange wood blocks on a crooked track while avoiding trip hazards, then knock them over like dominoes to release a ball, and break a tile. After each makes a failed try, Matt wins, Russell is eliminated. Russell cries, then outs all of Zapatera's secrets to Phillip and Kristina. 
Ep.4 idol: Boston Rob
Ep4 Idol (Day 10, during the duel): After coming up with a 'beach day' trip to get the tribe away from camp, and a 'constipation' excuse for ditching it, Rob finds the Ometepe idol after minutes of searching. |
Day 11 (August 26) 
Ep.4 RC/IC: Toolin' Around
Krista sits out. Ralph, Rob use crowbars to uncrate shovels. Julie, Grant dig up hatchets. Ralph, Rob chop through log/rope to release saws. Steve/Mike, Phillip/Grant saw off planks. Stephanie/Sarita, Rob/Kristina do plank puzzle. Stephanie, Ashley untie knots on hammers. Ralph drives nails to break tiles. Andrea, Natalie, and David do absolutely nothing. Zapatera wins immunity, barbecue items and food. TC4 - Kristina voted out (4-3), goes to RI. |
Day 12 (August 27) 
Ep.5 duel: Cube Crisis
Rob, Grant; Krista, Stephanie watch. Matt and Kristina must each complete a simple 3x3 block puzzle. Matt wins, Kristina is eliminated. |
Day 13 (August 28) 
Ep.5 RC/IC: Smoko
Julie, Steve sit out. Rob, Stephanie are callers, directing blindfolded tribemates through a maze to bags of puzzle pieces. Once all four bags are retrieved, Rob and Stephanie do a word puzzle ('The sweet taste of victory'). Results: Ometepe starts the puzzle with a slight lead, and never loses it. Ometepe wins immunity, coffee, and pastries. TC5 - Krista voted out (6-2), goes to RI. |
| Ep6: "Their Red-headed Stepchild" | Ep7: "It Don't Take a Smart One" | Ep8: "This Game Respects Big Moves" | ||||
| Day 14 (August 29) 
Ep.6 duel: Grapple & Maze
Julie, Mike; Andrea, Natalie watch. Contestants must use a grappling hook to retrieve three bags. Each bag contains a ball. Once all three are retrieved, they must move just one ball through a table (mostly as seen in Tocantins). Results: Krista starts on the table maze before Matt gets his third bag, but Matt beats Krista. Krista gives Matt her Bible (her personal item that she received at RI that morning). (Probst appears at Emmys). |
Day 15 (August 30) |
Day 16 (August 31) 
Ep.6 RC/IC: Beach Balls
Sarita sits out. Also as seen in Tocantins. Two players from each tribe (Natalie, Phillip; Stephanie, David) must launch balls out over the beach, while the remaining tribe members must try to catch the balls in a net. Any catch, regardless of color ball, scores a point for the tribe. First tribe to five points wins immunity and reward: A getaway picnic at the Cristo de Misericordia (Jesus) statue. Results: Ometepe wins, 5-0 (4-Grant, 1-Rob). At the reward, Grant finds another idol clue, he shares with Rob, and Phillip catches them. TC6 - Stephanie voted out (5-2), goes to RI. |
Day 17 (Sept. 1) 
Ep.7 duel: Concentration
David, Ralph; Rob, Phillip watch. Contestants must flip two tiles in a 4x5 grid, revealing their symbols. If they match, they score a point. First player to five points wins. Results: Rd.1 - Both players randomly pick matches on their first try! (M1, S1). Rd.2 - no matches. Rd.3: Matt scores, (M2, S1). Rd.4 - both score (M3, S2). Rd.5 - both score (M4, S3). Rd.6 - both wrong. Rd.7 - Matt scores, so Matt beats Stephanie, 5-3. |
Day 18 (Sept. 2) 
Ep.7 RC/IC: Crash Course
All compete, same challenge as "Three Little Pigs O-Course" from S21: Nicaragua. Tribes must go through a series of obstacles (hay bales, mud crawl, sticks, ropes, two-layer net crawl, brick walls) collecting bags of balls from overhead springs along the way. Once they reach the end, they must shoot all six balls into a high, narrow hoop. First tribe to land all six balls wins. Results: Balls landed - Grant 3, Mike 2, Steve 2, Ralph 1. Zapatera leads, 5-3, but Mike and Steve keep missing, Grant lands the last three. Ometepe wins immunity plus a helicopter trip to a picnic on an active volcano, where Rob finds and tosses into the caldera another idol clue. TC7 - Sarita voted out (4-2), goes to R.I.; 11 left. |
Day 19 (Sept. 3) 
Ep.8 duel: Chimney Sweeps
Everyone watches. As seen in S18: Tocantins and S20: HvsV. Contestants must use their arms to brace themselves while standing on narrow footholds. At regular intervals (15 min.), they move down to smaller ones. Last one standing wins, re-enters the game. Results: Both reach the third footholds, but Sarita drops at some point after the transition (no time announced). Matt wins, re-enters game. Matt re-enters game, 12 left. Tribes merge, Murlonio formed. |
Day 20 (Sept. 4) |
| Ep8: "This Game..." | Ep9: "The Buddy System" | Ep10: "Rice Wars" | ||||
| Day 21 (Sept. 5) 
Ep.8 IC: Rollerballs
First individual IC. Contestants must stand on a small (horizontal) log, while balancing a small disc on their hand and forearm. On the disc, they must balance a ball. At regular intervals, they add more balls, up to three total. If they drop a ball or fall off, they're out. Order out: 12. Julie out first (1 ball); 11. Ashley, 10. David (2 balls); 9. Andrea, 8. Grant, 7. Matt, 6. Rob, 5. Phillip, 4. Ralph, 3. Steve, 2. Mike, so 1. Natalie wins. TC8 - Matt voted out again (6-5-1), goes back to RI. |
Day 22 (Sept. 6) 
Ep.9 Final 11 IC: Meso Soup
Three-stage elimination challenge. First round: Contestants must dig up a club, undo knots, break tile, first six advance. Order finished: 1. Grant, 2. Rob, 3. Ralph, 4. Mike, 5. David, 6. Julie. 7. Steve close, but out. Also out: 8-t. Andrea, Ashley, Natalie, Phillip. Round 2: Contestants must dunk their head in a trough, fill their mouth with water, crawl under the trough, then fill a tubes with the water. First three advance. Order in: 1. Grant, 2. Mike, 3. David. (4. Rob, 5-t. Julie, Ralph all out). Final stage: It's a 3-layer pyramid puzzle. Results: 1.Grant wins at final puzzle, 2-t Mike, David. TC9 - Mike voted out (6-5), goes to RI. |
Day 23 (Sept. 7) |
Day 24 (Sept. 8) 
Ep.9 Final 10 IC: Gang Hang
Phillip, Steve opt out to eat cheeseburgers; Contestants must hang from a bar over water for as long as they can. After 20 minutes, they can only use their legs. Last one still hanging wins. Results: 8. Rob. [20 min.] 7. Julie, 6. Grant, 5. Ralph. [45 min.] 4. David. After David drops, Andrea negotiates a win: 3. Ashley, 2. Natalie, 1. Andrea wins. TC10 - David voted out (6-4), goes to RI. |
Day 25 (Sept. 9) 
Ep.10 duel: House of Cards
All attend. Ciontestants will have 150 wooden tiles, from which they must build a tall house of cards. The first two to reach 8 feet stay alive. Results: Mike first, Matt second, David out, is the first juror. |
Day 26 (Sept. 10) |
Day 27 (Sept. 11) 
Ep.10 IC: Mayan Pizza
Two-stage elimination challenge. First round: Contestants must spin around to release a round puzzle frame, then use it to do an easy 6-piece puzzle. First six to do so advance. Order in: 1. Rob, 2. Julie, 3. Ralph, 4. Andrea, 5. Steve, 6. Grant. Out (tie-7th: Natalie, Ashley, Phillip). Second round: The completed first-round puzzle now forms the center of a second, slightly tougher 16-piece puzzle. First to complete it wins immunity. Results: 1. Rob wins, 2. Steve finishes his a second behind Rob; tie-3. Andrea, Grant; tie-5. Julie, Ralph. TC11 - Julie voted out (6-3), goes to RI. |
| Ep11: "A Mystery Package" | Ep12: "You Mangled My Nets" | Ep13: "Too Close for Comfort" | ||||
| Day 28 (Sept. 12) 
Ep.11 duel: Survivor Shuffle Board
Everyone watches. It's individual shuffleboard with three tables, each with three pucks. There are three obstacles in the middle of the table, but each player has three shots to land a puck in the end zone. After each round, missed pucks are returned. First and second to land all three pucks in the end zone at once wins. The other is eliminated. Results: Mike-1, Mike-2, Julie-1, Matt-1,2,3 (Matt wins), Mike-3 (Mike 2nd). Julie is out. |
Day 29 (Sept. 13) |
Day 30 (Sept. 14) 
Ep.11 Final 8 RC/IC: Log Jam
One-on-one log-rolling contest. Round 1: Grant beats Rob, Ashley beats Andrea, Ralph beast Steve, Phillip beats Natalie. Round 2: Grant beats Ashley, Ralph beats Phillip. Round 3: Grants wins, gets immunity plus two minutes to eat chocolate cake and milk, which he shares with Rob and Andrea. TC12 - Ralph voted out (6-2), goes to RI. 
Ep.11 Final 7 IC: Memory
Held at Tribal Council immediately after Ralph leaves. Probst flashes a series of seven cards. Contestants must show him each card, one at a time, and are out if they make an error. t-6. Natalie, Phillip out on 4th card; t-4. Grant, Andrea on 5th; t-2. Ashley, Steve on 6th. 1. Rob wins, in a few minutes. TC13 - Steve voted out (6-1), goes to RI. |
Day 31 (Sept. 15) 
Ep.12 duel: Rock Block
Murlonio and RI camps both receive Sprint phones loaded with videos from home prior to the duel. All attend. At the duel, each contestant has four ceramic tiles placed increasing distance from their stand. They must toss a metal ball from the stand, trying to break a tile. First three to break all their tiles stay alive, fourth place is out. First to finish wins a loved one visit. Results: Rd.1: Mike-1. Rd.2: Matt-1, Mike-2, Ralph-1, Steve-1. Rd.3: Matt-2, Mike-3, Ralph-2. Rd.4: Mike-4 (wins!). Rd.5: Matt-3, Ralph-3. Rd.6: Matt-4, Ralph-4. Steve is out. Mike gives his visit to Murlonio/Ometepe. Mike gives family visit to six remaining Ometepe. (S21 Ep1 airs) |
Day 32 (Sept. 16) 
Ep.12 IC: Step On It
Contestants must do a giant staircase puzzle (with three sets of six planks), one plank at a time. Rob, Andrea, and Grant trade off the lead throughout, but eventually Rob wins, after 'literally carrying his family on his back.' Ashley is a distant fourth, and Natalie and Phillip are barely competing. TC14 - Andrea voted out (5-1), goes to RI. |
Day 33 (Sept. 17) 
Ep.13 duel: A Maze N' Jig
Everyone watches. As seen in S20: HvsV. Contestants must move a handle through a long table maze, then smash a tile with the handle upon completing it. Smashing the tile reveals a puzzle bag, with which they must complete a picture/word puzzle ("One step closer to redemption"). Order through the maze: Ralph, then Mike. Matt, Andrea. But on the puzzle, it's 1. Mike wins, 2. Matt, seconds before 3. Andrea. So 4. Ralph is out. |
Day 34 (Sept. 18) No challenges scheduled. Call sheet: here. |
| Ep13: "Too Close for Comfort" | Ep14: "Seems Like a No-Brainer" (season finale) | Game over | ||||
| Day 35 (Sept. 19) 
Ep.13 IC: Bone to Pick
With one hand tied to their side, contestants must retrieve puzzle bags with a series of hooks, and complete a fish puzzle, which can be assembled in any order as long as the bones don't touch each other. Ashley wins. TC15 - Grant voted out (4-1), goes to RI (4 total there); 4 left in-game. Call sheet: here. |
Day 36 (Sept. 20) 
Ep.14 duel: A Leg Up
Everyone watches. Contestants must keep a ceramic vase balanced on the end of a seesaw until it falls. Grant's falls first (5th juror), then Matt's (6th juror), then Mike's (7th juror). Andrea wins, re-enters the game. Call sheet: here. |
Day 37 (Sept. 21) 
Ep.14 Final 5 IC: A Numbers Game
Contestants must cross a balance beam, and retrieve four sets of puzzle bags (one at a time) with 10, 20, 30, or 40 tiles, numbered 1-100. Tiles must be placed in numerical order. Yep, that's all there is to it. Ashley wins. TC16 - Andrea voted out again (4-[0]). Call sheet: here. |
Day 38 (Sept. 22) 
Ep.14 Final 4 IC: Meso Maze
Contestants must traverse a giant maze to four stations containing puzzle bags. They must then decode a four-word puzzle ('Only you are safe'). Results: Rob and Ashley get out to an early lead, with Ashley tailing Rob closely through the maze. Phillip more or less keeps pace, Natalie just looks lost. Rob and Ashley start the word puzzle as Phillip has three bags, Natalie one. Ashley has three of the four words, but somehow, Rob wins. TC17 - Ashley voted out (3-1). Call sheet: here. (S21 Ep2 airs) |
Day 39 (Sept. 23) 
Final Tribal Council
Rob wins, 8-1-0 over 'Phile' and Natalie, respectively. Rob wins, 8-1-0, over Phillip and Natalie. |
(Sept. 24) Departure. Contestants fly back to the U.S. |
(Sept. 25) Contestants arrive back home; inevitable facebook activity resumes. |
