Julián Gil and Val Marín chose an unconventional "honeymoon" destination. Instead of a traditional resort, the couple ventured into the Dominican jungle. They are the hosts of El Conquistador, described as the world’s most extreme survival reality show.
Gil emphasized the authenticity of the experience. "Here the risk is real," he told Us Weekly en Español. "There is nothing faked; we don’t have actors. These are normal people reaching physical and mental limits."
The show, produced by TelevisaUnivision, pits three teams against wild conditions. They face food scarcity and logic-defying challenges. Competitors battle for a $200,000 prize.
The experience was equally demanding for the hosts. "Although we didn’t compete, it was very tough for us too," Marín confessed. She noted that they slept little and endured constant insect bites.
Marín, a TUDN sports journalist, recalled encounters with "gengén" mosquitos that bite through clothing. She also mentioned continuous rain, lack of facilities, and persistent humidity. Marín joked that viewers would see them "climbing rocks, holding hands because Juli was afraid of heights."
For Gil, 54, this show marked a significant professional moment. He found it "impressive" to see contestants "break or be reborn" on camera. He valued sharing this intense journey with his wife, Marín, 34.
Their journey also inspired "Luna de Miel Extrema" (Extreme Honeymoon). This docu-reality provides behind-the-scenes access to their experience. It is available exclusively on ViX.
Marín explained their decision to share their personal lives. "We decided to open up our intimacy and show the audience how a reality show is made from the inside," she stated. The docu-reality promises an unfiltered look at their daily lives, including "laughter, discussions, curiosities, and very personal moments."
Gil highlighted how the show merged their professional worlds. "Val comes from the sports world, I from entertainment, and El Conquistador allowed us to unite these two universes," he said. He credited Marín for teaching him about technical aspects, while he contributed his showman side. The experience strengthened them as both a couple and professionals.
Marín stressed the program’s natural setting. "Nature is the track," she explained. "When you have to row, it’s in open water. If you have to climb, it’s a real mountain. Nothing is constructed; everything is natural." This authenticity, she believes, sets it apart from other Spanish-language reality shows.
El Conquistador premieres Monday, October 27. It airs at 8 p.m. Eastern Time / 7 p.m. Central Time on UniMás. The companion docu-reality, "Luna de Miel Extrema," streams on ViX immediately after each broadcast.