Hallmark’s A Machu Picchu Proposal feels like a postcard come to life — vibrant, romantic, and filled with the kind of unexpected moments that only travel (and love) can bring.
When Katie’s brother’s proposal plans go sideways, she finds herself entangled with Carlos, a charming chef who’d rather follow instinct than itineraries.
The result? A sweeping adventure set against the breathtaking Peruvian landscape — and a love story that blossoms in the shadow of one of the world’s most awe-inspiring wonders.
For actor Alec Santos, who plays Carlos, filming the movie on location was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
“It was a dream come true in many ways,” Alec shared. “We shot in Machu Picchu, right? That is a bucket-list place for so many people.”
But shooting in a world wonder isn’t exactly peaceful. “It’s not a closed set. There’s a lot of noise — dogs barking, people shouting. As you shoot, you have to get used to it.
“We don’t cut. If there’s a crazy noise, we wait for it to die down, and then we stop briefly and continue the scene. So it’s a different skill set.
“But in a sense, it’s easier, because you’re not on a set. How can I not look like I’m having the time of my life when Machu Picchu is the background?”
A Curated Adventure — and A Cultural Exchange
As part of Hallmark’s Passport to Love series, the film didn’t just use Peru as a scenic backdrop — it fully immersed the cast and crew in the local culture.
“People pay a lot of money to go to different countries and sometimes have a trip curated for them,” Alec said.
“It was the best of curations. We got to go to places where tourists don’t get to go. We got to meet real local people, including local actors, who had a lot to say about the area. It was an immersion you couldn’t put a price on.”
That even extended to how they shared meals on set. “There’s a scene where we make a Pachamanca, which is an Indigenous ritual of making this dish in the earth — like Mother Earth makes it for you. It took us the whole day.
“We had real Peruvians telling us exactly how to do everything. At the end of the day, we were done shooting, and everyone — wardrobe, boom operator, director — we all got to eat. It brought home that it’s not about the food, but who you share it with and how you share it. That was a really special experience.”
A Hallmark Romance With Food, Opposites, and Joy
Carlos may be a chef in the movie, but Alec didn’t have to worry about slicing or dicing. “Luckily, he was a chef on vacation,” he laughed.
“So I didn’t have to do much cooking myself. My partner, Tara, she does most of the cooking in the house, and she’s incredible. I couldn’t touch her talent.”
Still, Alec had no problem leaning into the eating part of the role.
“I already love to eat, and the food there? Peru is constantly in the world’s top five destinations for food. Everything we ate there was out of this world. Even the empanadas we make in one scene — I got to eat those.
“And you know, in acting, eating grounds you. You can’t fake eating. You’re tasting something delicious, and the acting comes naturally. It’s a bit of a crutch. I hear Brad Pitt does it a lot. Every movie you see, he’ll be eating at some point.”
His love of food made playing Carlos all the more enjoyable, and playing opposite Rhiannon Fish brought its own kind of joy. “It’s the age-old opposites attract,” Alec said of their dynamic.
“I’m more like Carlos, so it was easy to jump into that role. Rhiannon’s not that strict in real life, so she was playing something different, but she’s incredible.”
As for their characters? “It was almost like a challenge — Carlos is in love with this woman, but he also wants her to see the world the way he sees it.
“I know she dismisses him in the beginning, kind of finds him annoying, but he wants to find common ground. And I think he understands — there’s nothing wrong with a planner. Maybe he needs a little bit of that in his life, too.”
Hallmark Happiness Isn’t Always Easy
While Alec is no stranger to heavier dramas — he’s appeared in everything from Snowpiercer to Arrow — he admits that playing happy isn’t always easier.
“Ironically, playing a Hallmark character is actually harder than these intense dramas,” he said.
“Mostly because, obviously, you watch these films and everyone looks like they’re having a good time, and it truly is fun. But the pressure of having to look a certain way and convey happiness that’s not fake is actually harder than, say, a drama where everything’s going wrong and you really have to dig deep.”
He added, “We always tune into the sad shows. Sad songs seem to do better than the happy ones. It’s almost like our human nature default is, ‘let me be sad.’
“But with the Hallmark world, I’ve really seen how happy it makes people. It’s a blessing to be on someone’s television, and maybe on the other side, they have a smile that day.”
Those small but meaningful moments of feedback remind Alec why he loves being part of the Hallmark family.
“Every once in a while, I’ll get a DM from someone on Instagram saying how much the movie meant to them. Even though on the surface they seem like simple stories, it really does make it all worthwhile.”
And Now… Christmas in July
Just as A Machu Picchu Proposal hits the airwaves, Alec is also front and center in Unwrapping Christmas: Tina’s Miracle, the first of four movies premiering as part of Hallmark’s Christmas in July lineup.
“I’m in the first movie, and then I have small cameos in the other three,” he explained.
“The gist is these four women own a gift-wrapping shop, and they all have their own stories. Every once in a while, the characters go in and out of each other’s stories. It creates this dynamic — it’s kind of like a mini-series.”
He laughed at the idea of celebrating Christmas when it’s 90 degrees out. “It took me a while. I was like, man, we already have one Christmas — why do we have to put it in July?
“But if you realize that Christmas is a sentiment, and it’s about spending time with people you love, then why not? Let’s have that moment in July. It doesn’t have to be about gifts. It’s about togetherness.”
And this year, that idea feels especially fitting. “July is also my birthday month. My mom lives in San Diego, my sister’s in New York, and they’re both coming to Vancouver to celebrate with me. So it will feel like Christmas.”
Love Is the Universal Language.
Whether it’s a story about spontaneous travel and connection or a holiday tale wrapped in sentiment, Alec Santos brings the same energy to every role — grounded, sincere, and joyful.
“When I started acting, I did mostly plays. You get that immediate feedback — people come up to you afterward and say if they were moved. But now, I’ll have someone from Italy reach out who saw my movie dubbed in German. And they still watched it. It meant something to them.”
He paused, thoughtful. “It speaks to the universal language of love, I suppose.”
And in a Hallmark world that keeps expanding — whether it’s into mountaintop proposals or summer snowflakes — it’s clear Alec Santos is exactly where he’s meant to be.
A Machu Picchu Proposal premieres Saturday, June 28 at 8/7c on Hallmark Channel, and you can catch Unwrapping Christmas: Tina’s Miracle a week later on the same channel, on Saturday, July 5 at 8/7c.
Mark your calendars so you don’t miss a moment of romance!
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