The Amazing Race en Discovery Channel 1

The Starting Line was at Iguaçu Falls in Parque Nacional do Iguaçu, Brazil.

Discovery Channel greenlit the first installment in November 2008.

Filming lasted for 23 days and covered nearly 14,600 km (9,100 mi). The first season spanned nine countries in two continents. This season was the first-time any Amazing Race franchise outside of the original American version visited North America. Among the countries visited this season, 7 had been visited by the original American version, including Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Mexico, Panama and Peru. At the time the season aired, Colombia and the Dominican Republic hadn't been visited by the American version, with Colombia later visited in the twenty-eighth season of the original American version in 2016.[4]

The route markers in this season were colored blue and black, including the clue envelopes and the Pit Stop. Also different from other editions is the fact that the opening shows the teams' country of origin.

Only two teams, both of which were Mexican teams (Casilda & Casilda and Guillermo & Gabriel), appeared at the Finish Line in Mexico City.

Applications were accepted from 17 November 2008 to 31 January 2009.

This season counted with eleven teams from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Panama and Venezuela. The cast includes the first team in the history of the franchise composed of a godfather and a godson, a homosexual dating couple, and a team of non-identical twins.

In Gramado, Brazil, teams performed the Flores Detour on Lago Negro.

Airdate: September 20, 2009

• Iguaçu National Park, Paraná, Brazil (Iguaçu Falls Heliport) (Starting Line)
• Iguaçu National Park (Garganta do Diabo Falls (in Portuguese))
• Iguaçu National Park (Espaço Naipi to Mirante 2)
• Iguaçu National Park (Cânion Iguaçu (in Portuguese) to Puerto Macuco)
• Foz do Iguaçu (Foz do Iguaçu International Airport) to Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul (Salgado Filho International Airport)
• Porto Alegre (Hotel Deville)
• Gramado (Portico Taquara (in Portuguese))
• Gramado (Lago Negro or Aldeia Do Papai Noel (in Portuguese))
• Gramado (Mini Mundo (in Portuguese))
• Gramado (Hotel Ritta Höppner (in Portuguese))

This series' first Detour was a choice between Flores (Flowers) and Árbol (Tree). In Flores, teams made their way to Lago Negro, where they had to paddle a swan boat across the lake to pick up a basket of flowers from a villager. Then they had to go back to the dock and give the basket to a female villager to receive their next clue. In Árbol, teams made their way to the Aldeia Do Papai Noel, where they had to search the "Arvore dos Desejos" for a wooden block called a "mimo" with their names written on it that they had to give to an elf to receive their next clue.

Additional tasks

• At Garganta do Diabo Falls, teams were instructed to find bikes at Espaço Naipi and then ride to Mirante 2. From there, teams had to walk to the Canion Iguaçu entrance to find their next clue.
• At Canion Iguaçu, teams had to rappel down to the Iguaçu River shore and then raft 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) down the river to Puerto Macuco to find their next clue.
• At Foz do Iguaçu International Airport, teams had to sign up for one of two flights to Porto Alegre. The first flight would carry six teams and would depart just over ten hours before the second flight with the remaining five teams. Teams would be released in the order and with the time differences when they signed up.
• At Hotel Deville, teams had to wait until noon for the hotel's valet to give them keys to a car with their next clue.
• At Mini Mundo, teams were given a board with five pictures of characters and five pictures of places and had to search the park to correctly match each place where a character was located to receive their next clue.

At the Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales, teams had to build a Tyrannosaurus rex and Ariel & Nora started their Speed Bump.

Airdate: September 27, 2009

• Porto Alegre (Estádio Olímpico Monumental)
• Porto Alegre (Estádio Olímpico Monumental to Estação Rodoviária de Porto Alegre)
• Porto Alegre (Rodoviária Station to Airport Station)
• Porto Alegre (Salgado Filho International Airport) to Buenos Aires, Argentina (Ministro Pistarini International Airport)
• Buenos Aires (Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales)
• San Isidro (Centro de Entrenamiento Jockey Club)
• Buenos Aires (Zoológico de Buenos Aires)
• Buenos Aires (Plaza de las Naciones Unidas (in Spanish) – Floralis Genérica )

In this series' first leg's Roadblock, one team member had to search the stadium for a gym bag with Go Visa-branded goalkeeper clothing inside, don the clothing, and then successfully block a penalty kick to receive their next clue. If they were unsuccessful after 5 minutes, they had to let another racer try to complete the task.

For their Speed Bump, Ariel & Nora had to drive a van and deliver a pack of newspapers to five newsstands before they could continue racing.

This leg's Detour was a choice between Caballos (Horses) and Caballerizas (Stables). In Caballos, teams had to ride horses around the arena and pick up two flags that they could exchange for their next clue. In Caballerizas, teams had to completely clean a stable and take the waste in a wheelbarrow to the fertilizer reservoir to receive their next clue.

Additional tasks

• From Estádio Olímpico Monumental, teams had to travel by bus and metro to the Porto Alegre airport to sign up for a flight to Buenos Aires. Teams would be released in the order and with the time differences when they signed up.
• At Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales, teams had to build a scale-model Tyrannosaurus rex to the satisfaction of a paleontologist to receive their next clue.
• After leaving the Jockey Club, teams had to hire a remise to go to the Buenos Aires Zoo, where they would find a living statue of a gaucho to whom they had to give money to receive their next clue.

The viewpoint of Aconcagua in Mendoza Province was the third Pit Stop of the Race.

Airdate: October 4, 2009

• Buenos Aires (Aeroparque Jorge Newbery) to Mendoza (Francisco Gabrielli International Airport)
• Mendoza (Parque San Martín)
  • Mendoza (Monumento al Ejército de los Andes (in Spanish))
• Agrelo, Luján de Cuyo (Bodega Ruca Malén)
• Villa Potrerillos (Rotonda)
• Puente del Inca Village (Feria de Puente del Inca)
• Aconcagua Provincial Park (Mirador Aconcagua)

In this season's only Fast Forward, one team had to arrange 1,000 toy soldiers to make 25 rows with 40 soldiers in each to win the Fast Forward award.

In this leg's Roadblock, one team member had to search in a vineyard for a box with wine bottles inside. They had to take 18 bottles, label them, and put in their boxes to receive their next clue.

This leg's Detour was a choice between Aire (Air) and Piedra (Stone). In Aire teams had to ride a zipline to receive their next clue. In Piedra teams received a stone with a copy of a rock drawing, then had to search a hill for a stone with the same drawing and show it to the shaman to receive their next clue.

Additional tasks

• In Feria de Puente del Inca, each team member had to write a letter at least 50 words long to their families to receive their next clue from the postman.

Teams spent the majority of this leg in the city of Valparaiso.

Airdate: October 11, 2009

• Santiago, Chile (Baquedano Metro Station – Bibliometro Bookstore (in Spanish))
• Santiago (Baquedano Metro Station to Pajaritos Metro Station)
• Santiago (Pajaritos Bus Station) to Valparaíso (Terminal Rodoviario de Valparaíso (in Spanish))
• Valparaíso (Ascensor Concepción (in Spanish))
• Valparaíso (Paseo Atkinson)
• Valparaíso (Muelle Prat to Muelle Barón (in Spanish))
• Valparaíso (Caleta Portales (in Spanish))
• Valparaíso (Terminal Rodoviario de Valparaíso) to Santiago (Pajaritos Bus Station)
• Santiago (Palacio de la Moneda)

In this leg's Roadblock, one team member had to jump from a platform into the Pacific Ocean. Then, he or she had to swim 30 meters below the platform; once finished, the instructor would give them the next clue.

This leg's Detour was a choice between Mariscos (Seafood) and Carnada (Bait). In Mariscos, teams had to eat an entire plate of Mariscal Frio to receive the next clue. In Carnada, teams had to place bait onto 100 fish hooks to receive their next clue.

Additional tasks

• At Baquedano Metro Station, teams had to find the Bibliometro Bookstore and ask for a copy of the book "Historia de la vida privada en Chile, Volume 2" to receive their next clue.
• Once in Valparaiso, teams had to find the site from the book cover, Paseo Atkinson. Once in that place, they needed to find a girl identical to the one on the book cover in order to receive their next clue.
• At Muelle Prat, teams had to travel by boat to the Muelle Barón to receive their next clue.
• At Caleta Portales, teams had to find an impersonator of Diego Maradona to receive their next clue.

Teams performed the leg's Detour in the Chinatown of Lima.

Airdate: October 18, 2009

• Santiago (Museo Interactivo Mirador (in Spanish))
• Santiago (Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport) to Lima, Peru (Jorge Chávez International Airport)
• Lima (Faro la Marina)
• Lima (Makaja Beach)
• Lima (Chinatown)
• Lima (Catacumbas del Convento de San Francisco de Asís)
• Lima (Parque de La Reserva)

In this leg's Roadblock, one team member had to make a big soap bubble, drive a robot and transport two stones, then read a famous phrase out loud in a gyroscope to receive their next clue.

This leg's Detour was a choice between Dulce (Sweet) and Salado (Salted). In Dulce, teams had to buy a packet of good luck cookies and look for a cookie with a message inside. Then they had to find that message in the sidewalk quarries. When they found it, they had to show it to the Chinese master to receive their next clue. In Salado, teams had to go to a Chinese-Peruvian restaurant called 'Chifa' and cut two ducks, hack 6 pounds of onion and ten heads of garlic, following an exotic recipe. Once finished, the cook gave the next clue.

Additional task

• In Makaja Beach, teams had to go on a board to a float in the sea to receive their next clue.

Machu Picchu was the 6th Pit Stop of the Race.

Airdate: October 25, 2009

• Lima (Jorge Chávez International Airport) to Cusco (Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport)
• Cusco (Hotel Europa) (Overnight Rest)
• Cusco (Plazoleta de San Blas)
• Cusco (Action Valley)
• Písac (Písac Bridge)
• Písac (Písac Market)
• Písac (Písac Archaeological Park)
• Ollantaytambo, Urubamba Province (Puesto de Lanas) (Overnight Rest)
• Ollantaytambo (Ollantaytambo Train Station) to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Railway Station)
• Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu
• Machu Picchu (Recinto Del Guardián)

In this leg's Roadblock, one team member had to perform the highest bungee jump in South America to receive their next clue.

This leg's Detour was a choice between Hojas (Leaves) and Granos (Grains). In Hojas, teams had to search for three coca leaves among many different leaves. Once found, they had to give them to the Master Healer to receive the next clue. In Granos, teams had to transport 100 maize cobs to a large course. Once completed, the Cacique gave the next clue.

Additional tasks

• At Hotel Europa, teams signed up for one of three departure times, all of which were the following morning.
• At Plazoleta de San Blas, teams had to find Ñusta Maria to receive the next clue.
• At Puente Pisac, teams had to take local transportation to the Písac Market, where they had to search for a particular stall for the next clue.
• At Puesto de Lanas, teams had to look for a Huayruro with the word 'Peru', inside balls of wool, and then deliver the seed to the Quispe's house to receive their next clue.

Teams performed the "Visual" option of the leg's Detour in the Virgilio Barco Public Library.

Airdate: November 1, 2009

• Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Train Station) to Ollantaytambo (Ollantaytambo Train Station)
• Cusco (Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport) to Bogotá, Colombia (El Dorado International Airport)
• Útica (Cascada La Papaya)
• Fusagasugá (Coloma Farm)
• Bogotá (Botero Museum)
• Bogotá (Virgilio Barco Public Library or Spa Luisa Plata)
• Bogotá (ETB Phone Booth)
  • Bogotá (Campo de Tejo Los Bucaros)
• Bogotá (Torre Colpatria)

In this leg's Roadblock, one team member had to rappel down a waterfall to receive the next clue.

This leg's Detour was a choice between Visual or Táctil (Tactile). In Visual, teams had 15 seconds to observe a Fernando Botero painting in Virgilio Barco Public Library, then fill in another painting with the correct missing colors to receive the next clue. In Táctil, teams had to receive a chocolate massage to receive the next clue.

For their Speed Bump, Casilda & Casilda had to play tejo until one team member struck a gunpowder-loaded target with a stone before they could continue racing.

Additional tasks

• In Coloma Farm, teams had to fill, sew, then weigh 4 coffee bags with 44 pounds (20 kg) in each one to receive the next clue.
• At a ETB Phone Booth near Santamaría Bullring, teams had call a number to listen to the next clue.

Castillo San Felipe de Barajas was the eight Pit Stop of the Race.

Airdate: November 8, 2009

• Bogotá (Plaza de Las Nieves – Portal Interactivo ETB)
• Bogotá (El Dorado International Airport) to Cartagena (Rafael Núñez International Airport)
• Cartagena (Hotel Sofitel Cartagena Santa Clara (in Spanish))
• Cartagena (Baluarte de Santiago)
• Cartagena (Baluarte Santo Domingo and Baluarte San Pedro Mártir or Los Pegasos Pier – Phantom Pirate Ship)
• Cartagena (Parque de Las Flores)
• Cartagena (Portal de los Dulces)
• Cartagena (Castillo San Felipe de Barajas)

This leg's Detour was a choice between Hacia Adelante (Onward) and Hacia Arriba (Upward). In Hacia Adelante, teams had to go to Baluarte Santo Domingo and pick 12 baskets, then take them to Baluarte San Pedro Mártir and give them to a man who would give them the next clue. In Hacia Arriba, teams had to climb up a ship's mast, take two flags, and give them to the captain in order to receive the next clue.

In this leg's Roadblock, a team member had to eat a bottle of local candies to receive the next clue.

Additional tasks

• In Portal Interactivo ETB, teams had to check in on the website AeroRepública, then go to the airport to receive the next clue from a flight attendant.
• In Hotel Sofitel Cartagena Santa Clara, teams had to unscramble a phrase from the novel Love in the Time of Cholera, written by Gabriel García Márquez. They had to look for the phrase in a copy of the novel. When they thought it was right, they had to say the phrase to the typist, then give the paper with the phrase on it to a judge to analyze; if the phrase was right they would receive their next clue.
• In Parque de Las Flores, teams had to search for the salesman with their next clue.

Herrera Square was where the teams started the leg's Detour.

Airdate: November 15, 2009

• Cartagena (Rafael Núñez International Airport) to Panama City, Panama (Tocumen International Airport)
• Panama City (Figali Convention Center)
• Panama City (Herrera Square)
• Panama City (Miraflores Locks Visitor Center or Sidmar Marine Training School)
• Panama City (Passenger Station of Corozal)
• Panama City (Cargo Terminal of the Pacific)
• Gamboa (Gamboa Rainforest Resort Marina)
• Gamboa (San Antonio Island)
• Gamboa (Gamboa Rainforest Resort)

This leg's Detour was a choice between Pasacables (Cableman) and Timonel (Helmsman). In Pasacables, teams had to go to the Miraflores Locks Visitor Center, then pass a cable above a metal rod high above them. After passing three cables above the rod (with 6 shots per turn), a cableman would give them the next clue. In Timonel, teams had to go to Sidmar (Marine Training School) and sail a boat in a simulator of the Panama Canal without crashing into any other boat. If they sailed safely for 15 minutes, the captain would give them their next clue.

In this leg's Roadblock, at the Cargo Terminal of the Pacific, a team member had to look among 60 freight wagons for the only lamp which could be turned on; once it was found, they received the next clue.

Additional tasks

• In Figali Convention Center, teams received a picture and had to look for that picture painted on a Diablos Rojos to receive the next clue; then they had to travel by Diablos Rojos to the next destination.
• In the Gamboa Rainforest Resort Marina, teams had to find the next clue among the boats. Then they had to take a boat to San Antonio Island.
• On San Antonio Island, each team member had to put a traditional Embera tattoo on the other. When finished, they had to row in a native canoe until they reached a trail that took them to the Pit Stop.

Teams visited the Primada de América cathedral in this leg of the Race.

Airdate: November 22, 2009

• Panama City (Tocumen International Airport) to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic (Las Americas International Airport)
• Santo Domingo (Catedral Primada de América)
• Santo Domingo (Estadio Quisqueya)
• Santo Domingo (Caoba Cigar Factory) (Overnight Rest)
• San Pedro de Macorís (Mauricio Báez Bridge)
• Hato Mayor del Rey (Rancho Capote)
• Santo Domingo (Alcázar de Colón)

In this leg's Roadblock, one team member had to hit a professional pitcher's throw to receive the next clue.

This leg's Detour was a choice between Ofrenda (Offering) and Astucia (Cunning). In Ofrenda, teams had to search for a small statuette inside a cave, take it to a big statuette in another place in the cave, and place it as an offering to receive their next clue. In Astucia, teams had to form a square from pieces of a tangram to receive their next clue.

Additional task

• At the Caoba Cigar Factory, teams had to roll 10 cigars with instructions from a professional to receive their next clue.

Manuel Antonio National Park was visited on this leg.

Airdate: November 29, 2009

• Santo Domingo (Las Americas International Airport) to Quepos, Costa Rica (Quepos Managua Airport)
• Quepos (Manuel Antonio National Park – Gemelas Beach)
• Quepos (Manuel Antonio National Park – Punta Catedral Footpath) (Overnight Rest)
• Quepos (Manuel Antonio National Park – Espadilla Norte Beach)
  • Quepos (Manuel Antonio Hotel)
• Quepos to San José
• San José (Planetarium at the University of Costa Rica (in Spanish))
• Irazú Volcano National Park (Irazú Volcano)

In this leg's Roadblock, a team member had to choose a site, dig to get a chest with keys inside, then search for another chest and try to open it with one of the keys they found. The clue was inside one of the chests, but there were many empty chests buried.

This leg's Detour was a choice between Palas (Shovels) and Remos (Paddles). In Palas, teams had to create the picture of a seahorse in the sand, following an example exactly. When they had completed this correctly, the sculptor would give them their next clue. In Remos, teams had to row a kayak to a boat in the sea, where a sailor would give them their next clue.

For their Speed Bump, Matías & Tamara had to set up six hotel rooms by making the beds and folding a pair of towel swans in each room before they could continue racing.

Additional tasks

• At Espadilla Norte Beach, teams had to solve a mathematical challenge in which they had to discover the heaviest coconut among 8 coconuts using a scale to receive their next clue.
• In the Planetarium at University of Costa Rica, teams had to order the planets of the solar system by their distance from the Sun, from nearest to farthest including Ceres, Pluto and Eris, to receive their next clue.

In Xcaret Eco Park, teams performed the 1st-part of the 2 Detours in the entire leg.

Airdate: December 6, 2009

• San José (Juan Santamaría International Airport) to Cancún, Quintana Roo, Mexico (Cancún International Airport)
• Cancún (AquaFun Marina)
• Cancún (Nizuc Bridge)
• Playa del Carmen (Blue Parrot Restaurant)
• Playa Del Carmen (Xcaret Eco Park) (Overnight Rest)
• Pacchen (Cenote del Jaguar)
• Playa Del Carmen (Hotel Fairmont Mayakoba)

In this leg's first Roadblock, one team member had to eat 3 Mexican tacos with grasshoppers, Maguey Worm and several species of cricket to receive their next clue from the waiter.

This leg's first Detour was a choice between Altura (Height) and Profundidad (Deepness). In Altura, teams had 3 minutes to climb a greasy pole with each team member having to grab a flag from the top of the pole to receive their next clue. In Profundidad, teams had 3 minutes to dive into a shark tank, where each team member had to find a marked stone on the bottom of the tank to receive their next clue.

Additional task

• In Cenote del Jaguar, teams had to participate in a Mayan ritual, then enter the cenote and search for the next clue in the wall.

Altar to the Nation in Chapultepec Park was the Finish Line for the first season of The Amazing Race en Discovery Channel.

Airdate: December 13, 2009

• Cancún (Cancun International Airport) to Mexico City (Mexico City International Airport)
• Mexico City (Angel of Independence) (Overnight Rest)
• Mexico City (Paseo de la Reforma – Go Visa Ad)
• Mexico City (Arena México)
• Xochimilco (Embarcadero Nuevo Nativitas)
• Mexico City (Estadio Olímpico Universitario)
• Mexico City (Chapultepec Park – Altar to the Nation)

In this season's final Roadblock, one team member had to take a flag from one wrestler's boot in three minutes, while three wrestlers were fighting with him/her. Once they've got in wrestling moves, they would receive their next clue.

This season's final Detour was a choice between Mariachis or Trajineras. In Mariachis, teams had to find an image of Santa Muerte under a hat worn by one of the mariachis playing. Once they matched with a right hat, the lead band player would hand them their next clue. In Trajineras, teams had to find a trajinera (typical boats of Xochimilco) called "Zita" and find the clue inside the boat.

Additional tasks

• At the Angel of Independence, teams had to drive a Segway to a Go Visa advertisement with only a picture as reference.
• At Estadio Olímpico's court, teams had to match the Pit Stops with the greeters in order of appearance to receive their final clue.