The new season of Survivor is located in the jungle of Guatemala by the famous Mayan ruins. The tribemated are split up into two tribes as usual. A twist this season is that two former Survivors, Stephenie LaGrossa and Bobby Jon Drinkard from Palau, are joing the game again. Bobby Jon is joins the Nakum tribe, and Stephenie joins the Yaxha tribe. The Nakum tribe consists of Bobby Jon, Brandon, Danni, Margaret, Cindy, Jim, Judd, Brooke, and Blanke. The Yaxha tribe consists of Gary, Rafe, Morgan, Lydia, Jamie, Amy, Brianna, and Brian. They start an 11 mile trek to the better campsite. Nakum wins by just a few seconds, however mosst of Nakum becomes sick leaving Yaxha better off. The sickness handicaps Nakum during the immunity challenge, and Yaxha wins sending Nakum to Tribal Council. Jim is voted out 8-1 at Tribal Council where Jim votes for Margaret.

As some of the Nakum men continue to struggle. When Blake’s breathing becomes erratic, the tribe voices their concern. Meantime, desperate for protein, Yaxha serves up ants for dinner, which does not sit well with Stephenie. Lacking any sympathy for ailing tribe members, one Nakum castaway complains about the weak ones being lazy and getting pampered. The heat and rigors of the Guatemalan jungle have deteriorated many of the castaways who must muster the strength for a reward and an immunity challenge. Leading into Tribal Council, one castaway fights back when their work ethic is questioned. And, the second member is voted out of the tribe.

Avoiding the warnings, some castaways bathe in the crocodile-infested waters. The smoldering heat forces some castaways to cool off in the water, risking an encounter with crocodiles. Meanwhile, one tribe mate irritates the others when they try to take matters into their own hands after watching their tribe attempt to rebuild the shelter. Enduring sleepless nights, one castaway is driven crazy by an inconsiderate howler monkey. Finally, a termite-infested log becomes a delicacy for some castaways who are desperate for a change in their diet. And, the third member is voted out of the tribe.

The tribes are switched around. Nakum and Yaxha come together for a forum that reveals the state of their tribes. In an unexpected twist, the two tribes are switched around. One castaway gets a big scare when something nibbles on his toes while he is dangling them in the crocodile-infested waters. A very close Immunity Challenge leads into a tense Tribal Council that has the potential to end with a tie or a major betrayal. And, the fourth member is voted out of the tribe.

The winners of the Reward Challenge receive a crocodile-proof pool. When host Jeff Probst tells the castaways that the winning team will have a crocodile-proof swimming pool delivered to their camp (along with chips, dip and margaritas), such an incentive inspires one castaway to blaze through the competition. The pounding rain takes its toll on the tribes and causes one castaway to voice their frustration and demand that people Step Up! One self-absorbed castaway annoys tribe members with endless stories of a glamorous life.

The castaways are informed that both tribes will vote a member out. Although the tribes compete for a food reward, both are informed they will be attending Tribal Council and voting a member out. After winning an arduous Reward Challenge, one tribe member ruins it for the rest by becoming intoxicated and obnoxious. A grueling physical challenge leads to a screaming match between two castaways. In a Tribal Council first, one castaway bullies and insults a fellow tribe member despite the attempts of others to keep the peace. And, two castaways are voted out of their respective tribes.

One tribe decides to visit the other tribe’s camp. An unexpected visit from the opposing tribe makes some of the other castaways uncomfortable about being friendly with the enemy. Fear threatens to ruin one castaway’s ability to enjoy a reward. A heart to heart ends with one castaway telling another, You can lie...but, I will track you down. I will find you! After a difficult Tribal Council, the castaways are bombarded with another big surprise! And, the eighth member is voted out of the tribe.

There’s a hidden Immunity Idol at camp which, if found, could protect a castaway from being voted out. The castaways learn that there is a special Immunity Idol hidden in the Guatemalan Jungle...and the hunting begins. Given the choice to feast or compete in the Immunity Challenge, several castaways choose to enjoy an abundance of food in front of the others who are competing in a grueling endurance challenge. Is this a smart move or will their hunger be their demise? And, the ninth member is voted out of the tribe.

After winning a clue at the Reward Challenge, one castaway deceives the others by giving them inaccurate information as to where the hidden Immunity Idol rests. Several castaways become angry after one tribe member over-indulges during a reward feast. One castaway secretly follows a fellow tribe mate on a hunt for the hidden Immunity Idol and soon finds out...they are not to be trusted! And, the tenth member is voted out of the tribe.

One castawaya 's inability to perform at the Reward Challenge blows it for the entire team. Its a down and dirty struggle in the mud for an amazing overnight reward and a team is let down by the failure of one of their teammates. Jamie’s incessant paranoia is driving Raif to the breaking point. Some feel vulnerable and some feel sure of who should go, leading to an unpredictable Tribal Council. Will the strong survive or will the weak slide by? And, the eleventh member is voted out of the tribe.

Having not been consulted about the last Tribal Council vote, Judd becomes increasingly paranoid that his alliance may be in jeopardy. As Gary attempts to create an alliance with Lydia, he is overheard by Judd, who is pretending to be asleep in the shelter. A castaway is livid after a tribe mate targets them to be one of the first eliminated at the Reward Challenge, which leads to an eruption back at camp. Paranoia fills the air at camp causing one castaway to declare, Everyone is lying, even the people you’d least expect! Tribal Council is full of surprises when one tribe member takes advantage of the group’s unstable alliance to call out a fellow tribe mate. Will this influence the vote? And, the twelfth member is voted out of the tribe.

Danni attempts to break the alliance. In a risky move of strategy, Danni plants doubt in another castaway’s mind in an attempt to break up the core alliance. Will this line of attack turn the game in her favor? One Survivor receives a sealed envelope containing a clue that could give them an advantage at the next Immunity Challenge. A bidding war breaks out at a Reward Challenge auction when the Survivors’ family members and loved ones show up unannounced! And, the thirteenth member is voted out of the tribe.

One castaway who wins a car must decide if they believe in the car curse. After a big win, one castaway is presented with a big decisiona will they choose to try and break the car curse (no castaway who has ever won a car during the competition has become the Ultimate Survivor) or risk it all to drive away with a new car? Will this decision effect who goes home next? The castaways battle it out in a very close race for Immunity and a guaranteed spot in the Final Four. And, the fourteenth member is voted out of the tribe.

Two immunity challenges whittle the final four castaways down to the last two players before the jury votes for the $1-million winner.

The 18 castaways are reunited in Los Angeles and discuss their time in Guatemala.