The majestic cove of Nicaragua's San Juan Del Sur will be this season's paradise setting for Survivor's 29^th 2014 season, where 18 hopefuls will outwit and outplay each other in hopes of winning the coveted $1 million dollar prize.

The upcoming season initially planned to announce 20 contestants, but two dropped out prior to the official announcement due to medical reasons.

Survivor host Jeff Probst mentioned this production decision to Entertainment Weekly in an interview, saying that the number of castaways had to be adjusted because of this serious matter:

"We spend months casting our show — months... And you finally get your 20 people, and then though no fault of their own — just a medical situation — they can't play.... So instead of 20, it puts us at 18. Instead of equal men and women, it puts us uneven men and women," Probst said in the interview.

Survivor's 2014 season will feature contestants who are either related, married, or in a relationship. The show's official description, as released by CBS, explains the main mechanics of the Nicaragua season.

"Each week two loved ones square off against one another in a battle that will send the loser to isolation on Exile Island while the winner receives a reward for his/her Tribe. However, the winner will also have to choose a tribemate to accompany their loved one to Exile Island."

Get to know Survivor Nicaragua's 18 castaways on CBS official Survivor page here.