Hosted by Phil Keoghan, it featured eleven teams of two, each with a pre-existing relationship, competing in a race around the world in order to win US$1,000,000.
Starting in Los Angeles, racers traveled through Brazil, Bolivia, New Zealand, Cambodia, India, Kazakhstan, and Russia before returning to the United States and finishing in Portland, Oregon.
[9] This had been hinted at in promotional materials aired before the season began, where CBS revealed that one team made "an unprecedented mistake that ultimately prohibit[ed] them from joining their fellow Racers at the Finish Line.
[11] CBS heavily promoted the new season, including placing advertising on the top of three hangar buildings at Los Angeles International Airport prior to the premiere.
[13] The cast this season featured a team of fraternity brothers, married hippies, southern belles, businesswomen divorcées, and a retired NFL player hoping to reconnect with his estranged wife.
[15] Starr Spangler and Dallas Imbimbo, who had competed on opposing teams, revealed in interviews that they had been dating long-distance for six months since the show completed taping.
CBS posted short videos on its website after each episode aired in the Pacific Time Zone to show the eliminated teams interacting at the villa.
[20] Arthur Perkins of Reality Wanted praised this season's cast and wrote that "AR13 will rank high on my list of topnotch Amazing Races.