Nearly 25 years after she first shouted “¡Vámonos!” on Nickelodeon, Dora the Explorer is stepping into an all-new role—as a fearless, funny, and refreshingly vulnerable live-action Latina heroine.
In Dora and the Search for Sol Dorado, now streaming on Nickelodeon and Paramount+, the purple-backpack-wearing adventurer has grown up. At 16, Dora (played by Samantha Lorraine) is trekking through the Amazon alongside her cousin Diego (Jacob Rodriguez), Diego’s no-nonsense coworker Naiya (Mariana Garzón Toro), and Naiya’s high-energy little brother Sonny (Acston Luca Porto). Their mission? To uncover the lost treasure of Sol Dorado before it lands in the wrong hands.
But this isn’t just another jungle expedition. Directed by Alberto Belli and written by JT Billings, Sol Dorado is the most personal and emotionally resonant Dora story yet—one that centers identity, Latinx culture, emotional growth, and empowerment without sacrificing the fast-paced fun we all grew up loving.
Celeb Secrets caught up with the cast at the movie’s press junket to hear how they brought Dora’s next era to life—and why this isn’t just a reboot, but a true celebration of growth, family, and heritage.
When Samantha Lorraine first read the script, one particular moment hit her like a lightning bolt: Dora, having lost her tools, friends, and direction, realizes she doesn’t need the map at all—because she’s had the power within her all along.
“They’ve been kidnapped, she’s fallen off a cliff, the backpack is gone, the map is gone… she literally has nothing,” Samantha told Celeb Secrets. “And then she realizes: I am the map. That gave me goosebumps when I read it. That was the moment I knew—this is Dora’s turning point”
In that climactic scene, Dora doesn’t just find the treasure—she finds herself. And according to Samantha, that’s what makes this version of Dora feel so real.
“It’s such a powerful message,” she said. “No matter what age you are, you can do anything you set your mind to. You already have everything you need inside you.”
One of the most beautiful parts of Sol Dorado is how seamlessly it weaves Latinx identity into its storytelling—from the language and setting to the food, family dynamics, and emotional expression.
“I’m Cuban, and my family never stops talking with their hands,” Samantha laughed. “It was so cool to get to bring that into my performance. I felt like Dora could be from my neighborhood in Miami.”
Jacob Rodriguez, who plays Dora’s cousin and jungle partner Diego, echoed the pride he felt bringing this cultural perspective to a major family film.
“This is what we needed—a Dora who reflects who we are today,” Jacob said. “Someone who’s strong, emotional, connected to family, but also learning to grow into herself.”
For Mariana Garzón Toro, filming in her home country of Colombia made the experience especially meaningful.
“I’ve traveled so much, but there were parts of Colombia I’d never seen until this movie,” she shared. “It made me feel even more proud to be part of this—to represent my culture, my country, and my people in such a fun, honest way.”
While the film’s plot revolves around ancient puzzles and jungle chases, its emotional heartbeat is family—particularly the way it explores how loved ones support (and sometimes unknowingly limit) each other.
“In a lot of Latin households, there’s this pressure to be perfect or to follow a specific path,” Mariana explained. “But Dora and the Search for Sol Dorado reminds us that love means accepting people for who they are—even if their dreams look different than yours.”
That theme plays out through Naiya and Sonny, the passionate sibling duo who bring heart and hilarity to the screen. Sonny, played by real-life adventurer Acston Luca Porto, is the glue of the group—even after getting stung by a scorpion. Twice.
“It happened during a scene and I still said, ‘See you guys at work tomorrow!’” Acston laughed. “I’m just like Sonny—full of energy and always looking for the next clue.”
Of course, what’s a Dora adventure without a few laugh-out-loud moments? The cast bonded instantly—and their off-camera stories are almost as wild as what made it into the film.
“Jacob literally climbed a tree like Edward from Twilight on our last day,” Samantha said. “We drove by and were like, ‘What are you doing?!’”
Even serious moments had the crew cracking up—like one reaction shot that took 40 takes to nail because Jacob kept breaking character.
“Everyone kept yelling ‘Fix your face, Jacob!’ It became a whole thing,” he admitted.
Dora and the Search for Sol Dorado isn’t just a family-friendly action film—it’s a love letter to growth, identity, and the idea that you are enough. With bold performances, real representation, and a whole lot of heart, this movie does what few reboots can: it honors the past while paving the way forward.
“This is more than a movie,” Mariana said. “It’s about accepting each other, believing in yourself, and letting go of expectations—especially the ones we place on ourselves in our families.”
Whether you’re tuning in for nostalgia, family movie night, or just to see Dora crush it in a whole new way, there’s one thing we know for sure: this is her era.
Dora and the Search for Sol Dorado is now streaming on Nickelodeon and Paramount+ here. Let the fiesta begin—and don’t forget: you are the map.
For more on Dora and the Search for Sol Dorado, watch our full interview with the cast below.
