Casa Pueblo is no more

The loss of a beacon of art that is slowly going soulless.

Casa Pueblo, once a beacon of artistic expression and raw creative energy in Punta Ballena, Uruguay, has faded into something unrecognizable from its former self. When Carlos Páez Vilaró was alive, the place pulsed with life. It was more than a museum or a hotel; it was an extension of his soul, a place where art and nature merged seamlessly. The whitewashed walls, uneven and organic, carried the weight of his vision, and every corner of the space felt infused with his spirit. Visitors could feel it—a living, breathing monument to an artist’s passion.

Now, it’s just a shell. The magic is gone, replaced with the air of a cheap tourist trap. The art has been relegated to overpriced souvenirs, and the spirit that once animated the place has long since faded. Natural decay has begun to creep in, but rather than embracing the slow weathering of time with dignity, Casa Pueblo feels neglected, stuck between nostalgia and commercialization. The remaining family members seem more interested in disputes than in preserving the essence of what made the place special, and their mismanagement only accelerates the decline.

To top it off, our visit ended on a sour note—our car, parked in their own designated spaces, was broken into. A shattered window and a headache were all we took away from what was supposed to be an experience of artistic wonder. If you were considering a visit, don’t bother. Casa Pueblo is no longer a place to be inspired; it’s a place to be disappointed. Stay away—you are missing nothing.