Casa de los Venados

If the colors of Mexican art catch your eye, head to Casa de los Venados, the “House of the Deer,” just a few meters from here. The red façade you see actually belongs to a private residence that is still lived in today. In 1990, John and Dorianne Venator discovered the house when it was abandoned and in poor condition. Captivated by its potential, they spent nearly ten years restoring it and bringing it back to life. Today, the property covers about 1,700 square meters organized around a central open-air patio, with large suites, an elegant dining room, and a spacious rear courtyard with a swimming pool inspired by the traditional haciendas of Yucatán. What truly makes this house unique, however, is its collection: more than 3,000 pieces of Mexican folk art displayed throughout every room. Ceramics from Oaxaca, colorful alebrijes, silver pieces from Guerrero, pottery from Puebla, embroidered textiles from Chiapas and Yucatán, and wooden sculptures from across the country… every space becomes a journey through Mexico’s 32 states. Most of the works were acquired directly from the artisans themselves, with whom the owners built personal relationships over the decades. The guided tour, offered in Spanish or English, lasts about 45 minutes to an hour and takes visitors through rooms that are still lived in, creating a very different atmosphere from that of a traditional museum. Some suites are named after Diego Rivera or Frida Kahlo, a nod to the country’s artistic history. Casa de los Venados is also deeply connected to the local community: the suggested donation at the entrance is given to charities in Valladolid, particularly to help fund surgeries or hearing aids for underprivileged children. Concerts and cultural events are also organized here. The owners have even arranged for the house, the collection, and a financial endowment to be donated to a foundation in order to guarantee public access in the future. Visiting Casa de los Venados therefore means stepping into a living home that tells, room by room, the story of Mexico’s creativity and diversity, while also directly supporting the local community.