Colonia Suiza (Argentina)

Colonia Suiza is a village in Rio Negro. It is picturesquely situated near the Lago Perito Moreno, about 24km from Bariloche or 13km from Llao-llao.

The village was founded in the late 19th century by Camilo and Felix Goye and Maria Felley. They were originally from the canton of Vaud in Switzerland, but had previously lived for 10 years in Chile. They came for a purpose: According to the ley de hogar, the settlers land law, they were offered a plot of land free of charge under the condition that they develop it within 10 years or it would fall back to the state. More immigrants followed: Mermoud, Cretton and Jacquards, as well as Pothoff and Neu.

Today the place - which had originally been barren pampa - is a village with swiss-style chalets, many shady trees and it mainly caters for tourists from nearby Bariloche.

Get in
By bus No 10 from Bariloche

Get around
Everything is within walking distance

See

 * Capilla Nuestro Senora del Rosario built in 1958
 * Museo de los viejos Colonos, situated in one of the pioneer homes of 1937, is only open on one day per month, which one I could not find out.
 * Pioneers houses at the eastern end of town, built in 1937 in a Chilean style (Hostal a lo de Juan).

Do

 * Hike to the Cerro Lopez
 * Hike to Laguna Negra
 * Visit the Cementero de montanes
 * Visit the canopy
 * Visit the trout farm

Sleep
There are several hostels and campsites in town.