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The historic village of Colonia Suiza near Bariloche, Argentina has long been a tourist destination. Located in the Río Negro Province along the famous Bariloche Circuito Chico sightseeing route, the small cluster of dwellings and restaurants are fairly easy to reach by car or bus.
Colonia Suiza Bariloche exudes a hippie vibe and the settlement is best known for their art crafts fair, Feria Colonia Suiza. However, many visitors venture to Colonia Suiza for their signature food, El Curanto. We are highlighting the top things to do so that you can discover the best of this Swiss village in the mountains of Argentina!
Colonia Suiza History
Colonia Suiza – or Swiss Colony – was settled in 1895 by the Goye family. They were originally from western Switzerland, but had been living for 10 years in Chile. In the late 1800s, when the Argentinian government began offering free land to settlers who promised to develop it, the Swiss family made the move to the area.
The pioneers built typical Swiss-style chalets near the western shore of Lago Perito Moreno at the base of Cerro Lopez. Along with their unique architectural style, they brought their traditions…and chocolates. Soon after the Goye family had settled, a few Germans followed suit and built homes on nearby parcels of land. They brought their beer.
Many of the same families have occupied the land for generations. The settlement of Colonia Suiza today features a blend of traditional Swiss and German customs and cuisines.
Best Colonia Suiza Things To Do
The historic Swiss Colony settlement is small and quaint – and there are more than a handful of fun things to do for those who make their way to the village!
Save, Pin or Bookmark our Colonia Suiza Travel Guide for your trip to Argentina!
#1 Shop at the Colonia Suiza Feria Artesanal
The Colonia Suiza Brailoche Feria Artesanal is the village’s old-fashioned craft fair where they sell homemade wares to visitors. The opening hours of the fair at Colonia Suiza is from 10am until 4pm on Wednesdays and Sundays.
Jams are popular items at the Colonia Suiza art market, which are made from berries that grow in the area. Other interesting items for sale are homemade wines, local honey, handcrafted jewelry and intricate wood carvings.
We have heard that recently, some of the goods sold at the fair are no longer handicrafts made by locals, but mass-produced tourist trinkets. Verify as best you can with the seller if you are seeking a one-of-a-kind product.
The Christmas Fair at Colonia Suiza is said to be spectacular. Reminiscent to a European Holiday Festival, the winter fair takes place throughout December and features Christmas-themed handicrafts.
Food at Feria Artesanal
In addition to the goods for sale, the Feria Artesanal also boasts an open-air food court. The top booths sell local cuisine made from traditional recipes. Some of the best food at the fair is parrilla grilled meats, delicious empanadas, goulash-type stew and South American-inspired tacos.
German fare is also on offer. During our visit, the woman preparing the food introduced herself as a granddaughter of an original German settler. Yet another local vendor was selling an assortment of homemade baked goods.
There is no doubt that the cuisine offered by the village vendors is delicious. We sampled the savory empanadas and several delicious baked goods. However, most visitors come to eat the famous Colonia Suiza Curanto.
#2 Eat El Curanto in Colonia Suiza
Eating Curanto is a special event in Colonia Suiza…but what is El Curanto? Rather than a specific food, Curanto refers to a particular method of cooking. El Curanto is a traditional feast that is prepared by cooking meat and vegetables underground. It was developed on Chiloé Island off the coast of Chile in the Los Lagos Region.
Emilio Goye, one of the original settlers, began the tradition of cooking curanto in Bariloche in the 1930s. The extravagant meal was often made for celebrations – and the preparation has now become a ceremony itself.
How They Prepare the Curanto
As the food is baked underground, the first step in cooking El Curanto is digging the hole at a depth of about 6 inches. Hot stones, which have been heated in an oven or by fire, are laid on the floor and covered with leaves. It’s the burning leaves which give the food a distinct smoky, earthy flavor.
The raw food is then placed on top of the rocks and leaves and is covered in another layer of leaves, a tarp and dirt. When smoke starts coming up from the ground, the feast is ready.
Traditionally, there are five meats and five vegetables that are cooked in El Curanto. The meats usually include beef, lamb, pork, chicken and sausage. Typical vegetables used in curanto are potatoes, onions, carrots, butternut squash and apples.
Colonia Suiza Feria Curanto
The Colonia Suiza Bariloche curanto is only cooked during fair days (Wednesdays and Sundays). The ceremonious meal is quite the production and a fascinating spectacle. Visitors can witness the unique cooking method – from the heating the stones to covering the food with dirt to the official unveiling of the meal.
We witnessed the entire event (which begins around noon) and applauded along with the crowd when the cooked food was revealed, ready to be served. The one caveat is that the Colonia Suiza curanto price an be a bit expensive. However, it is free to stand by and view the spectacle!
#3 Drink Colonia Suiza Craft Beer
In addition to local food, there is craft beer at Colonia Suiza, too. Valais Beer is made in small batches and served only at the fair. The beer is interesting; the red beer was sort of half cider, half amber…but definitely delicious.
Just a short walk from the main fair street is Berlina Brewery, another Patagonian Cerveza Artesanal. The on-site taproom is open every day in the spring and summer for patrons to pop in and try their beers while visiting Colonia Suiza. For more tips on where to drink cerveza artesanal, check out our Bariloche Craft Beer article!
#4 Go to the Colonia Suiza Beach
The village sits just steps from Lago Perito Moreno. From the shoreline Colonia Suiza Beach, visitors can gaze across the water to take in the sublime mountain views. Bring a blanket if you want to stretch out on the beach and catch a few rays. Active travelers can rent a kayak for a paddle around the lake or set off on a shoreline stroll.
#5 Savor a Sweet Treat at Casa Abuela Goye
One of the most popular shops in Colonia Suiza is the Casa Abuela Goye Chocolate Shop and Cafe. The serene space is inviting – and the perfect spot for a coffee and a chocolate treat. For more than 40 years, the Patagonia chocolate shop has been making delectable confections. The range of gourmet pastries – from truffles to Argentine alfajores cookies – are beautifully displayed.
Colonia Suiza Travel Tips
We are sharing a few travel details and helpful tips for planning a trip to Colonia Suiza, Bariloche, Argentina.
How To Get to Colonia Suiza
Although it may seem like traveling back in time, Colonia Suiza is only 15 miles from San Carlos de Bariloche.
Bus from Bariloche to Colonia Suiza
Travelers without a car can take a local bus #10 – which is how we arrived to the village. The bus ride takes about an hour to get to Colonia Suiza from Bariloche. However, they are infrequent, so make sure to check the return schedule before setting off on your adventure!
Rather than waiting on a Colonia Suiza bus for our return trip, we took a 3 mile walk along a scenic route to catch a different bus back into Bariloche. The dirt road took us to an outstanding view from the bridge that splits Lago Perito Moreno into East and West.
Top Travel Tip: Visit the Bariloche Tourist Information Office for current bus schedules, maps and advice. We received phenomenal help in planning our day trips via Bariloche bus routes!
When To Visit Colonia Suiza
Visitors are welcome to go to Colonia Suiza on any day of the week. The village is always open to tourists who want to see the chalet-style houses and grab a bite to eat. That said, most guests plan their visit to coincide with the Feria Artesanal and the curanto feast, which only happens on Wednesdays and Sundays. The hours of operation for the fair and feast are 10am to 4pm.
Where To Stay in Colonia Suiza
Visitors who want to stay in Colonia Suiza have limited choice of accommodation. There is a guesthouse and a few camping sites.
Hospedaje Gaucholihue Guesthouse
A quiet and cozy B&B, the rooms at Hospedaje Gaucholihue are small but comfortable. The lodging itself is beautiful – and a stream runs through the back of the property.
Camping
There are several camping sites for travelers who want to stay in Colonia Suiza, Argentina. Camping Goye, Camping Ser and Camping Huenei Ruca are three popular campgrounds in the village.
Bariloche and Argentina Travel Tips
- Top Things To Do in Bariloche
- Hiking to Cerro Campanario
- Best Hike in Llao Llao
- Fun Bariloche Beer Bars
- One Day in Buenos Aires
- Buenos Aires Walking Tour
Start planning your trip to Argentina! Search for the lowest airfares, the best accommodations and fun things to do…then start packing! Want more travel advice? Head over to our Travel Planning Page for tips on traveling – and for country-specific information, take a look at our Travel Guides Page!
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