Colonia Suiza
The turnoff drops into Nueva Helvecia — still called Colonia Suiza — before 11:00 am. Founded in 1862 by Swiss immigrants, joined later by other Europeans, the town built Uruguay's first tourist hotel, the Granja Hotel Suizo (1872), and founded the dairy traditions that made Colonia department the country's most productive.
The real draw is Queso Colonia, invented here by settlers replicating Emmental and Gruyère. The first dairy opened in 1869; by 1891 there were 100. Artisan factories along Ruta 1 still welcome visitors, and a wheel travels easily.