It’s Easy to Make Health a Hobby in Montevideo

It’s Easy to Make Health a Hobby in Montevideo
Healthy living feels natural in a city built for walking and wellbeing.|©iStock/Rudimencial

It's a sunny morning in Montevideo, and I’m strolling along the water’s edge, watching the ships as joggers, cyclists, and rollerbladers pass by.

The outdoor fitness culture is one of the city’s main draws. It has miles of designated bike lanes, tennis clubs, and the phenomenal rambla—a 13-mile coastal walkway perfect for jogging or just taking in the breeze coming off the Río de la Plata. Since my apartment is just a couple of blocks away, I often head out for a scenic walk along the waterfront, where the city’s energy and natural beauty make exercise feel effortless.

Sometimes I walk alone, enjoying the quiet of the morning or listening to a podcast. Other times I go with an expat friend who lives close by. We’ll start chatting, and before you know it, we’ve walked our 10,000 steps.

Ten years ago, I wouldn’t have imagined myself feeling this great and so easily embracing an active lifestyle. But after a health scare in 2018, I made a conscious effort to change up my routine. And Uruguay’s capital city has a way of helping you lean into better choices…

A City Built for Staying Active

A typical morning in Ciudad Vieja—groceries on foot, fresh air, and conversation.
A typical morning in Ciudad Vieja—groceries on foot, fresh air, and conversation.|©iStock/Rudimencial

Montevideo is dotted with health clubs of all sizes—some massive, some smaller and specialized. I found my comfort zone at Templo del Músculo, a down-to-earth gym where people of all ages and fitness levels feel welcome. At $37 per month with no annual contract, it’s both affordable and flexible.

Eating well is just as easy as finding places to exercise. Uruguay dedicates 80% of its land to agriculture, producing high-quality meats, grains, and fresh fruits and vegetables. That translates to an abundance of whole, nutritious foods readily available in the city.

I live in Ciudad Vieja—a walkable, historically-rich peninsula with cobbled pedestrian streets, colonial plazas, and a strong sense of community. My neighborhood in Montevideo’s "Old City" has everything I need just a few blocks from my apartment. I do all my food shopping on foot, picking up meat from a local butcher and produce from my greengrocer or the twice-weekly feria (street market), where I also get fresh fish and artisan cheeses.

When I need bulk grains, seeds, and legumes, I visit La Molienda, a health food store with multiple locations.

Shopping this way isn’t just convenient, it connects me to my community and makes healthy eating feel natural.

A Healthcare System That Works

Uruguay’s population is 3.4 million, and half of the country lives in or near Montevideo. As you’d expect, the capital has the country’s most advanced medical facilities, with the widest range of specialists.

Among them, Asociación Española stands out—it’s the hospital most popular with expats and known for investing heavily in cutting-edge technology. Its neurosurgery unit is the only one in South America equipped with a top-caliber robotic microscope, and the cardiology department is one of the region’s most advanced. But what truly stands out is how they prioritize prevention, affordability, and simplicity.

My healthcare plan includes an annual physical exam with a full panel of screenings. In 2018, these routine tests turned up a potential problem. At 220 pounds with a blood sugar issue, my doctor gave me "the talk." I had an advanced case of NAFLD (Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease).

Early detection allowed me to make major lifestyle changes before it became serious. Now I weigh 176 pounds, I’m medication-free, and my liver is completely healed. I have more energy these days. And many of the aches and pains I thought were "just part of getting older" are completely gone.

Health Became My Hobby

Before my health scare, I had a habit of eating and drinking whatever was convenient and tasty, without giving much thought to nutrition. And I’d go months at a time without exercise. As I got older, this caught up with me. With Uruguay’s high-quality and preventive care, a more relaxed lifestyle, and time to exercise and prepare wholesome meals, my health made a remarkable improvement.

In Montevideo, a better, more active lifestyle doesn’t feel like a struggle—it just happens naturally. Walking to do my shopping, enjoying fresh food, spending time outdoors, and benefiting from a system that actually prioritizes wellbeing have all added up to something unexpected: I genuinely enjoy taking care of my health.

Outdoor life thrives here—biking, tennis, and walking with a sea view.
Outdoor life thrives here—biking, tennis, and walking with a sea view.|©iStock/Rudimencial

A Healthcare Plan For Peace Of Mind

Healthcare in Uruguay is far less complicated and expensive than in the US. For example, there are no deductibles, exclusions, or lifetime caps. Most people in Uruguay, including most expats, pay around $85 per month for a comprehensive, membership-based healthcare plan called a mutualista.

I pay more, about $400 per month, for a premium membership at the British Hospital, one of Uruguay’s top private healthcare providers. Only around 2% of Uruguay’s population opts for premium healthcare like this, and it’s not open to new members over 60 or those with serious health conditions. (I joined in my 40s and have stayed because the care has been excellent—even lifesaving. I consider the cost worth it for the peace of mind.)

My healthcare plan covers nearly everything, except for optometry and non-emergency dental work. When knee pain threatened my ability to exercise, I received physical therapy three times a week for months, at no extra cost beyond my small copay.

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