Few things can interrupt a Bali holiday faster than suddenly needing to find the nearest bathroom. Bali belly is the common term used for travellers’ diarrhoea or gastrointestinal illness experienced while visiting Bali. It can involve diarrhoea, stomach cramps, nausea and vomiting, and may be linked to consuming food or water contaminated with bacteria, viruses or parasites.
For most otherwise healthy travellers, travellers’ diarrhoea is unpleasant but usually temporary. The CDC describes it as the most common travel-related illness, with destinations across Asia carrying a higher risk.
The good news is that a few practical habits can reduce your risk and help you respond appropriately if symptoms appear during your trip.
What Is Bali Belly?
“Bali belly” is not a specific medical diagnosis. It is a popular travel term for gastrointestinal illness that can occur after exposure to unfamiliar or contaminated food and water.
Several organisms can cause travellers’ diarrhoea, including bacteria, viruses and parasites. Contaminated food, drinking water and poor hand hygiene are common routes of exposure.
Symptoms can vary from mild to more severe. Common symptoms include:
- Loose or watery stools
- Stomach cramps
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Bloating
- Loss of appetite
- Fatigue
- Fever in some cases
For many travellers, symptoms improve within a few days. However, persistent or severe symptoms require medical attention.
How Do You Get Bali Belly?
Bali belly can happen when harmful microorganisms enter your digestive system through contaminated food, water or unwashed hands.
Food safety is influenced by how ingredients are stored, prepared and served. A meal that has been sitting at an unsafe temperature or prepared with contaminated water can carry a higher risk.
Water is another important consideration. Current travel health guidance for Indonesia recommends taking care with food and drinking water, including drinking bottled or appropriately treated water.
Poor hand hygiene can also contribute. Washing your hands before eating and after using the bathroom is one of the simplest ways to reduce exposure to germs.
How to Prevent Bali Belly?
You do not need to avoid Indonesian food altogether to reduce your chances of getting sick. Instead, pay attention to food, water and hygiene.
Drink Safe Water
When travelling in Bali, choose bottled, sealed or properly treated drinking water. Be careful with water used for drinking, brushing your teeth and preparing food if you are unsure about its safety.
The CDC recommends choosing beverages from factory-sealed containers in destinations where travellers’ diarrhoea is a concern.
It is also useful to carry a reusable bottle that you can refill with safe drinking water throughout the day.
Be Selective About Where You Eat
You do not have to avoid local warungs or Indonesian cuisine simply because you are travelling. Instead, pay attention to basic hygiene.
Look for restaurants that appear clean, have good food turnover and serve food that is freshly prepared. Hot, thoroughly cooked food is generally a safer choice than food that has been sitting out for a long time.
If a restaurant has poor hygiene, food sitting uncovered for extended periods or questionable storage practices, choosing another place may be worthwhile.
Wash Your Hands Regularly
Hand hygiene is one of the easiest ways to reduce your exposure to germs.
Wash your hands with soap and water before eating and after using the bathroom. When washing facilities are unavailable, an alcohol-based hand sanitiser containing at least 60% alcohol can be useful.
This is particularly important if you are eating with your hands, visiting markets or spending long days exploring Bali.
Source: Pexels
Be Careful With Raw Food
Raw foods can carry a higher risk if they have been washed with contaminated water or handled incorrectly. If you are unsure about hygiene standards, choose cooked vegetables, freshly prepared meals or fruit that you can peel yourself.
Current Australian travel advice for Indonesia also recommends caution with raw foods and suggests choosing reputable food suppliers.
You can still enjoy Bali’s food scene while making sensible choices about where and what you eat.
What Should You Do If You Get Bali Belly?
If symptoms begin, the most important priority is hydration.
Diarrhoea and vomiting can cause your body to lose significant amounts of fluid and electrolytes. Drink plenty of safe fluids, and consider an oral rehydration solution (ORS) if you are losing a lot of fluid. The CDC recommends oral rehydration solutions for replacing fluids in more serious cases of travellers’ diarrhoea.
You may also find it easier to eat small amounts of simple foods while your stomach settles. Plain rice, toast, bananas, crackers and other mild foods can be easier to tolerate than heavy, spicy or greasy meals.
Give your body time to recover and avoid strenuous activities if you feel weak or dehydrated.
Source: Pexels
Can You Take Medicine for Bali Belly?
Some over-the-counter medicines can help manage symptoms, but they do not necessarily treat the underlying cause.
Loperamide, for example, can reduce diarrhoea and urgency for some adults. However, it is not appropriate in every situation. The CDC advises that antibiotics should only be used when medically indicated, particularly because the cause of travellers’ diarrhoea can vary.
If you have a fever, blood in your stool or severe symptoms, speak with a healthcare professional rather than relying solely on medication to control the symptoms.
When Should You See a Doctor?
Most mild cases can improve without medical treatment, but certain symptoms should not be ignored.
Seek medical attention if you experience:
- Signs of significant dehydration
- Blood in your stool
- Severe or persistent abdominal pain
- High or persistent fever
- Frequent vomiting that prevents you from keeping fluids down
- Symptoms that are severe or are not improving
- Symptoms that continue for an unusually long period
Children, older adults, pregnant travellers and people with certain underlying medical conditions may require medical advice sooner because dehydration can become more serious.
If you are unsure whether your symptoms require medical attention, contacting a local healthcare professional is the safest option.
Does Bali Belly Ruin Your Holiday?
Getting sick while travelling can be frustrating, especially if you have planned beach days, tours or activities. However, a short illness does not necessarily mean the rest of your trip is ruined.
If symptoms appear, take a break from your itinerary and focus on hydration and rest. Staying somewhere comfortable can make recovery much easier, particularly when you have easy access to food, drinking water and support.
This is one reason choosing accommodation with convenient facilities can be helpful when travelling in Bali.
Enjoy Bali While Taking Simple Precautions
Bali belly is a common concern for travellers, but there are practical ways to lower your risk. Choose safe drinking water, pay attention to food hygiene, wash your hands regularly and be sensible about raw foods. If you do become sick, prioritise hydration and give your body time to recover.
You do not need to spend your entire holiday worrying about getting sick. Bali has an incredible food culture, from local warungs and traditional dishes to beachfront restaurants and international dining. A few sensible precautions can help you enjoy it with greater confidence.
For a comfortable place to unwind during your Bali holiday, consider staying at Hotel Nikko Bali Benoa Beach in Tanjung Benoa. After a day of exploring, you can return to a relaxing beachfront setting and take some time to recharge.
