Bali Belly: How to Avoid It, What to Eat & Drink, and What to Do If You Get It
By the siappergi.com team · Published · 10 min read
Almost everyone who has been to Bali knows someone who spent a day of their holiday within sprinting distance of a bathroom. "Bali belly" is the local nickname for traveller's diarrhoea, and while it's rarely dangerous, it can wipe out a day or two of a short trip. The good news is that a handful of sensible habits make it much less likely, and if it does happen, knowing what to do speeds up recovery. This guide covers what causes it, what's really risky (and what isn't), a simple daily routine, what to pack, and when a stomach upset needs a doctor. It's general information, not medical advice — if you have a health condition, are pregnant or are travelling with small children, talk to a travel clinic before you go.
What Bali belly actually is
Traveller's diarrhoea is an infection of the gut, most often by bacteria (and sometimes viruses or parasites) picked up from food, water or hands. Your stomach meets unfamiliar microbes, sometimes in larger quantities than at home, and reacts. Typical symptoms are loose stools, cramps, nausea and sometimes vomiting or a mild fever. Most cases settle within one to three days with rest and fluids.
It isn't a sign that Bali's food is "dirty" — plenty of people eat at warungs every day without problems — but heat, a new diet, alcohol, dehydration and tiredness after a long flight all make you more vulnerable during the first days of a trip.
Water, ice and drinks
| Item | Risk | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Tap water | Not for drinking | Use sealed bottled water, filtered water or refill stations |
| Brushing teeth with tap water | Low for most people | Use bottled water if you have a sensitive stomach |
| Ice in cafés & restaurants | Usually low (factory-made ice is common) | If unsure, ask or order without ice |
| Fresh juices & smoothies | Depends on hygiene | Choose busy, clean places |
| Swallowing pool or sea water | Possible | Keep your mouth closed, especially after heavy rain |
| Unlabelled homemade spirits | Serious (methanol risk, not just stomach) | Avoid entirely |
Many hotels, villas and cafés provide refill water from large gallon bottles or filtration systems — refill a reusable bottle to cut plastic and cost. If you're staying in a villa, check whether the kitchen tap water is filtered before using it for drinking or cooking.
Food: what's lower risk and what's higher risk
| Generally lower risk | Generally higher risk |
|---|---|
| Food cooked fresh and served hot (nasi goreng, mie goreng, satay off the grill) | Food that has sat lukewarm for hours (buffets, displayed dishes in the heat) |
| Fruit you peel yourself (bananas, mangosteen, rambutan) | Pre-cut fruit plates of unknown origin |
| Busy warungs and restaurants with fast turnover | Quiet places where food sits waiting |
| Bottled or canned drinks | Drinks made with untreated water |
| Well-cooked seafood from busy grills | Raw or undercooked seafood and shellfish |
Don't let this list scare you away from local food — Balinese and Indonesian dishes are one of the best parts of a trip. Busy local places are often safer than quiet tourist cafés, simply because the food is cooked fresh all day. For ideas, see Bali food spots by scooter and vegan & vegetarian food in Bali.
A simple daily prevention routine
- Wash or sanitise your hands before every meal and after the bathroom — the single most useful habit.
- Drink plenty of safe water, more than you think: heat and sun dehydrate you fast, and dehydration makes stomach bugs worse.
- Go easy on the first two days: heavy drinking, rich food and long hours in the sun after a long flight is a classic recipe for trouble.
- Eat where it's busy and food is cooked to order.
- Store leftovers properly in the villa fridge, or don't keep them.
- Keep your mouth closed in the pool and sea, especially after heavy rain when runoff reaches the beaches.
Some travellers take probiotics before and during a trip. Evidence for preventing traveller's diarrhoea this way is mixed; ask a pharmacist or doctor at home whether it's worth it for you.
What to pack
- ☐ Oral rehydration salts (in Indonesian pharmacies these are sold as oralit).
- ☐ Hand sanitiser and wet wipes.
- ☐ A reusable water bottle.
- ☐ Any medicines your doctor recommends for traveller's diarrhoea, with instructions.
- ☐ A thermometer if you're travelling with children.
- ☐ Travel insurance details — saved on your phone and in your email.
If you get Bali belly: what to do
- Rehydrate. Sip oral rehydration solution, water, clear soups or coconut water regularly — little and often if you're nauseous.
- Rest in the shade or air-conditioning. Skip alcohol, coffee and heavy, fatty food until you feel better.
- Eat plain food when you're ready: rice, bananas, toast, plain noodles, broth (bubur, a rice porridge, is a local favourite for sick days).
- Ask a pharmacist (apotek) — larger pharmacies in tourist areas usually have English-speaking staff. Follow their or a doctor's advice on medicines; anti-diarrhoea tablets aren't suitable for everyone.
- Get food and supplies delivered with GrabFood or GoFood rather than heading out on a scooter.
When to see a doctor
Go to a clinic or hospital if you notice blood or mucus in your stool, a high fever, severe abdominal pain, signs of dehydration (very little urine, dizziness, a dry mouth, confusion), or if symptoms last longer than two or three days. Children, older travellers, pregnant women and people with chronic conditions should get help sooner. Many tourist-area clinics make hotel visits. See hospitals & clinics in Bali for options and emergency numbers.
Children, older travellers and pregnancy
Small children dehydrate much faster than adults, so diarrhoea or vomiting in a toddler needs closer attention: offer oral rehydration solution in small sips, keep breastfeeding or formula going, and see a doctor promptly if the child is unusually sleepy, has few wet nappies, can't keep fluids down or has a fever. Older travellers and anyone with diabetes, kidney or heart conditions, or a weakened immune system should also seek help earlier rather than wait it out. Pregnant travellers should ask their doctor before taking any medicine, including over-the-counter tablets. Hand hygiene matters even more with kids: wipe hands before snacks, and watch what goes into little mouths at the pool and beach.
Common myths about Bali belly
| Myth | Reality |
|---|---|
| "Only cheap street food causes it" | Expensive restaurants and hotel buffets can cause it too; freshness and hygiene matter, not price |
| "A shot of spirits kills the bacteria" | Alcohol doesn't sterilise your food, and heavy drinking makes dehydration worse |
| "You'll get it no matter what" | Many visitors never get sick; simple habits cut the risk a lot |
| "Brushing your teeth with tap water is dangerous" | Most people are fine; use bottled water if you're sensitive or immunocompromised |
| "It always passes on its own" | Usually, but blood, high fever or dehydration need a doctor |
Why you shouldn't ride while ill
A stomach bug leaves you weak, dehydrated and slow to react — exactly what you don't want in Bali traffic, in the heat. Sudden cramps on a busy road are not just uncomfortable but dangerous. If you get sick, leave the scooter parked, rest for a day, and go back to riding when you're eating normally again. Read sun & heat safety on a Bali scooter too: heat exhaustion feels similar and the two often go together.
Rented a scooter and lost a day to Bali belly? Message us on the same WhatsApp chat — if you'd rather extend by a day to make up for it, the admin will tell you the price before anything changes.
Getting around once you're well
When you're back on your feet, a scooter makes it easy to reach busy local warungs, markets and pharmacies without waiting for rides. Our Bali scooter rental delivers to your hotel; the Honda Scoopy (Gen 4) and Yamaha Fazzio 125 Hybrid have under-seat storage for water bottles and shopping. Total for 2 days: Honda Scoopy (Gen 4) IDR 180,000, Yamaha Fazzio 125 Hybrid IDR 200,000.
| Scooter | Engine | Per day | 2 days | Per week |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honda BeAT (Gen 4–5) | 110cc | IDR 80,000 | IDR 160,000 | IDR 425,000 |
| Honda Scoopy (Gen 4) | 110cc | IDR 90,000 | IDR 180,000 | IDR 515,000 |
| Yamaha Fazzio 125 Hybrid | 125cc | IDR 100,000 | IDR 200,000 | IDR 515,000 |
| Honda Vario 125 | 125cc | IDR 100,000 | IDR 200,000 | IDR 515,000 |
Delivery is free in Kuta, Legian and Seminyak; Sanur is IDR 60,000 and Canggu IDR 80,000 return. Travelling as a family and not keen to ride? A self-drive car starts at IDR 310,000/day — see car rental in Bali.
- Free delivery and pick-up to Ngurah Rai Airport and hotels or villas in Kuta, Legian & Seminyak.
- Other areas cost extra: Kerobokan, Berawa, Umalas, Sanur & Jimbaran IDR 60,000; Nusa Dua, Canggu & Pererenan IDR 80,000; Uluwatu IDR 100,000 (return trip included); Ubud and anywhere else, ask on WhatsApp.
- Pay in Indonesian Rupiah when the scooter arrives (bank transfer or e-wallet) — nothing paid in advance.
- Your passport is shown, not held — with your home licence + International Driving Permit at handover.
- No deposit on regular scooters. Big bikes (Harley-Davidson etc.) need a IDR 3,000,000 safety deposit, paid at your hotel after you confirm.
- 2 helmets with every scooter. Minimum rental 2 days. Free cancellation — just message the same WhatsApp chat.
- Optional extras: brand-new helmet IDR 50,000, phone/GPS holder IDR 20,000 per rental, plastic raincoat IDR 10,000 each.
Ready to rent a scooter or car?
Fixed catalogue prices, delivered to your hotel or villa. Book on WhatsApp and pay when the vehicle arrives.
All areas & scooter models
Frequently asked questions
Can you drink the tap water in Bali?
No. Drink sealed bottled water, filtered water or refill-station water. Many people brush their teeth with tap water without problems, but use bottled water if your stomach is sensitive.
Is the ice safe in Bali?
In established cafés, bars and restaurants, ice is usually factory-made and generally fine. If you're unsure, ask, or order drinks without ice.
How long does Bali belly last?
Most cases improve within one to three days with rest and fluids. If it lasts longer, or you have blood in your stool, a high fever or signs of dehydration, see a doctor.
What should I eat with Bali belly?
Plain, easy food when you feel ready — rice, bananas, toast, plain noodles, broth or bubur (rice porridge) — and plenty of oral rehydration solution. Avoid alcohol and greasy food until you recover.
Can I ride my rental scooter with Bali belly?
Better not. Dehydration and cramps slow your reactions. Rest for a day, order food by delivery app, and ride again once you're eating normally.
Do probiotics prevent Bali belly?
The evidence is mixed. Ask your pharmacist or doctor before you travel; good hand hygiene and safe water matter more.
This guide follows the SiapPergi editorial policy: facts are checked, market prices are given as ranges and mistakes are corrected. Spotted something wrong? Report a correction.
