what is bali belly & how to deal with it?

It's almost impossible to go on a trip to a place like Bali or Thailand without hearing about Bali Belly. Despite the fact that the vast majority of people will be able to safely travel and eat their way through Bali without any worries, a percentage of tourists do get Bali Belly from contaminated food or water. If you think you may be experiencing Bali Belly or you're trying to prevent this from happening to you, then this guide is for you. My brother had Bali Belly during our trip to Indonesia so I'm here to share his experience to help those who have Bali Belly or are trying not to get it during their trip.

Bali Belly is essentially traveler's diarrhea. Even though the name is specific to Bali, the illness, in fact, is not. Travelers can get "Bali Belly" during a trip anywhere in the world but it's most commonly referred to as Bali Belly because visitors often experience it in Bali. Some other common places where tourists may get this stomach bug include countries in southeast Asia like Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia.

WHAT IS THE MAIN CAUSE OF BALI BELLY?

The main cause of Bali Belly is consuming bacteria like Escherichia coli (E. coli), Shigella, and/or Salmonella in either food or water. While Indonesian locals can eat and drink whatever they want from their home region without any problems, tourists cannot consume the water and certain foods in Bali because it's not always properly treated. This means that there is not only a contamination risk when it comes to bacteria, viruses, and parasites but the water is also more prone to dirt, debris, and harmful chemicals.

HOW COMMON IS BALI BELLY?

Bali Belly is actually pretty common with approximately 20-50% of people traveling to non-first-world countries experiencing this illness. However, it's important to remember that this statistic is based on multiple countries, not just Bali. This means that if you are experiencing Bali Belly in Indonesia or any other southeast Asian countries, you aren't alone! Unfortunately lots of travelers go through this experience. 

SIGNS YOU MAY HAVE BALI BELLY

It may be hard to diagnose Bali Belly but if you do notice a mix of the following symptoms while traveling in a country like Bali then it is likely you're experiencing Bali Belly:

Note that these symptoms will typically appear 1-5 days after exposure to contaminated food or water.

HOW LONG DOES BALI BELLY LAST?

Bali Belly can last anywhere from a few days to over a week depending on the root cause and the individual. Most travelers report that Bali Belly feels like a 24 hour stomach bug that goes away on its own while others may be suffering from the symptoms for 4+ days. If you do experience symptoms for more than 4 days and have a fever, bloody stool, and/or nausea/vomiting then you should seek medical intervention. While Bali Belly isn't a very serious illness, it can turn dangerous if the individual is dehydrated as a result of the symptoms lasting for long periods of time.

IS IT POSSIBLE TO FLUSH OUT BALI BELLY?

No, you cannot "flush out" Bali Belly. The best way to get rid of Bali Belly is to hydrate with clean water that's either been boiled or filtered (no tap water!), eat bland foods that are easy to digest like bananas, rice, toast, etc., and to rest. By managing your symptoms you should be able to get over Bali Belly within a few days. If not and the symptoms persist or worsen after 4 days then it's a good idea to seek medical help. A professional may be able to prescribe you an anti-diarrheal medication.

IS IT POSSIBLE TO AVOID BALI BELLY?

Yes, it is possible to avoid Bali Belly. By being very cautious when it comes to the food and water you consume in different countries, you can minimize the chances of coming into contact with bacteria and viruses like Escherichia coli (E. coli), Shigella, and/or Salmonella. It's advised that Bali tourists only drink bottled or boiled water and never drink any tap water. Do not order any ice in your drinks. You also want to be careful consuming any raw foods like salads which may be washed with the water. Make sure that any restaurants you visit have good ratings and are reputable places to eat at. You can also take preventative supplements like Travelan or probiotics during your trip to help decrease the chances of Bali Belly.

Bali Belly is diagnosed based on symptoms and, occasionally, stool samples. Most doctors will treat Bali Belly by helping patients to manage symptoms like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, fever, etc. IV fluids may be ordered for those who need rapid rehydration and anti-diarrhea medication may be provided for tourists with an upset stomach. The most important thing to do when you have Bali Belly is to continually hydrate, rest, and eat bland foods like toast and rice, the same way you do when you have any other routine stomach bug at home.

CAN YOU GET BALI BELLY MORE THAN ONCE?

Unfortunately it is possible to get Bali Belly more than once. After you are exposed to the bacteria/viruses/parasites in contaminated food or water once, your body is still not used to these harmful pathogens. That means that each time that you are exposed to the bacteria you will likely get Bali Belly again. If you have had Bali Belly once, then make sure to always remember the basics when consuming anything in a non-first world country like Bali: drink bottled or filtered water, never tap water, and eat food from reputable places where it is fully cooked. Be mindful to not order any drinks with ice or get any raw foods like salad that may be washed in the water.

IS BALI BELLY CONTAGIOUS?

Yes, Bali Belly is contagious and can be passed from person to person through hot food, drinking tap water, or poor hygiene practices. If you or someone in your group has Bali Belly, make sure that you are practicing good hand hygiene and washing your hands after going to the bathroom. Avoid sharing food or personal items with anyone who has Bali Belly.

CAN BALI BELLY KILL YOU?

Despite the fact that Bali Belly can be very uncomfortable with multiple unpleasant symptoms, it is not typically life threatening. The majority of tourists only experience Bali Belly symptoms for a couple days at most, and then it will go away on its own. The only life threatening thing to keep in mind with Bali Belly is that many patients will face dehydration after having diarrhea and/or vomiting which is why it is so critical to continue hydrate regardless of what symptoms you may face. Severe dehydration can be fatal so it if has been a few days and you feel very dehydrated then seek medical intervention. An IV can rehydrate you quickly if water is passing through you without getting absorbed fast enough.

Travel Smarter with Firsthand Tips

Bali Belly can be an unpleasant surprise, but knowing what to expect—and how to treat it—can make all the difference in your trip. I’ve been to Bali and 17 countries around the world, and I love sharing honest travel advice based on my own experiences and tips I’ve learned from locals along the way. If you love travel content, make sure to subscribe for more updates. You can also scroll down for more Bali-specific blogs, including answers to common questions, recommendations, and reviews of the best (and worst) tourist spots on the island.