Bali Belly: What It Is, How Long It Lasts & How We Avoided It for 2 Years in Bali
- Fletch
- 2 days ago
- 8 min read
Updated: 1 day ago
Avoiding getting Bali belly is the best way to well, you guessed it, avoid getting Bali belly on your next trip. We've lived in Bali for almost 2 years and so far, have avoided getting the dreaded stomach sickness - with 2 kids also. We're share all the ways we avoid getting sick and stay healthy in Bali.
If You're Looking for ways to stay healthy and safe when in Bali. You're in the right place... This post explains the preventative methods we take to avoid tummy and toilet troubles when in Bali and travelling South East Asia. As well as emergency numbers in case.
And if you're interested in Our Story of how we went from living a Depressed and Disconnected life in the UK to living the life of our dreams travelling the world, worldschooling our kids and building our dream home in Bali then I've linked some blog posts above.
And if not, Let's jump in to todays blog.
Table of Contents
Avoiding Bali Belly
(From a family who’s lived here long term)
If you're planning a trip to Bali, you’ve probably heard the term “Bali Belly” whispered in travel groups or mentioned with a half-laugh, half-serious warning. It’s one of the most common concerns travellers have — especially if you're travelling with kids.
As a family who has lived in Bali for almost two years, travelled all over the island, as well as many South East Asian Countries during this time with our Visa Runs etc, eaten in warungs, cafés, restaurants, hotels, beach clubs, and street stalls — we have never once had Bali Belly.
Not once.
And it’s not because we’re lucky. It’s because we’re careful, mindful, and have learned what actually causes it (and what doesn’t).
Here is everything you need to know plus the prevention habits we follow as a full-time travelling family. Because we truly believe some of these techniques have really toughened our tummy biome and helped prevent getting it. And honestly, we have seen Bali Belly first hand with friends that have got it and it's no joke. It's something we'd really prefer to keep far away.
What is Bali Belly?
Bali Belly is not actually specific to Bali, but more a general term for traveller’s diarrhoea that can happen when your stomach reacts to unfamiliar bacteria in food or water. You can actually get this ANYWHERE. Including back home.
It’s not unique to Bali, you can get it anywhere in the world where the bacteria differs from the bacteria that your gut is used to.
Some Common causes of travellers diarrhoea include:
• eating contaminated food
• drinking unsafe water (including ice in some cases)
• touching surfaces then eating without washing hands
• sudden changes in gut flora
• food left out too long in the heat
In most cases, it’s not dangerous — just very uncomfortable and inconvenient, especially on holiday.
But severe cases of it can be awful. The worst we've ever been was on a 1 week holiday to Egypt where we were all extremely poorly. Oh my God we were so sick. We've all never been so sick in our lives, with severe crampings and extreme toilet proximity requirements. And even when we got back home to the UK, our gut health was terrible for the next 6 months. So we know what 'Bali belly' is just not in Bali. Egypt wins the award!
The Symptoms of Bali Belly
With Bali belly, most people experience:
• nausea
• stomach cramps
• diarrhoea
• vomiting
• bloating
• loss of appetite
• low energy
• mild fever (sometimes)
Symptoms usually come on quickly — often within hours of eating something your body reacts to. And the above symptoms can be violent. And quite shocking as one friend told us.
Is it Contagious
Technically, no — Bali Belly itself isn’t contagious. You don’t “catch” Bali Belly from someone else just by being near them. BUT… It can spread within a family if:
• the same contaminated food was eaten
• hands aren’t washed properly after going to the toilet
• surfaces aren’t cleaned
• towels, cutlery, or bottles are shared
And this is why quite often when one person in a travel party gets it, everybody seems to.
So while it's not contagious like a cold, good hygiene prevents it from passing around.
How Long Does Bali Belly Last
For most travellers, Bali Belly lasts 24–48 hours. At worst, 3–4 days.
How long it lasts depends on:
• your hydration
• your gut health
• and how quickly you treat symptoms
• also whether the cause was bacterial, viral, or simply food sensitivity will determine what lives inside your body longer.
The majority of cases resolve on their own with rest, hydration, and over-the-counter remedies.
Ways We Avoid Bali Belly
(How we lived in Bali for nearly two years with kids — and avoided it completely)
This section comes from real lived experience.
1. We are strict about hand hygiene
This is honestly the biggest one.
Kids = hands everywhere. Bali = warm climate = bacteria multiplies faster.
So we always:
• wash hands before every meal
• carry sanitiser
• sanitise after touching menus, railings, handles
• never let the kids eat after playing unless hands are washed
It sounds basic — but this alone prevents most cases. We're not completely anal about it but we do it by habit. And honestly after going out, your hands kind of feel so grubby any way that this is all totally common sense. We don't even stroke our kitten until we've washed our hands. Just with soap and tap water.
2. We drink filtered or bottled water only
Every villa we’ve lived in has had:
• a water dispenser
• filtered drinking water
• no tap water for brushing teeth
We also never refill reusable bottles from random dispensers unless we trust the source.
3. We’re selective about where we eat
We eat at:
• clean warungs
• reputable cafés
• busy places where food turnover is high
We avoid:
• buffets sitting out in heat
• salads washed in unknown water
• ice from small shops that don’t use purified water
(For reference: most cafés and restaurants in Bali do use filtered ice — but street shops may not.)
4. We ease into local food when we arrive at a place
Not so much in Bali now, but when we travel to a new country. Because your gut needs a few days to adjust.
And then during the first week back in Bali:
• we eat simple meals
• nothing too spicy
• cooked foods over raw foods
• no street fruit that’s been cut and left out
By week two, everything settles and you can enjoy more variety.
5. We support our gut health intentionally
This was the best advice we got from fellow expats who told us about probiotics and electrolytes. So We all now take:
• a daily probiotics. And especially a series of them before travelling
• electrolytes (daily in the heat). A coconut offers great natural electrolytes and we also carry sachets. But failing that a cold water, with a little sea salt and lemon is excellent.
• lots of water
• coconut water is sold in most stores / shops cartoned (but watch out for added sugar varieties that SE Asian countries seem to love adding to everything)
• simple whole foods. We love Bali Budda for this.
Your stomach handles new environments better when your gut is strong.
6. We avoid reheated food at small warungs + use our nose
Fresh is always best.
If a place looks quiet and food is sitting out, we skip it.
We recently ate at Jimberan beach and the prawns smelled funny, so we avoided them. It's the most basic in terms of using our senses, but if something smells off, don't go near it. Our friends got sick btw.
7. We don’t let the kids swallow pool water
This is a surprisingly common cause of stomach upset — not the food. Same with shower water - we shower in the tap water BUT never have mouths open and let the water in how sometimes you would back home.
8. We use our intuition
If something feels “off,” smells strange, or looks questionable … we just don’t eat it.
This simple rule has served us well.
Bali Belly Treatment
(What to do if you get it)
Most cases are mild and can be treated at home.
✔ Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate
Use: electrolytes, coconut water, Hydralyte / ORS
Avoid dehydration — Bali heat makes it worse.
✔ Rest
Your body heals faster when you slow down.
✔ Activated charcoal (optional)
We carry a bag of charcoal to whiten our teeth and many travellers swear by this within the first hours of symptoms, as it can bind toxins. When I did a parasite cleanse in Ubud I used the charcoal then to pass parasites which worked wonders and so I can vouch for the same for if I ever have a stomach bug.
Not recommended for children unless advised.
✔ Probiotics
Helps rebalance your gut flora. Amazing stuff.
✔ Over-the-counter meds
Such as: Imodium (for diarrhoea — not recommended if fever is present), Paracetamol (for discomfort)
✔ When to see a doctor
See a doctor if:
• symptoms last more than 3 days
• you can’t keep fluids down
• there is blood in stool
• fever is high or persistent
• it’s a young child
• dehydration signs appear
Hospitals and Clinics in Bali
Bali actually has excellent private medical clinics with quick service where the Doctor will actually come to your house. We have never known healthcare like this being from England with the NHS, that everybody says is amazing, but if you need to see a doctor you'll be lucky to get an appointment in 6 weeks. Make sure you have medical insurance so if you ever are caught out you can call out a doctor and get the care you need.
1. BIMC Hospital (in Kuta & 1 in Nusa Dua) - Open 24 hours
📍 Locations: Kuta & Nusa Dua
🏥 Type: International Hospital
🌍 Website: bimcbali.com
BIMC is Bali’s most recognised international hospital, offering Western-standard medical care. They have a 24/7 accident and emergency department. English-speaking paediatricians and have one in Kuta and one in the South Nusa Dua.
Why we recommend it: They have a dedicated children’s wing making it great for families.
2. Siloam Hospitals (in Denpasar) - Open 24 hours
📍 Location: Denpasar, near Kuta
🏥 Type: Private Hospital
🌍 Website: siloamhospitals.com
Siloam is a nationwide healthcare chain in Indonesia. It has excellent facilities with a good pediatric department.
3. Kasih Ibu Hospital (Denpasar, Saba, and Kedonganan) - Open 24 hours
📍 Locations: Multiple across Bali
🏥 Type: Private Hospital
🌍 Website: kasihibuhospital.com
Not as internationally recognized as BIMC but provides quality healthcare at a slightly more affordable price point.
Why we recommend it: There are usually shorter waiting times.
4. UbudCare Clinic (Ubud) typically open 8am-10pm
📍 Location: Central Ubud
🏥 Type: Clinic
🌍 Website: ubudcareclinic.com
UbudCare is a reliable walk-in clinic right in Bali's cultrual heart Ubud. With experienced doctors comfortable treating children. Not equipped for emergencies however, but great for fever, stomach bugs, minor injuries.
Why we recommend it: Great if you need a quick check-up or prescription.
5. Prime Plus Medical (Canggu & Seminyak) - Open 24 hours
📍 Locations: Canggu & Seminyak
🏥 Type: General Clinic
🌍 Website: primeplusmedical.com
Why we recommend it: They offer affordable house calls, which is a win if you can’t get out of bed.
Useful Emergency Numbers in Bali
Keep these numbers handy in case of any emergency especially important while you're traveling with children:
🚑 BIMC Emergency: +62 361 761263
📞 Medical Emergency (General): 112
🚔 Bali Police: 110
🚒 Fire Department: 113
I hoped this post helped you.
Let me know in the comments below if you liked this post or if it helped you. I hope you've never had Bali Belly, but if you have, please share your best methods for dealing with it. I hope this has inspired you to apply common sense caution to stay healthy but don't go overkill and avoid missing out on Bali life. And please just trust me on those probiotics before you head out. Your gut will thank you for it.
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