If you’re planning a trip to Bali, you might have heard stories about “Bali Belly” – that dreaded stomach issue that catches many travelers off-guard. My boyfriend and I tried to be extra cautious to avoid it, but he still ended up with a bad case. I wanted to share our experience with Bali Belly, what we did to prevent getting sick in the first place, and what finally helped when my boyfriend came down with it.
What is Bali Belly?
“Bali Belly” is essentially food poisoning or a bacterial infection caused by contaminated food, water, or unsanitary conditions in Bali. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, and sometimes fever. For travelers, it can be a huge setback, so knowing how to prevent it and how to handle it if it happens is key.
How We Tried to Avoid Bali Belly
We followed a few tips to minimize our chances of getting sick:
- Don’t open your mouth in the shower
Bali’s water isn’t always safe to drink, and even small amounts can lead to an upset stomach. So, we kept our mouths closed in the shower just to be safe. - Use a water dispenser for hygiene
For washing our hands and brushing our teeth, we kept a water dispenser with clean water nearby. You can find portable pumps on Amazon to make it easy to use bottled water throughout your stay. - Practice good hand hygiene
We made it a habit to wash our hands before every meal and to use hand sanitizer for an extra layer of protection. - Research restaurants for “food poisoning” reviews
Before choosing a spot to eat, we searched reviews for keywords like “food poisoning,” “Bali Belly,” “sick,” or “stomach issues.” We also opted for more reputable restaurants with high ratings. - Stay hydrated
Dehydration can make diarrhea worse, so we made it a priority to drink plenty of clean water daily. - Skip takeout
We decided to avoid takeout since food sitting in Bali’s heat for even a short time can spoil quickly. Google Maps reviews often mentioned food poisoning from takeout, so we stuck to dine-in meals. - Avoid ready-made and raw foods
Pre-made and raw foods, like salads, can be more prone to contamination, so we kept our choices to freshly prepared dishes. - Avoid Bali during rainy season
Bali’s rainy season (November to March) can increase the risk of foodborne illnesses due to more bacteria in standing water.
Myths About Bali Belly
A few common warnings about Bali Belly didn’t really apply to us.
- Ice and Vegetables: We read that tourists should avoid ice and raw veggies, but in Canggu, the food and drink standards seemed solid, and we didn’t have any issues with ice or fresh vegetables. I was having iced lattes every day, and it was totally fine for me.
The Culprit
Despite our precautions, my boyfriend still got Bali Belly. We’re pretty sure we know what caused it.
We were at a cafe where we both ordered the same dish and had lattes. I went with oat milk, and he chose fresh milk with strawberries. He mentioned that his latte tasted a little “off,” but he drank it anyway. A few hours later, he started feeling nauseous, and by that night, he had severe symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, and a headache. His symptoms lasted two days intensely and lingered for a few days after.
What We Did to Help Him Recover
Here’s what worked for him:
- Doctor’s Visit
Initially, we thought his nausea was due to a magnesium supplement he was taking. But as his symptoms worsened on day two, we headed to a clinic. The doctor recommended a mix of IV fluids (saline and nutrition), antibiotics, and anti-nausea medication. Although costly (about $400), the IV offered some temporary relief, and he felt significantly better the following day. - Sticking to Plain Foods
During recovery, he stuck to plain foods like chicken breast and rice and drank coconut water and Pocari Sweat to rehydrate. - Coconut Water and Pocari Sweat
He drank a lot of coconut water and Pocari Sweat (a popular electrolyte drink in Bali), which helped with hydration and electrolyte balance. - Consider Dukoral and Travel Insurance
We had taken Dukoral, an oral vaccine against certain bacteria, before traveling. It might’ve given him some protection, but travel insurance was a huge relief since Bali Belly seems to affect nearly everyone at some point.
Final Thoughts on Bali Belly
While we did our best to avoid Bali Belly, sometimes it’s unavoidable. Having travel insurance and access to good medical care in Bali really made a difference in my boyfriend’s recovery. I hope these tips help you navigate Bali Belly safely and enjoy your trip with fewer worries! Safe travels, and may your trip be filled with great memories, not Bali Belly!
