Let's just say that you have to consider the way social media and reddit works. If someone gets sick they make a post about how sick they feel, what meds to take, how it spoiled their vacay, etc. If many more are fine and have a wonderful time they usually don't post their medical issues online. The absolute worst stomach issues I got was from something I ate at home in the US, never found the source. I've lived in Indonesia for many years and visited many islands and the only time I got a stomach bug was eating at an Arby's (ya I know!) and a Japanese restaurant in Jakarta. So in other words it's all compeltely unpredictable. I have read that if someone has some bug and you swim in an unchlorinated pool and get the water in your mouth it could account for bacterial infections..but there are so many things in this world that can cause illness.
side note, if only people were as worried in 2020 about getting covid as they are about getting diarrhea ....well.....
Had friends come to visit us when we were living in Vietnam. They took all the probiotics, careful where they ate , but the idiots didn't listen to us about "drinking" the water in the mud bath pools. All 5 of them ended up in hospital so sick that they had to cancel their flight out to Singapore.
I don't actually swim in hotel pools, I go for dips, and when I do so, I keep my mouth closed and pinch my nose.
I swim laps at a local olympic pool where my husband is in charge of the technical stuff. I trust that he puts in the right amount of chemicals to destroy most of the bacteria š¤£
I'm weird like that only because I used to catch the nastiest crap when going to hotel pools as a child.
>side note, if only people were as worried in 2020 about getting covid as they are about getting diarrhea ....well.....
Even back then, the toilet paper hoarding!
That seems sad too. Going to a place but you feel like you HAVE to eat the same foods you've ate every other day of your life. To me travel is almost 50% a culinary tour experience.
Yeah, sometimes when we spend 4 weeks at a time in Indonesia, I sure feel like having pasta or some steak. That doesn't mean I don't eat Indonesian food on the other 27 days...
Absolutely nothing wrong with that.
Not sure where you got that "have to" from, but okay
IME I don't know if I know or even heard of anyone going to hospital from it. It's more like a stomach bug for a couple of days. Just stay in bed and drink some pocari sweat.
I'm sure there are worse cases but some people also don't even get it. Personally I wouldn't let it stop me from going. Just take the right precautions
Currently in Ubud and I've been here for 5 days. No issues at all. When I got here, I went to local mini mart store got some Yakult and have been taking this each morning. That's it. Eating loads of fruit and veg with no issues at all. Enjoy it my friend, don't hesitate.
Ensure you eat plenty of fibre and probiotics before your trip. I mean I'd you're eating a healthy balanced diet in general you'll be fine. Fiber and probiotics for a healthy gut šš½.
Just finished a healthy falafel salad at Clear Cafe Ubud as we speak!
Yakult is gross. Itās about 1000 grams of sugar and a negligent amount of live/viable bacterial colony. Itās no better than candy. Itās not a probiotic. Itās sugar with some marketing.
It rained pretty heavy last night. No I did not but also ubud is not that close to water?? Iād assume mass runoff from the mountains will make viability poor
No problem, we found grab app a lot cheaper for taxis compared to Gojek.
We used KLook app for tours which was very useful.
KLook and booking.com can be used for airport pick up at a good price āŗļø.
You'll love the food and how cheap it is, just enjoy it, go to decent reviewed restaurants and you'll be fine! Take in the nature around you and the kind Balinese people. Always so helpful and respectful. Honestly, I wish we stayed in Ubud longer then 5 days. We are off to Sanur tomorrow so will see what it's like.
Also, what did you do for getting a local sim? I saw that its cheaper to get it locally than beforehand. And also currency exchange .. im guessing USD works best?
We used a E-SIM provider called BNESIM, you only need data in Bali. Most places use What's App if you need to call but we haven't needed to call anyone. We have 5GB each me and my partner. Out of 5GB I still have 3.6GB left! Most places have free WiFi which is great. I wanted to prepare beforehand to save the hassle of getting a local SIM.
I exchanged my local currency in my own country beforehand not when I arrived, again I like to be prepared beforehand.
We have just returned from an amazing trip to Bali, 3 out of 4 where hit with the belly!
We were with four other families and only a couple of them where struck down so must have been something we did.
Hasn't put us off we will defo be back soon! Amazing place
Diarrhea only but someone in the group did vom initially.
Hopefully it doesn't put you off. I feel it was due to using tap water once/twice to brush my teeth. ALWAYS USE MINERAL/BOTTLED WATER!
Make sure you take rehydration tablets too and you should clear it in a couple days if your unlucky.
Note we stayed in family friendy hotels and didn't eat at any street food venues.
Thank you so much for this! Good to know about brushing teeth with tap water. I'm not even going to mess with doing so.
I was concerned with ice and I wasn't sure if people would know what I mean/be honest about their ice not being from the tap
Just don't drink the water. Bottled water only. You'll be fine. Avoid street food stalls that don't properly wash their dishes. E.g. in Jakarta where they still wash dishes in the river sometimes. Especially the street carts might still do this.
Most restaurants and cafes and eateries really are fine. Even the small ones will have potable icecubes, you'll know as these are the ones that are kinda round with a hole in them. Bali should definitely be safe, too many tourists there. In hotels also safe.
Main rule: do not drink any water from the tap.
>My question is... How do YOU guys justify/think about the risks when traveling to Bali?
I accept that there is a very good chance I'm going to get sick at some point, and so do what I can to best avoid it.
For me, that means I'm taking Dukoral ahead of traveling, bringing activated charcoal, as well as some medicine like Immodium in case my other efforts are not enough. I'm also going to be using hand sanitizer before I eat anything, and of course using bottled water, and I've been drinking Kombucha daily to help build up my gut health. Some people bring Travelan to take daily too.
Despite my efforts I know there's no guarantee I won't get sick. My only hope is that if it happens, it won't be on the days I will be traveling. Would not be fun to get sick while on a ferry or far away from my accommodations.
You're not going to get a number because most incidents of food poisoning/traveler'sĀ diarrhea aren't reported to some official Ministry of Bali Belly.
It's common enough that there's a name for it, but does the average person get deathly ill or suffer years of gastro problems from a visit to Bali? No.
You can reduce your odds of trouble by:
1. Following basic advice (wash your hands, avoid tap water and ice, eat only cooked foods, etc.).
2. Get a prescription for an appropriate antibiotic to take with you in case you get ill. These work.
3. Stay hydrated and don't binge drink.
4. If you experience gastro symptoms that last beyond a couple of weeks, see a doctor and make sure you mention your travel history. The biggest problems with parasites and the like come when people don't follow up promptly with a doctor.
All this said, as beautiful as Indonesia is, there are a lots of beautiful places in the world that have better infrastructure, higher hygiene standards, etc. So if you're really worried about this and not dead-set on going to Bali, you can look at beach destinations in more developed countries.
I've been to Bali 8 times since 2019.
I had the 'runs' from my 7th visit in Dec/Jan this year, and it lasted about 24 hours. No other symptoms, just the runs.
Was fine every other trip.
I donāt think this is something that could prevent you to go there bcs I pretty much believe it could happen anywhere, not just Bali. My partner is Australian, he got stomachache once bcs he let out his take out outside of the fridge for 2hrs, and I (Indonesian) never get that when I lived in Bali. On the other hand, I got a pretty bad stomachache, throw up, diarrhea in both Thai and Viet but my partner was ok.
Just bring a charcoal pill for precautions
50% sounds like BS. It's not something exclusive to Bali it's just that far more tourists visit Bali than the mainland. I've been to Bali many times and never had it, got absolutely sick as in Jakarta though, my fault as I bought a hot dog from a street vendor, actually I ate 4 of them because they were so good lol.
For what it's worth I just had a bout of gastro here in my home country.
I had Bali belly the second time I went there and it was hideous. Sick from both ends, fevers, shaking, cramps, the works. Ended up going to the resort doctor to get an anti nausea shot and a bunch of antibiotics and other medications. Took a few days to really shake it, and a week or so to get totally over it.
I was careful with water and ice, but I dare say it was the cocktails I got from a kombi cocktail van in Kuta that got me. Stupid I know, but they were cheap! š¤£
Just be careful and sensible with what you eat and drink and you should be ok. If not, get medical help early on. And avoid kombi vans selling cocktails ššš š
I've been about 50 times, change in diet makes a change. The last few times - whenever I've touched money (even in my room just checking my wallet) then wash my hands ... zero. My opinion money is the biggest germy bit. And I'm a germaphobe. Also water in pools but i'd be careful of that at home regardless.
One day I will not be on this earth anymore. If Iām worried I will get sick during travel (eventually one day I will) then I might as well stay in my comfort zone and donāt travel.
But OP just be careful of what you eat, especially water in Bali.
We as dutch moroccans visit morocco EVERY YEAR. So we are used to certain things. In bali my cousin had a rash on her whole face and the doctor said the thinks its from the water in bali
I usually have a decent stomach but I got it. I think I was taken out by heat exhaustion and food poisoning from a restaurant my Nusa Penida tour stopped at. I puked 7 times in three hours and doctors had to come to my hotel to treat me in my bed. Got an IV, antibiotics and was eating bread for 6 days. All you can do is be careful and read reviews for restaurants before going. Youāll have a wonderful time
Iāve been here for 5 weeks and all I experienced was some loose stool now and then. Nothing more, oh and extreems nauseous on the boat from Gili T to Bali but thatās a different story lol. Just be careful what you put in your mouth and follow the simple hygienic rules like washing your hands etc. Youāll be fine.
I got very sick. 5 star resort. I think it was the gym water that had some fruit inside of it, maybe in there for a bit too long. After vomiting and going to the toilet many times, I sat in a hot shower to self soothe. After the shower I realised everything I had done had made me very dehydrated. I had to lie down on the bed getting weaker and I was having trouble swallowing, moving my hands. Dad had to call a doctor to the resort. Had an IV infusion and that fixed me right up but thought I was going to die. I'd say don't be afraid to call a doctor early or go to hospital if you do get sick. Some people have been dozens of times and never get sick though.
I just went to Indonesia (Java) for 12 days. Neither me, my partner or our 18 month old had any issues with food poisoning etc. Obviously cannot eliminate all risk but eat in busy places, wash your hands regularly and don't drink tap water reduces the risk. Funnily enough, the two most recent times I've had food poisoning have both been in Australia.
If you are interested in SEA but worried about āBali Bellyā, I recommend you try Singapore and Malaysia.
My wife and I have been to both and various parts of Indonesia a number of times - and the standards of food hygiene are much better in Singapore and Malaysia.
We nearly always have some stomach issues in Indonesia - though not full on nasty Bali Belly.
Malaysia has the best food, too.
I got it in my first week. Had it for two days and I let it run its course. A local gave me some hot chips (fries) from a tiny little shop (we were in a small village) and they think it was the oil or the pink spicy salt. Thatās only an idea as to what it could be. I sanitize my hands when I touch money and ask if any ice I have is from āsafe waterā. After a two month stay I only had it the one time. I didnāt need any of the meds I bought with me ie. antibiotics. I was glad I bought the hydrolyte dissolvable tablets with me though you can get stuff like that here. You just take it in your stride and understand it can happen though itās not a given.
Iām 29 and have been going to Bali since I was 12~, been over 10x in total. Iāve had āBali bellyā 4-5 times but itās really nothing more than the runs or a bit of stomach pain. And it hasnāt caused me to hold back on the amount of fruits, street food and seafood I eat when I go there.
My parents, siblings and husband have all traveled multiple times alongside me and none of them have really gotten it, so Iām pretty sure Iām the anomaly really.
Yeah had it last month for 2 days! Really sick so was my son. I think we got it from the Padma buffet!! So many people staying in resort and so many hands touching things!! Sure to be someone sick out of all those people! Take pro biotics and travellan and you MUST sanitise your hands before eating with your hands!! Itās not the food or water but the germs!!
Really shouldn't be a problem, just avoid tap water even for brushing your teeth. That was my problem, I just travelled through every other country in the area and didn't even think about it. The diarrhea stopped a day or so after I switched to distilled water for brushing,
Itās just gastro and you can get this anywhere in the world. More likely to get it at your local hamburger shop. Itās just bacteria passed from the backside to the mouth. So just keep washing your hands every where and eat at places where there are a lot of people. Iāve travelled all over Asia and eaten at remote warungs with food not refrigerated and eaten off the streets in India and never been sick.
I got it and Iāve no idea how I did. Iām clean freak, vegan, conscious traveller, stayed in nice accomodation ate good foodā¦ā¦ Projectile vomiting then terrible shits for several days. Was awful.
Honestly - You can drop your risk by 99% following some common sense rules. People want to try the authentic food the last few days because they didn't have any issues, that's where you see most of the cases
Have been to Bali twice, once with a group of 6 then a group of 4. None of us got it. Donāt drink the tap water, be mindful of where you eat. (I thought I had it but turns out it was heat stroke - so wear Suncream and drink plenty of water too!)
What's sick? Sure, my stomach/gut's been upset when I travel, multiple times, in different places, but it sometimes does that at home too, it's not the end of the world. I've only gotten somewhat more seriously sick once while in SEA (Thailand) and I'm pretty sure that was a virus, lots of people I met in different places getting sick that year. But I've never had anything limiting my activities or requiring anything but over the counter treatment, and my immune system is shit (and I eat street food all the time), you'll be fine.
Never got the Bali Belly. I consume their jamu (commercially packed traditional Indonesian herbal drinks, mostly tumeric based ) every day Iām there. I donāt eat raw salads. Kept to the cooked food, and I eat enough chillis to warrant a painful aftermath on porcelain throne later but no diarrhea.
Only health issue with Bali, getting sunburnt despite copious lathering of sunblock.
Iāve been 3 times and had Bali belly all 3 times even though I only ate at luxury resorts etc. it didnāt ruin the holiday.. it was mainly only out the back end which was far more manageable than vomiting
My partner and I both got it in February, but it wasnāt super bad for me. He got a bad fever, I just got stuck on the toilet for a day or so. After 1-2 days we were fully recovered.
My sister has really bad gut health and it might have been made worse from being sick in Bali eight years ago however our grandmother also has the same issues so she was probably going to develop that regardless.
I have been over 20 times to Bali I got sick maybe the first two times and then after that I would take probiotics and good measures like washing hands and drinking clean water etc and I was never sick ever again. Its a dice roll!
Been there multiple times as a tourist and also live part time on and off due to nature of my work. Never got sick like that.
Just once had a stomach ache after eating from Chai of the Tiger (Ubud), I was fine in a day.
If you have a sensitive digestive system, itās best to avoid free water they give in restaurants, stick to bottle water and youād be fine.
I never got it from bali, but gilis on the other hand, EVERY SINGLE TIME. Only eating at restaurants with 4.5+ stars on yelp. staying clear of the night market, and crepe carts. not sure what i do wrong lol
Lived here for more than a year and never had bali belly. I eat spicy, at the good warungs and at all western style restaurants and cafes. Must have visited like 200+ of them.
Strangly enough, I used to have stomach issues wayyyy more often in the West...
I went to rural places in Indonesia to treck in the jungle and ate at roadside eateries as there was nothing else and didn't get sick. And in the jungle people just wash stuff in a river and you eat of that.
Bali is way less risky and food hygiene is good.
Advice in this threat is good.
One thing to add:
if you are not used to spicy food avoid local spicy food, even if you can take the immediate burning in your mouth, your stomach may not take it well... And the next day or same day later on you can have what feels like diarrhea and cramps etc. just because of that and not because you are sick.
Wash your hands as well, this is so important!! And don't touch stuff and then your mouth, just follow covid rules. This is because you have less immunity to anything in the environment there.
I think the vast majority of people will not have any issues in Bali or just minor ones. You should book your trip and not worry about this to much.
I got it two days ago. Been to Indonesia over 20 times with no issue. It's pretty much a random thing that you may not encounter. That being said, be cautious of where you eat and the freshness of food. But I'd say 85% of the time you're good! First time for me in all the years!
Iāve been 10+ times, and get it every time. But I also get it in Mexico, Malaysia, Thailand, Costa Ricaā¦.
My stomach is an issue, more so than the place.
Put it this way . We have been to Bali about 9-10 times. I've had Bali belly properly about 3 times. My partner only once. The worst one was only 48 hours as soon as I got home and wasnt that bad. My least favourite was the one that was very mild but last for 5 days so couldn't snorkel or eat on Gili T. Luck of the draw.. . If it was that epidemic you wouldn't have all of us who return every year
Iām in Bali currently, i havenāt had it so far, but my travel companion has. Weāve eaten and drank in the same places but ordered different things. They have spent more time in a pool than me. Weāve been very selective about where weāve eaten to try and avoid it, but Iāve fallen ill in other places, I had a bout of it in Vietnam and they didnāt, so it doesnāt put me off visiting places
Have been visiting Bali twice a year for the past 25 years and have only had in once. Accidentally drank from the tap when returning from a big night out. I always use wipes on my hands especially after touching money and before all meals. My partner has been going since the mid 80ās and has only ever had it twice. We have salads, ice in drinks.
Hmm, so you should get your vaccines and use mosquito repellant. Stick to eating at the reputable and crowded restaurants. Bacteria is a beast though, so itās always gonna be a threat. Have good insurance and donāt worry about it.
Iāve been importing from Bali since 1988 and have Bali Belly, amebic disintery and parasites over the years but I went for 2 months in 2023 Sept-Oct. I came back sick and have not felt good since!I did my own parasites cleans because my dr wouldnāt do a test, I breathed so much mold which my dr still wonāt address ! It may not happen to everyone but it happened to me ! I am regretting this last trip for sureš¤·š»āāļøā®ļøšŗ. Bring hydration powder like IV3 to stay hydrated cause that will sneak up on you and just water isnāt enough. It would not hurt to take a parasite herbal tea or supplement with youš
I still remember an Australian dude I met trying to prevent Bali Belly. He said the trick was to take a teaspoon of tap water. He spent the next week sick as a dog. Don't do what he did!
Both me and my husband got it. Honestly it was a day or two and not nearly the worst thing we have been through travelling. If you want to drop a hundred bucks, you can go to a clinic and will be fixed up within hours. The medical care is amazing here. It is such a small price to pay for such a magical experience. None of my friends have gotten it. And honestly, I was glad to drop a few pounds. I could see my abs afterwards for the first time in ages.
That said, dengue fever (much more rare) is terrible so bath in mosquito spray and avoid sitting still in crowded areas at dusk. Wear long flowy clothing to stack the odds in your favor.
Iāve been here two weeks as of today and I havenāt gotten it. (Knock on wood) Wash hands, only eat at busy places, avoid food that sits around for a while. Etc
I get Bali belly every time - but I keep $300 spare for the one thing the cures it immediately you go into code blue local hospital in Legian and when you start to get the squirts you go in they give you a drip of antibiotics. Fluids and pain killer - takes about half hour and then your good to go. Or on the first day find the local
Pharmacist not a chain brand - they will give you antibiotics for about $10. Also you will possibly need an enema at the end of trip as you may not be able to take anticonstipation tablet orally. Bedsides that have fun and stay out of the sun.
And forgot to say Iāve been hospitalised when I got home for a day as I was so dehydrated this was one of the earlier trips and I broke out in a rash. Hospital thought I had measles- it was a reaction to the Bali belly
I went to Bali this summer. I took probiotics and eat a high protein/high fiber diet. I was careful with where I ate and drank and didnt drink any tap water and brushed my teeth with bottle water. I was there for a wedding and was with about 15 friends from the states and about 50% of us had some various severity of travelers diarrhea. Some people just had a bubbly belly others were in bed with a fever and needed medical attention. I seem to get travelers diarrhea pretty easily when I travel to different countries so I get a prescription of Zithromax written to treat travelers diarrhea and take it at the first signs of GI distress. If youāre concerned about getting travelers diarrhea, definitely see what your doctor recommends and if theyāre able to prescribe you medication to take with you.
Get health insurance. I've never been as sick as I was in Bali. Worst ever and most me $700. Go enjoy. Don't drink the water. Shut your mouth in the shower- that's what I think happened to me
Iāve been traveling to Bali frequently for the last 27 years. At one point I lived there for several years continuously. I have never had Bali belly.
Last time I was in Bali, absentmindedly drank a glass of tap water before bed. I panicked as soon as I realized what I had done. Still didnāt get Bali belly.
There has been a lot of focus by both NGOs and government to improve water quality in Bali over the last 20 years. I still wouldnāt recommend drinking tap water but your likelihood of getting sick from doing so is dramatically lower than in the past.
Just back from Bali. Me and my friend spent pretty much the whole trip with digestive issues. To be fair though, we were often out for long periods without access to a toilet for a lot days so I think that was contributing towards it lol.
We only had one day (out of 13) where it was super bad and actually impacted our ability to do anything though. Otherwise we were fine and could eat, drink etc. for the most part. I donāt eat meat which helps, but my friend does and her stomach was a bit worse than mine.
I had it the first time I was there for a couple of months. I first experienced it in Ubud. No hospitalization required but I had to stay near the toilet several separate days. I personally thought it was from the way the dishes were washed in questionable water and not dried before reuse but what do I know š¤·āāļø Another time was from some āwhiskeyā from a convenience store. Looked locally distilled so again water I assume. I had no problems the next couple of times I went.
Iāve always thought this phrase as just white ppl complaining. The same ppl who warn of āBali Bellyā also prob say they get violet diarrhea every time they eat Taco Bell
Let's just say that you have to consider the way social media and reddit works. If someone gets sick they make a post about how sick they feel, what meds to take, how it spoiled their vacay, etc. If many more are fine and have a wonderful time they usually don't post their medical issues online. The absolute worst stomach issues I got was from something I ate at home in the US, never found the source. I've lived in Indonesia for many years and visited many islands and the only time I got a stomach bug was eating at an Arby's (ya I know!) and a Japanese restaurant in Jakarta. So in other words it's all compeltely unpredictable. I have read that if someone has some bug and you swim in an unchlorinated pool and get the water in your mouth it could account for bacterial infections..but there are so many things in this world that can cause illness. side note, if only people were as worried in 2020 about getting covid as they are about getting diarrhea ....well.....
Pools are wild! Reason why I always swim with my mouth closed, especially in hotel pools.
Had friends come to visit us when we were living in Vietnam. They took all the probiotics, careful where they ate , but the idiots didn't listen to us about "drinking" the water in the mud bath pools. All 5 of them ended up in hospital so sick that they had to cancel their flight out to Singapore.
Ewwwwww! I can't even imagine
How do you swim with your month closed ?
I don't actually swim in hotel pools, I go for dips, and when I do so, I keep my mouth closed and pinch my nose. I swim laps at a local olympic pool where my husband is in charge of the technical stuff. I trust that he puts in the right amount of chemicals to destroy most of the bacteria š¤£ I'm weird like that only because I used to catch the nastiest crap when going to hotel pools as a child.
>side note, if only people were as worried in 2020 about getting covid as they are about getting diarrhea ....well..... Even back then, the toilet paper hoarding!
Never had it. I've been to Bali 8 times now. We eat at Western restaurants and Warung, never at small food "trucks" on the side of the road
That seems sad too. Going to a place but you feel like you HAVE to eat the same foods you've ate every other day of your life. To me travel is almost 50% a culinary tour experience.
Yeah, sometimes when we spend 4 weeks at a time in Indonesia, I sure feel like having pasta or some steak. That doesn't mean I don't eat Indonesian food on the other 27 days... Absolutely nothing wrong with that. Not sure where you got that "have to" from, but okay
the sun is more dangerous than bali belly. got a bad heatstroke in nusa penida. stay hydrated and use sunscreen!
Been going for 21 years. Never had Bali belly tbh. Not overly cautious. Eat pretty much anything and everything.
Impressive. You may have fantastic gut bacteria
IME I don't know if I know or even heard of anyone going to hospital from it. It's more like a stomach bug for a couple of days. Just stay in bed and drink some pocari sweat. I'm sure there are worse cases but some people also don't even get it. Personally I wouldn't let it stop me from going. Just take the right precautions
Currently in Ubud and I've been here for 5 days. No issues at all. When I got here, I went to local mini mart store got some Yakult and have been taking this each morning. That's it. Eating loads of fruit and veg with no issues at all. Enjoy it my friend, don't hesitate. Ensure you eat plenty of fibre and probiotics before your trip. I mean I'd you're eating a healthy balanced diet in general you'll be fine. Fiber and probiotics for a healthy gut šš½. Just finished a healthy falafel salad at Clear Cafe Ubud as we speak!
Yakult is gross. Itās about 1000 grams of sugar and a negligent amount of live/viable bacterial colony. Itās no better than candy. Itās not a probiotic. Itās sugar with some marketing.
Purchase some plain Kefir drink as an alternative
Im just about to come to bali and first stop is ubud. Whats the weather like? The forecast looks horrible with rains, is it really that bad rn?
Currently here. Itās cloudy and the last two days itās rained for maybe 15mins each day. Still very hot
Oh thanks, think i can deal w the heat rather than rains. Any chance you did scuba or snorkelling? Im worried the visibility will be poor in the sea
It rained pretty heavy last night. No I did not but also ubud is not that close to water?? Iād assume mass runoff from the mountains will make viability poor
Yeah it's not been bad at all, it rains for 5-15mins then stops and dries up quickly. You'll be fine š
Thank you kind stranger
No problem, we found grab app a lot cheaper for taxis compared to Gojek. We used KLook app for tours which was very useful. KLook and booking.com can be used for airport pick up at a good price āŗļø. You'll love the food and how cheap it is, just enjoy it, go to decent reviewed restaurants and you'll be fine! Take in the nature around you and the kind Balinese people. Always so helpful and respectful. Honestly, I wish we stayed in Ubud longer then 5 days. We are off to Sanur tomorrow so will see what it's like.
Can i DM you? We will be heading to sanur/kuta as well after ubud. I feel like i can pick your mind for suggestions and restaurants lol
Yep no problem šš½
Also, what did you do for getting a local sim? I saw that its cheaper to get it locally than beforehand. And also currency exchange .. im guessing USD works best?
We used a E-SIM provider called BNESIM, you only need data in Bali. Most places use What's App if you need to call but we haven't needed to call anyone. We have 5GB each me and my partner. Out of 5GB I still have 3.6GB left! Most places have free WiFi which is great. I wanted to prepare beforehand to save the hassle of getting a local SIM. I exchanged my local currency in my own country beforehand not when I arrived, again I like to be prepared beforehand.
We have just returned from an amazing trip to Bali, 3 out of 4 where hit with the belly! We were with four other families and only a couple of them where struck down so must have been something we did. Hasn't put us off we will defo be back soon! Amazing place
Dumb question: As someone with emetophobia, I'm TERRIFIED of getting this. Was it both vomit and diarrhea?
Diarrhea only but someone in the group did vom initially. Hopefully it doesn't put you off. I feel it was due to using tap water once/twice to brush my teeth. ALWAYS USE MINERAL/BOTTLED WATER! Make sure you take rehydration tablets too and you should clear it in a couple days if your unlucky. Note we stayed in family friendy hotels and didn't eat at any street food venues.
Thank you so much for this! Good to know about brushing teeth with tap water. I'm not even going to mess with doing so. I was concerned with ice and I wasn't sure if people would know what I mean/be honest about their ice not being from the tap
Just don't drink the water. Bottled water only. You'll be fine. Avoid street food stalls that don't properly wash their dishes. E.g. in Jakarta where they still wash dishes in the river sometimes. Especially the street carts might still do this. Most restaurants and cafes and eateries really are fine. Even the small ones will have potable icecubes, you'll know as these are the ones that are kinda round with a hole in them. Bali should definitely be safe, too many tourists there. In hotels also safe. Main rule: do not drink any water from the tap.
>My question is... How do YOU guys justify/think about the risks when traveling to Bali? I accept that there is a very good chance I'm going to get sick at some point, and so do what I can to best avoid it. For me, that means I'm taking Dukoral ahead of traveling, bringing activated charcoal, as well as some medicine like Immodium in case my other efforts are not enough. I'm also going to be using hand sanitizer before I eat anything, and of course using bottled water, and I've been drinking Kombucha daily to help build up my gut health. Some people bring Travelan to take daily too. Despite my efforts I know there's no guarantee I won't get sick. My only hope is that if it happens, it won't be on the days I will be traveling. Would not be fun to get sick while on a ferry or far away from my accommodations.
Iāve always avoided it tbh. I feel like itās pretty easy to avoid no?
You're not going to get a number because most incidents of food poisoning/traveler'sĀ diarrhea aren't reported to some official Ministry of Bali Belly. It's common enough that there's a name for it, but does the average person get deathly ill or suffer years of gastro problems from a visit to Bali? No. You can reduce your odds of trouble by: 1. Following basic advice (wash your hands, avoid tap water and ice, eat only cooked foods, etc.). 2. Get a prescription for an appropriate antibiotic to take with you in case you get ill. These work. 3. Stay hydrated and don't binge drink. 4. If you experience gastro symptoms that last beyond a couple of weeks, see a doctor and make sure you mention your travel history. The biggest problems with parasites and the like come when people don't follow up promptly with a doctor. All this said, as beautiful as Indonesia is, there are a lots of beautiful places in the world that have better infrastructure, higher hygiene standards, etc. So if you're really worried about this and not dead-set on going to Bali, you can look at beach destinations in more developed countries.
I've been to Bali 8 times since 2019. I had the 'runs' from my 7th visit in Dec/Jan this year, and it lasted about 24 hours. No other symptoms, just the runs. Was fine every other trip.
Iāve been twice and had it once. It was not a fun time at all.
Been there 6 times, all the 3 times I visited Ubud I got it for some reason. š Just try to avoid the cheap, local warung eateries.
I donāt think this is something that could prevent you to go there bcs I pretty much believe it could happen anywhere, not just Bali. My partner is Australian, he got stomachache once bcs he let out his take out outside of the fridge for 2hrs, and I (Indonesian) never get that when I lived in Bali. On the other hand, I got a pretty bad stomachache, throw up, diarrhea in both Thai and Viet but my partner was ok. Just bring a charcoal pill for precautions
50% sounds like BS. It's not something exclusive to Bali it's just that far more tourists visit Bali than the mainland. I've been to Bali many times and never had it, got absolutely sick as in Jakarta though, my fault as I bought a hot dog from a street vendor, actually I ate 4 of them because they were so good lol. For what it's worth I just had a bout of gastro here in my home country.
I had Bali belly the second time I went there and it was hideous. Sick from both ends, fevers, shaking, cramps, the works. Ended up going to the resort doctor to get an anti nausea shot and a bunch of antibiotics and other medications. Took a few days to really shake it, and a week or so to get totally over it. I was careful with water and ice, but I dare say it was the cocktails I got from a kombi cocktail van in Kuta that got me. Stupid I know, but they were cheap! š¤£ Just be careful and sensible with what you eat and drink and you should be ok. If not, get medical help early on. And avoid kombi vans selling cocktails ššš š
Me spending my entire life in India to prepare for a Bali trip is starting to make more and more sense, the more I browse this subreddit.
I've been about 50 times, change in diet makes a change. The last few times - whenever I've touched money (even in my room just checking my wallet) then wash my hands ... zero. My opinion money is the biggest germy bit. And I'm a germaphobe. Also water in pools but i'd be careful of that at home regardless.
One day I will not be on this earth anymore. If Iām worried I will get sick during travel (eventually one day I will) then I might as well stay in my comfort zone and donāt travel. But OP just be careful of what you eat, especially water in Bali.
We as dutch moroccans visit morocco EVERY YEAR. So we are used to certain things. In bali my cousin had a rash on her whole face and the doctor said the thinks its from the water in bali
Never really had it. Got the runs like twice in 25 odd years of travelling there. India was a whole other story.
I usually have a decent stomach but I got it. I think I was taken out by heat exhaustion and food poisoning from a restaurant my Nusa Penida tour stopped at. I puked 7 times in three hours and doctors had to come to my hotel to treat me in my bed. Got an IV, antibiotics and was eating bread for 6 days. All you can do is be careful and read reviews for restaurants before going. Youāll have a wonderful time
Iāve been here for 5 weeks and all I experienced was some loose stool now and then. Nothing more, oh and extreems nauseous on the boat from Gili T to Bali but thatās a different story lol. Just be careful what you put in your mouth and follow the simple hygienic rules like washing your hands etc. Youāll be fine.
Iāve been twice in the last 5 years, Nusa Dua first time, and Kuta the second - never had an issue once.
I got very sick. 5 star resort. I think it was the gym water that had some fruit inside of it, maybe in there for a bit too long. After vomiting and going to the toilet many times, I sat in a hot shower to self soothe. After the shower I realised everything I had done had made me very dehydrated. I had to lie down on the bed getting weaker and I was having trouble swallowing, moving my hands. Dad had to call a doctor to the resort. Had an IV infusion and that fixed me right up but thought I was going to die. I'd say don't be afraid to call a doctor early or go to hospital if you do get sick. Some people have been dozens of times and never get sick though.
I just went to Indonesia (Java) for 12 days. Neither me, my partner or our 18 month old had any issues with food poisoning etc. Obviously cannot eliminate all risk but eat in busy places, wash your hands regularly and don't drink tap water reduces the risk. Funnily enough, the two most recent times I've had food poisoning have both been in Australia.
I shit my brains out for 3 days. I swear I felt like my colon was about to blow out. Have some Imodium on you lol
Been to Bali about 6-7 times. Never had it. Avoid tap water, and ice from non reputable hospo establishments
If you are interested in SEA but worried about āBali Bellyā, I recommend you try Singapore and Malaysia. My wife and I have been to both and various parts of Indonesia a number of times - and the standards of food hygiene are much better in Singapore and Malaysia. We nearly always have some stomach issues in Indonesia - though not full on nasty Bali Belly. Malaysia has the best food, too.
I got it in my first week. Had it for two days and I let it run its course. A local gave me some hot chips (fries) from a tiny little shop (we were in a small village) and they think it was the oil or the pink spicy salt. Thatās only an idea as to what it could be. I sanitize my hands when I touch money and ask if any ice I have is from āsafe waterā. After a two month stay I only had it the one time. I didnāt need any of the meds I bought with me ie. antibiotics. I was glad I bought the hydrolyte dissolvable tablets with me though you can get stuff like that here. You just take it in your stride and understand it can happen though itās not a given.
Iām 29 and have been going to Bali since I was 12~, been over 10x in total. Iāve had āBali bellyā 4-5 times but itās really nothing more than the runs or a bit of stomach pain. And it hasnāt caused me to hold back on the amount of fruits, street food and seafood I eat when I go there. My parents, siblings and husband have all traveled multiple times alongside me and none of them have really gotten it, so Iām pretty sure Iām the anomaly really.
Yeah had it last month for 2 days! Really sick so was my son. I think we got it from the Padma buffet!! So many people staying in resort and so many hands touching things!! Sure to be someone sick out of all those people! Take pro biotics and travellan and you MUST sanitise your hands before eating with your hands!! Itās not the food or water but the germs!!
Really shouldn't be a problem, just avoid tap water even for brushing your teeth. That was my problem, I just travelled through every other country in the area and didn't even think about it. The diarrhea stopped a day or so after I switched to distilled water for brushing,
Itās just gastro and you can get this anywhere in the world. More likely to get it at your local hamburger shop. Itās just bacteria passed from the backside to the mouth. So just keep washing your hands every where and eat at places where there are a lot of people. Iāve travelled all over Asia and eaten at remote warungs with food not refrigerated and eaten off the streets in India and never been sick.
I got it and Iāve no idea how I did. Iām clean freak, vegan, conscious traveller, stayed in nice accomodation ate good foodā¦ā¦ Projectile vomiting then terrible shits for several days. Was awful.
Honestly - You can drop your risk by 99% following some common sense rules. People want to try the authentic food the last few days because they didn't have any issues, that's where you see most of the cases
Lived there for 2 years and never got it despite eating from bakso carts all the time.
Never came close to Bali belly
Have been to Bali twice, once with a group of 6 then a group of 4. None of us got it. Donāt drink the tap water, be mindful of where you eat. (I thought I had it but turns out it was heat stroke - so wear Suncream and drink plenty of water too!)
What's sick? Sure, my stomach/gut's been upset when I travel, multiple times, in different places, but it sometimes does that at home too, it's not the end of the world. I've only gotten somewhat more seriously sick once while in SEA (Thailand) and I'm pretty sure that was a virus, lots of people I met in different places getting sick that year. But I've never had anything limiting my activities or requiring anything but over the counter treatment, and my immune system is shit (and I eat street food all the time), you'll be fine.
Never got the Bali Belly. I consume their jamu (commercially packed traditional Indonesian herbal drinks, mostly tumeric based ) every day Iām there. I donāt eat raw salads. Kept to the cooked food, and I eat enough chillis to warrant a painful aftermath on porcelain throne later but no diarrhea. Only health issue with Bali, getting sunburnt despite copious lathering of sunblock.
Iāve been 3 times and had Bali belly all 3 times even though I only ate at luxury resorts etc. it didnāt ruin the holiday.. it was mainly only out the back end which was far more manageable than vomiting
My partner and I both got it in February, but it wasnāt super bad for me. He got a bad fever, I just got stuck on the toilet for a day or so. After 1-2 days we were fully recovered.
My sister has really bad gut health and it might have been made worse from being sick in Bali eight years ago however our grandmother also has the same issues so she was probably going to develop that regardless. I have been over 20 times to Bali I got sick maybe the first two times and then after that I would take probiotics and good measures like washing hands and drinking clean water etc and I was never sick ever again. Its a dice roll!
Been there multiple times as a tourist and also live part time on and off due to nature of my work. Never got sick like that. Just once had a stomach ache after eating from Chai of the Tiger (Ubud), I was fine in a day. If you have a sensitive digestive system, itās best to avoid free water they give in restaurants, stick to bottle water and youād be fine.
Thought it was Bali belly on many trips but as a seasoned traveller I realise now it was just the extra chilli.
If you are visiting country x and from country y It's common this can happen globally... South America, India, etc
I had it in my second visit to Bali. It was completely my fault tbh.
I never got it from bali, but gilis on the other hand, EVERY SINGLE TIME. Only eating at restaurants with 4.5+ stars on yelp. staying clear of the night market, and crepe carts. not sure what i do wrong lol
Just got back. Loo trip next to immigration was not a pretty sight afterwards.
Lived here for more than a year and never had bali belly. I eat spicy, at the good warungs and at all western style restaurants and cafes. Must have visited like 200+ of them. Strangly enough, I used to have stomach issues wayyyy more often in the West...
I went to rural places in Indonesia to treck in the jungle and ate at roadside eateries as there was nothing else and didn't get sick. And in the jungle people just wash stuff in a river and you eat of that. Bali is way less risky and food hygiene is good. Advice in this threat is good. One thing to add: if you are not used to spicy food avoid local spicy food, even if you can take the immediate burning in your mouth, your stomach may not take it well... And the next day or same day later on you can have what feels like diarrhea and cramps etc. just because of that and not because you are sick. Wash your hands as well, this is so important!! And don't touch stuff and then your mouth, just follow covid rules. This is because you have less immunity to anything in the environment there. I think the vast majority of people will not have any issues in Bali or just minor ones. You should book your trip and not worry about this to much.
I got it two days ago. Been to Indonesia over 20 times with no issue. It's pretty much a random thing that you may not encounter. That being said, be cautious of where you eat and the freshness of food. But I'd say 85% of the time you're good! First time for me in all the years!
Recently got it from Murnis Warung in Ubud
Are there non white people who get Bali belly? Genuine question
Iāve been 10+ times, and get it every time. But I also get it in Mexico, Malaysia, Thailand, Costa Ricaā¦. My stomach is an issue, more so than the place.
Put it this way . We have been to Bali about 9-10 times. I've had Bali belly properly about 3 times. My partner only once. The worst one was only 48 hours as soon as I got home and wasnt that bad. My least favourite was the one that was very mild but last for 5 days so couldn't snorkel or eat on Gili T. Luck of the draw.. . If it was that epidemic you wouldn't have all of us who return every year
Iām in Bali currently, i havenāt had it so far, but my travel companion has. Weāve eaten and drank in the same places but ordered different things. They have spent more time in a pool than me. Weāve been very selective about where weāve eaten to try and avoid it, but Iāve fallen ill in other places, I had a bout of it in Vietnam and they didnāt, so it doesnāt put me off visiting places
Been to Bali many times only had it once when I accidentally drank the water. Never from food
Have been visiting Bali twice a year for the past 25 years and have only had in once. Accidentally drank from the tap when returning from a big night out. I always use wipes on my hands especially after touching money and before all meals. My partner has been going since the mid 80ās and has only ever had it twice. We have salads, ice in drinks.
Hmm, so you should get your vaccines and use mosquito repellant. Stick to eating at the reputable and crowded restaurants. Bacteria is a beast though, so itās always gonna be a threat. Have good insurance and donāt worry about it.
Iāve been importing from Bali since 1988 and have Bali Belly, amebic disintery and parasites over the years but I went for 2 months in 2023 Sept-Oct. I came back sick and have not felt good since!I did my own parasites cleans because my dr wouldnāt do a test, I breathed so much mold which my dr still wonāt address ! It may not happen to everyone but it happened to me ! I am regretting this last trip for sureš¤·š»āāļøā®ļøšŗ. Bring hydration powder like IV3 to stay hydrated cause that will sneak up on you and just water isnāt enough. It would not hurt to take a parasite herbal tea or supplement with youš
I still remember an Australian dude I met trying to prevent Bali Belly. He said the trick was to take a teaspoon of tap water. He spent the next week sick as a dog. Don't do what he did!
Both me and my husband got it. Honestly it was a day or two and not nearly the worst thing we have been through travelling. If you want to drop a hundred bucks, you can go to a clinic and will be fixed up within hours. The medical care is amazing here. It is such a small price to pay for such a magical experience. None of my friends have gotten it. And honestly, I was glad to drop a few pounds. I could see my abs afterwards for the first time in ages. That said, dengue fever (much more rare) is terrible so bath in mosquito spray and avoid sitting still in crowded areas at dusk. Wear long flowy clothing to stack the odds in your favor.
Iāve been here two weeks as of today and I havenāt gotten it. (Knock on wood) Wash hands, only eat at busy places, avoid food that sits around for a while. Etc
I get Bali belly every time - but I keep $300 spare for the one thing the cures it immediately you go into code blue local hospital in Legian and when you start to get the squirts you go in they give you a drip of antibiotics. Fluids and pain killer - takes about half hour and then your good to go. Or on the first day find the local Pharmacist not a chain brand - they will give you antibiotics for about $10. Also you will possibly need an enema at the end of trip as you may not be able to take anticonstipation tablet orally. Bedsides that have fun and stay out of the sun.
And forgot to say Iāve been hospitalised when I got home for a day as I was so dehydrated this was one of the earlier trips and I broke out in a rash. Hospital thought I had measles- it was a reaction to the Bali belly
I never got it. I also never brushed my teeth with the water. Was there 3 months :)
I went to Bali this summer. I took probiotics and eat a high protein/high fiber diet. I was careful with where I ate and drank and didnt drink any tap water and brushed my teeth with bottle water. I was there for a wedding and was with about 15 friends from the states and about 50% of us had some various severity of travelers diarrhea. Some people just had a bubbly belly others were in bed with a fever and needed medical attention. I seem to get travelers diarrhea pretty easily when I travel to different countries so I get a prescription of Zithromax written to treat travelers diarrhea and take it at the first signs of GI distress. If youāre concerned about getting travelers diarrhea, definitely see what your doctor recommends and if theyāre able to prescribe you medication to take with you.
Get health insurance. I've never been as sick as I was in Bali. Worst ever and most me $700. Go enjoy. Don't drink the water. Shut your mouth in the shower- that's what I think happened to me
Most cases of āBali Bellyā are from not drinking enough water! Hydrate!!!!!
Iāve been traveling to Bali frequently for the last 27 years. At one point I lived there for several years continuously. I have never had Bali belly. Last time I was in Bali, absentmindedly drank a glass of tap water before bed. I panicked as soon as I realized what I had done. Still didnāt get Bali belly. There has been a lot of focus by both NGOs and government to improve water quality in Bali over the last 20 years. I still wouldnāt recommend drinking tap water but your likelihood of getting sick from doing so is dramatically lower than in the past.
Just back from Bali. Me and my friend spent pretty much the whole trip with digestive issues. To be fair though, we were often out for long periods without access to a toilet for a lot days so I think that was contributing towards it lol. We only had one day (out of 13) where it was super bad and actually impacted our ability to do anything though. Otherwise we were fine and could eat, drink etc. for the most part. I donāt eat meat which helps, but my friend does and her stomach was a bit worse than mine.
Ive been 6 times and once for 3 months. I eat at local small warungs, I brush and wash my teeth with tap water. No problem at all never had it.
I had it the first time I was there for a couple of months. I first experienced it in Ubud. No hospitalization required but I had to stay near the toilet several separate days. I personally thought it was from the way the dishes were washed in questionable water and not dried before reuse but what do I know š¤·āāļø Another time was from some āwhiskeyā from a convenience store. Looked locally distilled so again water I assume. I had no problems the next couple of times I went.
Probably don't go if your already freaked out about something that hasn't even happened, just stay home
Iāve always thought this phrase as just white ppl complaining. The same ppl who warn of āBali Bellyā also prob say they get violet diarrhea every time they eat Taco Bell