The most common question I get from readers is how to avoid Bali belly on their family holidays to Bali. There is nothing worse than spending your holidays stuck in the bathroom, and it’s even worse when little kids get it! Over the years, I’ve learned some practical tips to help keep your family healthy and enjoying every moment of your trip. From choosing the right water and food to smart hygiene habits, here’s everything you need to know to avoid Bali belly and keep your holiday stress-free.

The following information is what I have collected over the years of travelling to Bali and is not medical information. Seek professional advice from a doctor if you need further information.

What is Bali Belly?

Bali Belly is the term used to describe diarrhoea and/or vomiting caused by consuming contaminated food or water. It’s often the result of poor food-handling practices or drinking untreated water, which allows harmful bacteria to spread.

The main types of bugs that can cause Bali Belly include:

Bacteria Most commonly E. coli

Viruses Rotavirus and norovirus can sometimes be present

Parasites Giardia is the most common

Tips to prevent Bali Belly

There are many ways travellers try to prevent Bali Belly. Some people do none of these tips and come through completely fine, while others are super careful and still end up with it!

I’ve travelled to Bali over 10 times and have only had Bali Belly a couple of times. Luckily, the kids and Jed have never caught it, but we’ve certainly experienced gastro back home in Australia more than a few times!

Hand Hygiene

Washing hands and using hand sanitiser is a must if you want to avoid any bugs that can make you sick—this isn’t just for Bali, it’s essential in Australia too! Make sure everyone in the family practices good hand hygiene: before eating, after going to the toilet, after coughing or sneezing, and basically anytime hands have been in contact with germs.

Hand hygiene also matters for the people preparing your food. Restaurants and street vendors that follow good hygiene practices and use filtered water when preparing meals significantly reduce the risk of Bali Belly.

Don’t drink the tap water

It’s best to drink filtered water while in Bali. To reduce plastic waste, bring a reusable water bottle and refill it wherever you can. Many villas and some hotels provide filtered water dispensers for guests. Even when brushing teeth, it’s safer to use filtered water rather than tap water. A helpful trick we use with the kids is to cover the taps with a towel so they don’t accidentally turn them on.

In general, ice used in drinks at reputable establishments is fine. I’ve had plenty of drinks with ice and never had an issue. Those circular ice cubes with a hole in the middle are made from filtered water. If you’re ever unsure, it’s easy to ask for your drink without ice.

Be mindful of the food you eat

When picking what to eat in Bali, make sure it’s hot and cooked thoroughly. Avoid food that has been sitting around at lukewarm temperatures all day. Buffets can be okay, but it’s best to choose those with high turnover, as they tend to have lots of customers.

We still enjoy salads and fresh vegetables in Bali, but only at places that follow good hand hygiene practices. Street stalls that cook food fresh in front of you are another great, budget-friendly option. If you’re concerned about hygiene, it’s safest to steer clear of street food vendors and salads.

Use products to avoid contracting Bali Belly

There are a few simple things we do to try and avoid the dreaded Bali Belly while travelling:

• Probiotics We focus on gut health in our house, so we take probiotics regularly. We also recommend this for families travelling to Bali. Keeping your gut healthy can help your body handle new foods and water while on holiday, and may reduce the risk of Bali Belly. I buy my probiotics from Amazon.
• Travelan On our Bali trips, we’ve used Travelan and no one in the family caught Bali Belly! You take a tablet before each meal, and I love that it’s listed on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods as a medicine. A quick note: children under 6 years old should only use this under medical advice, so always check with your doctor before giving it to little ones.
• Remember that a change in diet can often give you unwanted symptoms like diarrhoea and an upset tummy.

If you get Bali Belly what can you do?

So you have managed to contract the dreaded Bali belly, what can you do now?

• Call a hotel doctor or Dr Ari WhatsApp +62 812-3954-567
• Activated Charcoal can be a great way to remove toxins and is readily available in Bali at Apotek (pharmacies). Look for Norit in a yellow container. You can also buy it on Amazon and we regularly use it at home for gut health.
• Travelan can lessen the symptoms once you have contracted it.
• Keep hydrated with filtered water and an electrolyte like Hydralyte is great to travel with.
• Coconut water is excellent, and avoid caffeine and alcohol while you are sick.

We all try our best to avoid getting Bali Belly, but stressing about it won’t change whether you catch it. Do your best with hand hygiene, food choices, and gut health and then enjoy your next family holiday in Bali!

Feel free to join our Facebook group as there are lots of tips from other families that travel to Bali with their kids.

Kate xx

Disclaimer: “This post is written in collaboration with Travelan”

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