Bali Belly: What It Is, My Experience & Recovery

Published · 26 June 2026

Sunrise over palm-lined rice terraces in Bali, with a volcano in the distance

Introduction

Before travelling to Bali, I'd heard plenty of stories about Bali Belly, but I never expected to experience it myself.

Bali Belly is the common name for traveller's diarrhoea that affects some visitors to Bali. It's usually caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites found in contaminated food or water.

In most cases, symptoms last between one and three days and improve with rest, proper hydration, and the right treatment. However, if your symptoms last longer than three days, become severe, or you struggle to stay hydrated, it is important to seek medical attention.

How I Experienced Bali Belly

In my case, the symptoms didn't appear as soon as I arrived in Bali. They started around ten days into my trip, shortly after I began ordering green salads as a side with my meals.

At first, the symptoms were mild, but by the third day they had become much worse. I visited a local pharmacy, where I bought activated charcoal tablets. They helped me recover, and from that day on, I completely stopped eating raw salads. I stayed in Bali for almost two months after that and didn't experience Bali Belly again.

Can You Prevent Bali Belly?

While there's no way to completely prevent Bali Belly, taking probiotics before and during your trip, washing your hands regularly, drinking bottled water (including when brushing your teeth), and being mindful of food and water can help reduce the risk.

These simple precautions won't guarantee that you won't get Bali Belly, but they can help lower your chances.

That said, every traveller is different, so even if you do everything "right", there's still a chance you could experience it.

✦ Before you go

Just because someone had a bad experience with ice, salads, or any other food in Bali doesn't mean the same thing will happen to you. Everybody reacts differently, and that's always worth remembering.

As a pharmacist, I always keep that in mind whenever I travel outside Europe. During the first few days, I pay a little more attention to what I eat so I can understand how my body reacts before trying everything. It's a simple habit that's helped me on many trips, and one I'd recommend if you're visiting Bali for the first time.

Bali Belly: What It Is, My Experience & Recovery

Table of Contents

Introduction

How I Experienced Bali Belly

Can You Prevent Bali Belly?

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