---
title: "Bali Belly: How to Avoid It, Treat It and When to Get Help"
description: "Bali belly is travellers’ diarrhoea. NHS, CDC, WHO and UK travel-health advice on street food, water, oralit, warning signs and finding care in Indonesia."
url: "https://travelshifu.com/guides/bali-belly-indonesia/"
category: "Trip Planning"
author: "Kaiser Khan"
date_published: "2026-10-16"
date_modified: "2026-10-16"
source: "TravelShifu"
---

# Bali Belly: How to Avoid It, Treat It and When to Get Help

Bali belly is travellers’ diarrhoea. NHS, CDC, WHO and UK travel-health advice on street food, water, oralit, warning signs and finding care in Indonesia.

## What is Bali belly?

“Bali belly” is the informal name visitors use for travellers’ diarrhoea in Bali and elsewhere in Indonesia. It is usually caused by food or water contaminated with germs, most often bacteria such as enterotoxigenic E. coli. Most cases are mild and clear up within a few days, but dehydration needs attention, and some symptoms need a doctor.

UK travel-health experts at [TravelHealthPro (NaTHNaC)](https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/factsheets/travellers-diarrhoea) define travellers’ diarrhoea as three or more unformed stools in 24 hours, often with fever, nausea, vomiting, cramps or bloody stools. Bacteria are the most common cause, most commonly enterotoxigenic E. coli, followed by Campylobacter, Shigella and Salmonella; viruses and parasites cause other cases, and in up to 40 percent of cases no cause is found. The [CDC Yellow Book](https://www.cdc.gov/yellow-book/hcp/preparing-international-travelers/travelers-diarrhea.html) gives the same leading causes and names norovirus as a notable viral cause.

The [World Health Organization](https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/diarrhoeal-disease) explains that diarrhoeal disease mostly results from contaminated food and water. TravelHealthPro says travellers’ diarrhoea typically starts in the first week of a trip and often lasts three to four days, and the CDC notes that untreated bacterial diarrhoea usually lasts three to seven days. The NHS’s general [diarrhoea and vomiting advice](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/diarrhoea-and-vomiting/) sets out home care and the warning signs covered below.

## Why do visitors get ill when locals seem fine?

It is not because Indonesian food is dirty. Travellers’ diarrhoea is the most common illness among travellers, and its germs are found worldwide. Health agencies link the risk mainly to the destination, where you eat, sanitation and water, while travel stress, a change of diet and extra alcohol can also upset digestion. Visitors meet all of these at once.

[TravelHealthPro](https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/factsheets/travellers-diarrhoea) says the germs that cause travellers’ diarrhoea are found worldwide, but transmission is more likely where food-hygiene standards, sanitation and access to clean water are limited, and that destination and choice of eating place are the most important risk factors. It classes most of Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America as higher-risk regions for visitors; that is a broad travel-health classification, not a judgement on any cuisine. The [CDC Yellow Book](https://www.cdc.gov/yellow-book/hcp/preparing-international-travelers/travelers-diarrhea.html) notes that restaurant food handling has been linked to diarrhoeal illness in high-income countries too.

Water is part of the picture. The [FCDO](https://gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/indonesia/health) says tap water is not safe to drink in Indonesia, and the [CDC](https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/travelers-diarrhea) advises avoiding ice because it may have been made from unclean water. TravelHealthPro adds that younger travellers and backpackers are affected most often, and that although travel stress, diet changes or more alcohol can change bowel habits, most episodes are caused by infection. The CDC also says one bout does not appear to protect you from another.

## Is street food safe in Indonesia?

Street food can be a safe and rewarding part of a trip if you choose carefully. UK travel-health guidance says to eat street food only when it is thoroughly cooked in front of you and served hot on clean crockery. In your first days, also avoid raw salads, fruit you have not peeled yourself and ice of unknown origin.

[TravelHealthPro’s food and water guidance](https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/factsheets/food-and-water-hygiene) lists good options: recently prepared, thoroughly cooked food served piping hot; fruit you peel yourself, such as bananas and oranges; and pasteurised dairy. It lists foods more prone to contamination: salads, uncooked fruit and vegetables, food left uncovered in warm places or exposed to flies (such as buffets), unpasteurised dairy, and raw or undercooked meat, fish or shellfish.

In practice, start with busy stalls where dishes such as soto, bakso, nasi goreng or mie goreng are cooked or heated to order, and drink from factory-sealed bottles, as the [CDC](https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/travelers-diarrhea) advises. TravelHealthPro says drinks made with boiled water and served steaming hot, such as tea and coffee, are usually safe. Use our [Indonesian food guide](/guides/indonesian-food-guide) to choose dishes, and in Bandung see [what to eat in Bandung](/guides/what-to-eat-in-bandung) and [foreigner-friendly restaurants](/guides/foreigner-friendly-restaurants-bandung).

None of this guarantees you will stay well. The [CDC Yellow Book](https://www.cdc.gov/yellow-book/hcp/preparing-international-travelers/travelers-diarrhea.html) says people who follow the traditional food rules can still become ill, so be ready to manage symptoms as well as trying to prevent them.

## How do you avoid Bali belly?

Wash your hands with soap before eating and after using the toilet, carry alcohol gel for when you cannot, drink sealed bottled or properly treated water, skip ice unless you know it is made from safe water, and choose freshly cooked, hot food. No method is fully protective, and there is no vaccine against travellers’ diarrhoea.

[TravelHealthPro](https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/factsheets/travellers-diarrhoea) says hands should be washed after visiting the toilet and always before preparing or eating food; alcohol gel helps, but is not entirely effective, when you cannot wash. The [CDC Yellow Book](https://www.cdc.gov/yellow-book/hcp/preparing-international-travelers/travelers-diarrhea.html) suggests hand sanitiser containing at least 60 percent alcohol when soap is not available. For water, the [FCDO](https://gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/indonesia/health) says Indonesian tap water is not safe to drink, and [TravelHealthPro’s hygiene guidance](https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/factsheets/food-and-water-hygiene) advises against using untreated tap water for brushing teeth where sanitation is poor, describing boiling as a reliable way to disinfect water.

On probiotics, the CDC Yellow Book says study results are inconclusive and the data are insufficient to recommend them. Preventive antibiotics are not recommended for most travellers, according to both the CDC and TravelHealthPro. There is no vaccine against travellers’ diarrhoea itself, but hepatitis A and typhoid also spread through contaminated food and water; [TravelHealthPro’s Indonesia page](https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/countries/indonesia) lists the vaccines to discuss with a travel clinic before you go.

## What should you do if you get Bali belly?

Rest and keep drinking. Health agencies put fluids first; oral rehydration salts (ORS), called oralit in Indonesia, replace the water and salts lost through diarrhoea. Get medical care promptly for blood or mucus in your stool, a fever of 38°C or more, signs of dehydration, or symptoms that are not improving after three days.

[TravelHealthPro](https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/factsheets/travellers-diarrhoea) advises staying hydrated by continuing to eat and drink as normal, and recommends a commercial oral rehydration solution for more severe symptoms or for groups at higher risk from dehydration. The [WHO](https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/diarrhoeal-disease) describes ORS as a mixture of clean water, salt and sugar. Indonesia’s Ministry of Health describes [oralit](https://keslan.kemkes.go.id/view_artikel/3623/penanganan-awal-pada-diare) as a solution that replaces the body’s fluids and electrolytes lost through diarrhoea, and says it should not be mixed with milk or sweet tea. Follow the packet instructions or ask a pharmacist (apoteker). The [NHS](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/diarrhoea-and-vomiting/) advises avoiding fruit juice and fizzy drinks.

For emergency symptoms, such as vomiting blood, severe difficulty breathing, confusion or a sudden severe headache or stomach ache, the NHS advises emergency care. In Indonesia, the [FCDO](https://gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/indonesia/health) gives 118 as the number to call for an ambulance. The list below, based on TravelHealthPro and NHS guidance, shows when to get medical help.

- Blood or mucus in your stool.
- A fever of 38°C or more.
- Severe abdominal pain, confusion, yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice) or a rash.
- Signs of dehydration, such as great thirst, sunken eyes, dark urine or passing less urine than usual, or being unable to keep fluids down.
- Symptoms that do not improve within three days (TravelHealthPro), or diarrhoea lasting more than seven days or vomiting for more than two days (NHS).
- Babies, young children, older travellers and others at higher risk from dehydration, including pregnant travellers and people with long-term illness: TravelHealthPro says to seek medical advice early if they cannot keep fluids down or show signs of dehydration.

## Which medicines help with travellers’ diarrhoea?

Speak to a pharmacist or doctor before taking anything. Anti-diarrhoeal medicines such as loperamide can ease symptoms in adults but are not suitable for everyone, including young children and anyone with blood in their stool or a high fever. Most cases do not need antibiotics, and in Indonesia antibiotics for diarrhoea must be prescribed by a doctor.

[TravelHealthPro](https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/factsheets/travellers-diarrhoea) says loperamide or bismuth subsalicylate may be considered for adults with mild to moderate diarrhoea, but should not be used by people with blood or mucus in the stool, a high fever, severe abdominal pain or active inflammatory bowel disease. It notes that in the UK loperamide is sold over the counter for adults and children over 12, and bismuth subsalicylate is for adults and children over 16. The [NHS](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/diarrhoea-and-vomiting/) says not to give anti-diarrhoea medicine to children under 12, and the [CDC Yellow Book](https://www.cdc.gov/yellow-book/hcp/preparing-international-travelers/travelers-diarrhea.html) says these medicines are not recommended on their own for bloody diarrhoea or diarrhoea with fever.

On antibiotics, the CDC does not recommend them for mild cases, and TravelHealthPro says prescribing standby antibiotics should be carefully considered because of side effects and antibiotic resistance. Indonesia’s Ministry of Health says antibiotics for diarrhoea should be given only when indicated and [must be prescribed by a doctor](https://keslan.kemkes.go.id/view_artikel/4105/mari-mengenal-obat-diare). Do not take antibiotics left over from another illness or prescribed for someone else.

If you are bringing your own medicines, the [FCDO](https://gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/indonesia/health) notes that the legal status of some medicines differs between countries, and [TravelHealthPro’s medicines guidance](https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/factsheets/medicines-and-travel) explains how to travel with them.

## How do you find a clinic in Bali, Jakarta or Bandung?

Contact your travel insurer’s assistance line early; the FCDO advises doing so quickly if you are referred for treatment. Your hotel can also point you to nearby clinics. The FCDO publishes a list of medical providers in Indonesia where some staff speak English, and gives 118 as the number for an ambulance.

We do not name individual clinics, because we cannot confirm their current services for you. Start with the official [FCDO list of medical facilities in Indonesia](https://gov.uk/government/publications/indonesia-list-of-medical-facilities-and-funeral-directors), then confirm opening hours, payment and services directly with the provider or through your insurer.

The [FCDO health advice](https://gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/indonesia/health) warns that the standard of local medical care can be poor, that some medical tests cannot be performed reliably, that good medical care can be expensive and that treatment may not be available in remote areas. For diarrhoea that needs attention, Indonesia’s Ministry of Health advises taking the patient to a doctor or the [nearest health centre](https://keslan.kemkes.go.id/view_artikel/3623/penanganan-awal-pada-diare); public community health centres are known as puskesmas.

Before you need help, save your policy number and your insurer’s emergency number on your phone and on paper, and keep your hotel address written in Indonesian. Staying in [Bali](/destinations/bali), [Jakarta](/destinations/jakarta) or [Bandung](/destinations/bandung)? Ask reception which clinic they direct guests to when you check in.

## Does travel insurance cover Bali belly?

It may, if your policy includes emergency medical treatment abroad, but check before you travel. The FCDO advises having adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds for medical treatment and repatriation, and warns that medical evacuation can cost tens of thousands of pounds. Read the exclusions, excess and claims process before you buy.

Check the policy wording for outpatient and clinic visits as well as hospital stays, medicines prescribed abroad, a 24-hour assistance line, whether you must call before treatment, repatriation and evacuation, and exclusions linked to alcohol. The [FCDO](https://gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/indonesia/health) says checking cover is particularly important if you have a health condition or are pregnant.

Keep receipts and medical reports for any claim. When comparing policies, read the full wording rather than a summary: a policy with a high excess or narrow medical cover may not help much with a short clinic visit. See the [Indonesia trip planner](/guides/indonesia-travel-planning) for the rest of your preparation.

## What other food and drink risks should you know about in Indonesia?

The most serious is methanol poisoning from contaminated spirits. The FCDO reports deaths and serious illness in Indonesia, including from drinks bought in licensed bars, shops and hotels in tourist areas. Methanol cannot be detected by taste or smell, so choose sealed, branded drinks and seek urgent medical help if warning signs appear.

The [FCDO’s Indonesia safety advice](https://gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/indonesia/safety-and-security) says criminal gangs make counterfeit versions of well-known alcohol brands and that even small amounts of methanol can kill. The UK government’s [Travel Aware advice](https://travelaware.campaign.gov.uk/spiking-and-methanol-poisoning/) suggests avoiding free cocktails or shots, unlabelled bottles and unusually cheap spirits; taking care with spirit-based drinks, cocktails, buckets and jugs; choosing branded beer, cider, wine and premixed drinks in sealed bottles and cans; and buying only from licensed places. Early signs can look like a bad hangover: vomiting, poor judgement, loss of balance and drowsiness. Later signs, 12 to 48 hours after drinking, include abdominal pain, breathlessness and blurred vision or blindness.

The FCDO also reports drink spiking in Bali, Lombok and the Gili Islands, and advises watching your drinks being prepared and never leaving them unattended. Hepatitis A and typhoid also spread through contaminated food and water; [TravelHealthPro’s Indonesia page](https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/countries/indonesia) covers the vaccines for them, plus non-food risks such as rabies and dengue to discuss with a travel clinic.

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