If you’ve spent time in Southeast Asia—or are planning a move to Bali—there’s a phrase you’ll likely hear early on: Bali Belly. It’s the not-so-glamorous nickname for the stomach bug that has disrupted many otherwise beautiful days in paradise.
As reported by Social Expat (2024), Bali Belly affects a large number of short- and long-term visitors. While usually mild, it can catch newcomers off guard and, if not handled properly, ruin an otherwise productive or relaxing stay.
So whether you’re relocating for work, investing in property, or settling into a long-term lifestyle in Bali, here’s what you need to know about preventing, recognizing, and recovering from Bali Belly.
What Is Bali Belly?
“Bali Belly” is a casual term for traveler’s diarrhea—a stomach illness caused by ingesting unfamiliar bacteria, viruses, or parasites. In most cases, it results from consuming contaminated food or water. Even seasoned expats can fall victim when their gut meets something it’s not used to.
Common symptoms include:
- Diarrhea
- Stomach cramps or bloating
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- Mild dehydration
Symptoms usually appear within 24–48 hours of eating or drinking something problematic and typically resolve within 1–3 days if managed properly.
How Do You Get It?
Contaminated water or poorly handled food is the most common cause. Even something as simple as rinsing fruit in tap water or consuming ice from an unfiltered source can lead to Bali Belly. According to Social Expat, undercooked meat, unrefrigerated sauces, and buffets are also known culprits (Social Expat, 2024).
Other risks include:
- Raw vegetables not properly washed
- Street food with questionable hygiene
- Reused cooking oil
- Poor hand hygiene (yours or the food handler’s)
While Bali’s culinary scene is vibrant and diverse, not all food establishments follow international food safety standards.
Prevention Tips for Expats and Long-Stayers
If you’re planning to live in Bali or Jakarta long term, your body may eventually adapt—but prevention is still key:
- Drink only bottled or filtered water (even when brushing your teeth)
- Avoid ice unless you’re sure it’s made from filtered water
- Eat at restaurants known for proper hygiene—look for busy places with high turnover
- Wash fruits and veggies with filtered water
- Carry hand sanitizer for moments when soap and water aren’t available
- Be cautious with spicy or oily foods early in your stay
Many expats also keep a travel medical kit stocked with rehydration salts, probiotics, and charcoal tablets just in case.
What To Do If You Get It
If you experience symptoms of Bali Belly:
- Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate
Drink plenty of clean water, coconut water, or oral rehydration salts to avoid dehydration. - Rest and avoid rich food
Stick to bland foods like bananas, toast, rice, and broth-based soup. - Avoid alcohol and coffee
These can irritate the gut further. - Take over-the-counter medication
Such as loperamide for diarrhea or activated charcoal (after consulting a local pharmacy or doctor). - Seek medical help
If symptoms persist beyond 48 hours, or if you develop high fever, blood in stool, or severe dehydration.
Bali and Jakarta both have international-standard clinics and hospitals with English-speaking staff. Many expats opt to register with a local clinic shortly after arriving—just in case.
More Than a Travel Bug—It’s a Lifestyle Adjustment
For many, Bali Belly is a one-time inconvenience. But it also serves as a reminder: adjusting to life in a new country takes awareness, not just adventure. Whether it’s new food, new water, or a new daily rhythm, relocation isn’t just physical—it’s biological too.
At Noble Properties Asia, we support expats through every aspect of settling in. From helping you find the right home with clean water systems, to offering insights on safe areas to eat, shop, and live—we’re here for the real-life details, not just the brochure version.
Relocating to Bali or Jakarta? Let us help you settle in with clarity and comfort.
Explore homes and lifestyle support built around the needs of global citizens at noblepropertiesasia.com
Source:
Social Expat. (2024, April 12). Symptoms of Bali Belly: What Every Traveller Should Know. Retrieved from https://www.socialexpat.net/symptoms-of-bali-belly-what-every-traveller-should-know/
