You are looking forward to your holiday in Bali: the warmth, the food and that first morning by the pool. Stomach problems are certainly not on the itinerary. Yet many travellers have heard of Bali belly. What exactly does it mean? And what can you do to reduce your chances of getting it?
Preventing Bali belly: my experience and tips for your holiday in Bali
Bali has been a second home to me for many years. I visit regularly and enjoy the island, the people and, of course, the delicious food. Yet I too have experienced something you would rather not bring home from your holiday: Bali belly.
Fortunately, it has not happened to me often. But I still remember that one time very well. That is why I would like to share my experience and a few practical tips. After all, it is a shame to miss days of your holiday because you are ill.
My experience: an ice cream in a luxury restaurant in Sanur
During a stay in Sanur, I had freshly made ice cream in a luxury restaurant. Everything looked beautiful, and I thought: surely it will be fine here.
Afterwards, I developed severe stomach and intestinal problems. I suspected the ice cream was to blame. Whether that was actually the cause, I do not know for certain, but it was a lesson I will not forget in a hurry.
It happened just before we were due to fly back to the Netherlands. I felt awful at the airport, and the flight home was certainly no fun. Sitting on a plane with stomach problems is really not how you want to end your holiday.
Since then, I personally prefer to avoid freshly made scooped ice cream in Bali. After all, a luxurious appearance does not tell you everything about how food is prepared and kept cold.
Fancy an ice cream? Magnums and other packaged ice creams are also available in Bali. Just as delicious, as far as I am concerned! Do choose an ice cream that is properly frozen and has intact packaging. Packaged ice cream also needs to be kept properly frozen.
What exactly is Bali belly?
Bali belly is the informal name for stomach and intestinal problems that travellers may develop during their stay in Bali. Symptoms include diarrhoea, stomach cramps, nausea and sometimes vomiting or fever.
It is not a distinct disease. The symptoms can, for example, be caused by contaminated food or water. And although we call it Bali belly, you can of course get travellers’ diarrhoea at other destinations too.
You can never eliminate the possibility entirely, but a few sensible habits can help reduce the risks.
That satay by the roadside? I prefer to keep walking
Perhaps you recognise the scene: a roadside stall where satay is being grilled. It smells delicious, and the temptation to order something is strong.
My personal advice is still to keep walking if you cannot assess how the food is being handled. I personally do not eat at roadside stalls in Bali.
That does not mean every stall will make you ill. But it is often difficult to see how ingredients are stored, what water is used and how kitchen utensils are cleaned.
Instead, choose somewhere where food is freshly prepared and served piping hot. These days, I remain careful even in a lovely restaurant. My experience in Sanur certainly taught me that.
Drink safe water, even when brushing your teeth
Use safe drinking water in Bali: from a sealed bottle or a reliable drinking-water dispenser.
My advice is to use it when brushing your teeth too. For example, put a glass of drinking water by the washbasin. That way, you can rinse your toothbrush and your mouth without using tap water.
Also pay attention to the ice cubes in your drink. They must be made from safe drinking water. Not sure? Ask, or order your drink without ice.
Handen wassen: eenvoudig, maar belangrijk
Your daily routine changes when you are on holiday. You are out and about, visiting temples, paying in shops and touching all sorts of things. That is precisely when it is good to pay attention to your hand hygiene.
Wash your hands with soap and water after every visit to the toilet and before eating. Hand sanitiser is useful when you are out and about and there is no washbasin available, but it does not always replace thorough handwashing.
A small habit that takes hardly any time out of your holiday.
Enjoying good food at Villa Bima Sena
At Villa Bima Sena, Ayu and Sepi are happy to prepare fresh meals for our guests. This means you do not have to look for a restaurant every day. For me, sitting down to a lovely meal on your own terrace is part of enjoying Bali.
Would you prefer less spicy food, do you have an allergy or are there any other dietary requirements? Discuss these with them beforehand so they can see what is possible.
Is your stomach feeling a little unsettled? Let them know that too. They can then discuss something simple and light for you to eat.
Bali belly despite your precautions? Rest and keep drinking
If you develop diarrhoea or start vomiting despite taking all the precautions, rest and try to take regular small sips of safe drinking water.
Oral rehydration salts, or ORS, are a mixture of salts and glucose that helps replace the fluids and salts you lose. In Bali, you can ask for Oralit at the pharmacy. Mix it with safe drinking water and follow the instructions on the packet. Packing a few sachets in your travel first-aid kit is useful.
Eat when you feel ready again and choose something you can tolerate. You do not need to force yourself to eat a large meal.
In Bali, many people swear by Tolak Angin, the herbal remedy in the yellow sachets. It contains ingredients including ginger, mint and honey and is used to relieve nausea, bloating and mild stomach discomfort.
Its blue counterpart, Tolak Angin Flu, is intended to relieve cold symptoms such as a blocked or runny nose, headaches and muscle aches. The blue version may cause drowsiness. Available at Indomaret, among other shops.
You can also get Diapet at the local pharmacy. This herbal remedy is used to reduce the frequency of bowel movements when you have diarrhoea. Ask the pharmacist which remedy is suitable for you and follow the instructions on the packaging. Diapet and Tolak Angin do not replace ORS and do not treat every underlying cause of stomach and intestinal problems.
Seek medical help if you cannot keep fluids down, have blood in your stools, develop a high fever or severe abdominal pain, or show signs of dehydration.
If in doubt, call a doctor
You are in Bali, with a different climate and different healthcare facilities from those at home. Diarrhoea, vomiting and the heat can cause you to lose a lot of fluid. So do not keep trying to manage on your own for too long if you feel really ill.
If in doubt, contact a doctor. Be sure to do so if you can barely keep fluids down, are passing little urine, feel dizzy, have blood in your stools or experience a high fever or severe abdominal pain.
For young children, older people, pregnant travellers and people with underlying health vulnerabilities, it is advisable to call straight away.
During your stay at Villa Bima Sena, our manager can help you contact a doctor or clinic. Sometimes a doctor can come to the villa; otherwise, the manager can help arrange a visit. If your symptoms are severe, do not wait for a house call.
A doctor can assess your symptoms and determine what treatment is needed. This often brings peace of mind too: you do not have to work everything out yourself.
Enjoy Bali, with a little extra care
My experience with Bali belly has certainly not changed my love for Bali. I still enjoy Balinese cuisine and am always happy to return. I simply make slightly more conscious choices now.
For me, that means safe drinking water, washing my hands, paying close attention to where I eat and choosing a packaged ice cream over freshly scooped ice cream when I do not know how it has been prepared.
You do not need to spend your holiday worrying. A little extra care is enough to make sensible choices. And if you do feel ill? Let someone know and ask for help in good time.
Your holiday days are too precious to spend unnecessarily ill. I would much rather spend mine with my feet in the sand, a cup of coffee on the terrace and a view of the sea.
Does Coca-Cola help with Bali belly?
I have one more confession to make: during my stay in Bali, I drink a glass of Coca-Cola every day. In my mind, it helps counter anything I might have eaten that I should not have. Does it actually do anything? I do not count on it. It is mainly my personal holiday ritual. 😊
