Poor hygiene Like many other illnesses, the bacteria that can cause Bali Belly can be passed from person to person. Poor hygiene is a sure way to increase your risk of contracting a stomach bug and can be avoided by: Always washing your hands with sanitiser before eating. Avoiding touching your face with unclean hands.
Bali belly – or travellers diarrhoea – is in fact very common, with Dr Rees saying between a third and half of travellers will experience it. Travel insurance company Cover-More had its medical team help 1174 Aussies who contracted gastroenteritis/Bali belly in 2022 – with 112 of the cases in Bali.
In short: it lays you out and makes you feel like the end might just be near. Thankfully, the episodes of acute diarrhoea/vomiting are usually mild and self-limited, meaning the body will recover on its own. Below we outline the causes, symptoms, and how to manage Bali Belly if it hits while you're on vacation.
Bali is one of the most fantastic islands in the world. Once you leave the crowded south, you'll discover why Bali is so beautiful. Over-tourism has meant that the natural landscape (in parts) has been destroyed. Especially in south Bali where you're more likely to see resorts than rice fields.
The best time to visit Bali is between April and October, the island's dry season. Although the weather is ideal for travellers, the island is also subject to soupy, humid days throughout the year.
Avoid alcohol, spicy food, and dairy
Consumption of dairy should also be limited as these foods can make the condition to get worse.
Common medicines travellers use to treat Bali Belly
Electrolyte drinks and powders, like Hydralyte, Gatorade, Pocari Sweat and Lucozade. Gastro symptom reliefs medications like Imodium, Diapet and Gastro-Stop.
Yakult is quite potent helps reduce the symptoms of Bali Belly and prevents you from getting it. Yakult contains good bacteria that help kill other bacteria. If Yakult alone is not enough, you can pick up any prebiotic drink similar to Yakult to cure the symptoms of Bali Belly.
No. 4: Which red cordial for Bali Belly? The cordial MUST include natural raspberry juice in the ingredients. If you want to try this for yourself, the best option is Cascade red cordial as it has the highest percentage of raspberry, 25%.
The vaccine is also best protection for children as well. There is strong evidence Cholera vaccine also protects E coli bacteria infection which commonly causes traveller's Diarrhea (TD) commonly known as Bali Belly, Delhi Belly Vaccine is beneficial for traveller to protect against TD. Courtesy of CDC.
Bali Belly can last up to 5 days so it is vital to stay hydrated to aid your recovery. Eating the right food will also help with rehydration and ease the symptoms of Bali Belly. For the first day or two, eat when you feel hungry and stick to a bland diet.
Taking probiotics, which are live bacteria and yeasts that are good for your gut health, can help prevent Bali belly. They can be found in supplement form or in certain foods such as yogurt. Taking probiotics can help prevent and treat Bali belly by restoring the balance of good bacteria in your gut.
For the 'cooler' term in travelers' vocabulary, they call it “Bali Belly” as an alias to “traveler's diarrhea” or “gastro bug”. This potential vacation spoiler caused mostly by spiciness contained in Indonesian foods.
More often than not, either you or someone in your group is likely to come down with Bali Belly at some stage throughout your trip. There are many types of bacteria that can cause Bali Belly, more formally known as gastroenteritis. The most common causes are poor food and water hygiene.
In summary, it's important to be cautious of what you eat in Bali to avoid foodborne illnesses. Avoiding certain foods, such as raw or undercooked meat, questionable seafood, and street food that is not properly handled or cooked, can go a long way toward keeping you safe and healthy during your travels.
Sip on a ginger and turmeric tea with honey and coconut oil. Peppermint and ginger will stop the nausea. Take charcoal tablets, stay hydrated and avoid alcohol and spicy foods. If oral rehydration is not staying down, or it is but the dehydration signs are still there, intravenous (IV) rehydration is a solid option.
While sweet drinks might taste good, they're more likely to upset your stomach if you have a history of digestive problems. Your fruity rum cocktail, dessert wine, and hard cider all contain sugars that can upset the digestive system, according to registered dietitian Stephanie Clairmont.
Anti-diarrhoea medications like activated charcoal tablets will help you to get over Bali Belly faster. You can get it in your home country or in Bali at the pharmacy and supermarkets where you mostly find it under the name „Norit“. Imodium stops diarrhoea.
Bali accommodation
The cheapest times for accommodation in Bali coincide with the wet season, October through to March. During this time, tourism numbers are lower so hotels in Bali are cheaper due to a lack of demand and act as a draw to bring more people in.
Most travelers will agree that 10 days is the perfect amount of time to spend in Bali. However, 5 days is the bare minimum if you want to explore more than one area of the island.
When to Visit Bali to Avoid Crowds. October, January, and February are Bali's true off-season. All three months can be rainy (January sees the most rainfall), which means you won't find crowds in search of perfect beach weather and diving conditions.
Daytime temperatures usually reach 29°C in Denpasar, Bali in August with high heat and humidity, falling to 22°C at night.