# How to Avoid Bali Belly: Is Bali Tap Water Safe and What Should You Eat? > Don't drink Bali's tap water: use sealed bottled, boiled or filtered refill water, eat food cooked hot, and pack oral rehydration salts. When to see a doctor. - Source: https://clevertourists.com/resources/bali-belly-how-to-avoid-food-water-safety-guide - Authors: Evan & Clara, Clever Tourists (first-hand, from a 526-day trip across 20 countries) - Published: 2026-10-10 No, you should not drink Bali's tap water: stick to sealed bottled water, boiled water or filtered refill water, and eat food that is cooked and served hot. "Bali belly" is simply travelers' diarrhea, most often caused by bacteria picked up from contaminated food or water. Careful habits cut the risk but don't remove it, so it also pays to know what to pack and when a stomach bug needs a doctor. This guide is practical travel advice, not medical advice; see a travel health clinic before you go. ## What causes Bali belly? According to the CDC, **bacteria are the most common cause of travelers' diarrhea**, led by diarrhea-causing strains of *E. coli*, followed by *Campylobacter*, *Shigella* and *Salmonella*. Viruses such as norovirus cause fewer cases (often with more vomiting), and parasites such as *Giardia* are less common but can cause illness that lingers for weeks. The CDC is also frank that the old rule "boil it, cook it, peel it, or forget it" helps but doesn't guarantee anything: travelers who follow it can still get sick, and poor kitchen hygiene is a major factor. Untreated bacterial diarrhea usually lasts **3 to 7 days**, and viral diarrhea **2 to 3 days**. ## Can you drink tap water in Bali? No. Bali's tap water isn't treated to drinking-water standards, and locals generally drink bottled, filtered or boiled water themselves. The CDC's guidance is to drink only beverages that are **sealed, boiled, chlorine-treated or otherwise known to be purified**. Check that bottle caps are sealed, and use bottled or filtered water to brush your teeth if you want to be cautious. Ice and fresh juices are only as safe as the water they're made from. Established cafés and restaurants in tourist areas typically buy commercially made ice, but if you can't tell where the ice or the juice water came from, skip it. To cut down on plastic, use refill stations: the **RefillMyBottle** app and map (it started in Bali as RefillBali) lists hundreds of cafés, shops and hotels that refill bottles with filtered water for free or a small fee. Many guesthouses and villas also keep a large refillable drinking-water dispenser for guests. Avoid swallowing water when swimming in rivers or pools as well. ## Street food and warungs: how to eat safely You don't need to avoid warungs (small local eateries); you need to choose them well. Favor busy places with high turnover, food that's cooked to order and served **steaming hot**, and fruit you peel yourself. Be more cautious with buffet trays that have sat out, raw salads washed in tap water, and undercooked seafood or meat. Wash your hands with soap before eating, and carry hand sanitizer with **at least 60% alcohol** for when there's no sink, as the CDC recommends. ## What to pack for Bali belly **Oral rehydration salts (ORS).** The CDC calls replacing lost fluids the key to treatment. ORS packets are mixed with boiled or treated water; sugary soft drinks can make diarrhea worse. They're light, cheap and worth having before you need them. **Loperamide (Imodium)** reduces how often you need to go, which helps on travel days, but the CDC advises **not** using it on its own if you have bloody diarrhea or a fever. **Bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol)** can also help, but it isn't recommended for children under 3, pregnant women, or people allergic to aspirin or on blood thinners, and it can turn your tongue and stool black. Some doctors prescribe a standby antibiotic for travelers to take if symptoms become severe. That's a decision for your own doctor before the trip, not something to improvise. While you're there, ask about vaccines: the CDC recommends **hepatitis A** for unvaccinated travelers to Indonesia aged one and over, and **typhoid** for most travelers. Our [vaccines and health prep guide](https://clevertourists.com/resources/vaccines-and-health-prep-for-international-travel) covers how far ahead to book that appointment. ## When to see a doctor, and why travel insurance matters CDC guidance says to see a doctor if you have **bloody diarrhea**, diarrhea lasting **more than 3 days**, a **fever above 102°F (38.9°C)**, vomiting so often you can't keep liquids down, or signs of dehydration such as passing very little urine, a very dry mouth or dizziness when standing up. A child who seems dehydrated, has a fever or has bloody stools needs medical attention straight away. Bali has international-standard clinics and hospitals, but treatment, and especially an IV drip or hospital stay, is billed to you. Check that your policy covers medical treatment abroad before you fly; our [travel insurance guide](https://clevertourists.com/resources/travel-insurance-for-international-trips) explains what to look for. For the rest of your trip, see our [Ubud guide](https://clevertourists.com/guides/ubud), the [10-day Bali itinerary](https://clevertourists.com/guides/10-day-bali-itinerary) and our [Bali airport arrival guide](https://clevertourists.com/resources/bali-airport-arrival-guide-customs-evoa-and-taxis). ## Frequently asked questions ### Can you drink the tap water in Bali? No. Drink sealed bottled water, boiled water or filtered refill water, and be cautious with ice and juices whose water source you can't confirm. ### What causes Bali belly? It's travelers' diarrhea, most often caused by bacteria such as E. coli from contaminated food or water. Viruses and parasites cause fewer cases. ### How long does Bali belly last? Untreated bacterial travelers' diarrhea usually lasts 3 to 7 days and viral cases 2 to 3 days, according to the CDC. See a doctor if it lasts more than 3 days or you have warning signs. ### Is it safe to eat at warungs in Bali? Generally yes if you choose busy places with high turnover and food cooked to order and served hot. Be more cautious with buffet trays that have sat out and raw salads. ### When should I see a doctor for Bali belly? If you have bloody diarrhea, a fever above 102°F (38.9°C), diarrhea lasting more than 3 days, can't keep liquids down, or show signs of dehydration. ## Official sources - [CDC: Travelers' Diarrhea (Yellow Book)](https://www.cdc.gov/yellow-book/hcp/preparing-international-travelers/travelers-diarrhea.html) - [CDC: Health information for travelers to Indonesia](https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/indonesia)