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Is Bali's 'Bali Belly' Really That Scary? 50+ Real User Experiences: From Hellish Diarrhea to Staying Completely Healthy—What's the Key?

By 小傑爸 Bali travel blogger · Go Bali Go founder

2026年7月29日 · 更新於 2026年7月29日 ✏️ 編輯文章

Is Bali's 'Bali Belly' Really That Scary? 50+ Real User Experiences: From Hellish Diarrhea to Staying Completely Healthy—What's the Key?

💡 Quick Answer

Worried about 'Bali Belly' on your trip? Is the ice toxic? Should you bring a water filter? This article compiles hundreds of firsthand user tips to help you av…

Is the ice toxic? Are street stalls the culprit? Can five-star hotels also be a risk? Read this before you go to dodge the ‘Bali stomach curse.’

Recently, ‘Bali Belly’ has become a hot topic again in our Facebook group. Some describe it as a trip to hell, with diarrhea so bad they couldn’t get out of bed; others had a blast with their families and returned home without a hitch. So, is Bali’s water quality really that terrifying? Should you still go on this trip? We’ve combed through real experiences from over 50 users to bring you the most balanced advice.

Case 1: How Bad Was It for Those Who Got Hit?

Multiple users shared their harrowing firsthand experiences:

One user recounted a painful trip with their child, who got sick and spent days in bed, unable to eat and suffering from diarrhea. A friend who went in June had it worse—their child was hospitalized and they had to return early.
Another user and their friend started vomiting and had diarrhea on the second day, warning, ‘Never eat raw food, even at five-star hotel restaurants!’
A group of four traveled together; three got sick and spent two days recovering in bed, relying on local medication. The one who didn’t get sick was suspected to have drunk fewer beverages (and thus less ice) at restaurants.
A family of three had two members hit: ‘The stomach pain was intense, lasting about 1-2 days, with weakness and nausea. It passed once the diarrhea came.’
One parent shared that their child started vomiting, had diarrhea, and ran a fever at the hotel the day before returning from a winter break trip. The punchline? ‘They were fine as soon as we got back to Taiwan.’ A short sentence that says it all.

These experiences tell us: Getting hit is not a rare case, and the symptoms are genuinely severe.

Case 2: What Did Those Who Came Out Unscathed Do?

Another group of netizens reported that their entire families stayed safe and even had a fantastic time. What did they have in common?

✅ Key 1: Water, Water, Water! From Brushing Teeth to Showering, It All Matters

One netizen shared that while staying at a five-star hotel and villa, they used bottled water for brushing teeth and a filtered showerhead for bathing, avoided ice in drinks, yet their husband still experienced mild stomach discomfort.
Another admitted they used to get diarrhea every trip, but the last two times, they “bought bottled mineral water even for rinsing after brushing teeth” and finally made it through safely.
One strongly recommended “bringing a filtered showerhead” to significantly reduce the odds.
Another netizen, staying at a decent hotel in Kuta, noted, “We had to change the filter every day—the water was really dirty,” and even attached photos as proof.

✅ Key 2: Ice Is the Number One Enemy

Multiple netizens chimed in unison: “Ice! Watch out for the ice too!”
One parent bluntly said, “Ice is truly toxic 🤣”
Many suggested: always order drinks without ice, or stick to canned or bottled beverages.

✅ Key 3: Restaurant Quality Is a Game Changer

One netizen recommended staying at 4- or 5-star hotels or villas, “don’t switch to street food, try to eat at restaurants or eateries,” and drink major brand bottled water from convenience stores—their 5-year-old returned home healthy.
Another shared that on day 7 of their trip, their child had already booked a return visit for winter break, saying, “If you’re worried, just stay at a better hotel and you’ll be fine.”
A seasoned Bali traveler who has visited over ten times emphasized, “The higher the star rating of the hotel, the safer it is.”

✅ Key 4: Probiotics + Immunity Are the Invisible Shield

One netizen started taking probiotics and immune-boosting vitamins before departure, and “after swimming, I’d use a throat spray to kill germs.”
A parent shared that their whole family took probiotics daily, and even though the kids might have swallowed pool water while playing, they all came out unscathed.
Another netizen’s family started taking probiotics a month before the trip, “not sure if it made a difference 😅,” but 3 adults and 2 kids returned safely after 14 days.

Case 3: Tales of ‘Invincible’ Constitutions

Some netizens throw caution to the wind and come out unscathed, leaving others both envious and puzzled:

One mom traveled for 9 days with her 7-month-old and 2-year-old, eating street food, ordering delivery, having BBQ, and raw cold fruits, swimming in the sea and jumping in pools—‘We only drank bottled water (bought locally), and didn’t prepare anything special besides stomach meds 🫣 Maybe my babies just have strong constitutions.’
A family of three traveled for a month, drinking ice cubes and eating street food, ‘We only used bottled water for daily drinking, and we were totally fine!’
One netizen went 6 days and 5 nights without any precautions, even drinking water from a rocky hollow by the roadside at Tirta Empul Temple, and still hasn’t gotten sick.

But is this good constitution or just good luck? Most netizens still think: don’t gamble with it.

Expert Advice: How to Boost Your Safety Odds

Drawing from all netizen experiences, here’s how to lower your chances of getting sick:

🚰 Drinking Water

Brushing teeth, rinsing mouth, drinking: Always use bottled mineral water (buy well-known local brands).
For extra peace of mind, boil water with a kettle before drinking.
Shower water: Some travelers recommend installing a filtered showerhead, especially for families with kids.

🧊 Ice and Beverages

Order drinks without ice, or choose canned or bottled beverages.
If you want ice, opt for international brands (like Häagen-Dazs) for relative safety.

🍽️ Dining

Avoid street food, raw items (sashimi, lettuce), and soft-boiled eggs.
Choose highly-rated restaurants or dine at your hotel.
For fruit, pick whole, uncut pieces rather than pre-cut ones exposed to air.

🏊 Swimming

Pool water is chlorinated, and most travelers consider the risk low, but always rinse off thoroughly after swimming.
If the villa pool water looks yellowish or murky, it’s better to skip it.
Kids may accidentally swallow pool water; consider boosting their probiotic intake.

💊 Medications and Supplements

Start taking probiotics before departure to strengthen gut defenses.
Pack stomach medications (for diarrhea and pain relief) just in case.
If you have chronic conditions or are traveling with young children, consult a doctor beforehand.

Final Verdict: To Go or Not to Go?

As one netizen put it: “Can you really be afraid of everything? Prepare what you need to, and just enjoy the rest!”

Bali’s ‘dirty water’ illness is real, but it’s not unavoidable. Most cases are linked to drinking water, ice cubes, and raw food. As long as you take the precautions mentioned above and choose better accommodations and restaurants, most people can have a great time.

If you’re still extremely anxious, you might consider someone’s advice: “Just don’t go—you only have one life.” But honestly, millions of travelers return safely from Bali every year. With proper preparation, you can be one of them.

One last tip: Don’t forget, you’ll be back in Taiwan soon enough—and that might be the most reassuring thought in this whole ‘dirty water’ saga. 😄

Quick Reference: Bali Belly: How to Self-Treat Diarrhea/Gastroenteritis/Dirty Water Illness? A Guide to Bali Belly Relief Medications

Is Bali's 'Bali Belly' Really That Scary? 50+ Real User Experiences: From Hellish Diarrhea to Staying Completely Healthy—What's the Key?

Case 1: How Bad Was It for Those Who Got Hit?

Case 2: What Did Those Who Came Out Unscathed Do?