HOW TO: Avoid Bali Belly

When I first came to Bali, I got hit with sickness almost immediately. It wasn’t cute. But once I started taking the right precautions, I’ve never had it again.

Bali belly isn’t random bad luck. It’s what happens when your body meets new bacteria, new water and different food hygiene standards all at once.

The biggest rule: NEVER ingest the tap water. That means no brushing your teeth with it, no rinsing your mouth in the shower, and no drinking it. Ice in Bali is regulated and usually made from purified water, so it’s safe in most cafés and restaurants.

I also avoid:

• street food in the first few weeks

• anything lukewarm or sitting out

• buffets

One more thing that makes a huge difference: I always travel with activated charcoal, electrolytes and Imodium. If something starts, catching it early can turn a three-day disaster into a 12-hour inconvenience.

Fun fact: a lot of Airbnbs, villas and hotels now have filtered water dispensers in the lobby where you can refill bottles, which is great — but I still always keep bottled water in my room to be safe, especially for mornings, supplements and brushing my teeth.

Do this and you massively lower your chances of spending your Bali glow-up stuck in bed instead of enjoying the island 🌴