Short answer
- 19-litre galon (refill jug)
- About IDR 19,000, varies by shop
- Plastic bottles under 1 litre
- Phased out from 2026
- Boil water to
- A rolling boil
- Ice
- Only if made with safe water
In detail
Start where you are:
- Arriving soon: read brushing your teeth and ice, then pack a refillable bottle.
- Staying a month or more: go to where to get drinking water.
- Already ill: Bali belly covers what to do and when to see a doctor.
Is boiled tap water safe to drink in Bali?
Yes, once it reaches a rolling boil, which disinfects it. A filter or chemical treatment can also disinfect water, though chlorine may not kill some parasites, so boiling is the surer choice.[4, 5]
Cloudy or discoloured water is the exception. It may carry chemicals that boiling does not remove, so use bottled water instead.[3]
Tea and coffee made with water that has just been boiled are generally safe.[3]
Can you brush your teeth with tap water in Bali?
Use bottled or boiled water for your teeth as well. Untreated tap water is not advised for brushing either.[4, 5]
In the shower, keep your mouth closed and avoid swallowing the water.[4]
Our rule
Keep a bottle of drinking water by the bathroom sink.
It turns the safe choice into the easy one at midnight.
Is ice in Bali safe?
No, not unless you know it was made with safe water. Ice is only as safe as the water it came from.[3, 4, 5]
The alcohol in a cocktail does not make the ice safe, because it does not kill germs in ice made from dirty water.[3]
Our rule
Order drinks without ice unless the place can tell you what water it uses.
Ice is the one part of a drink you can’t check at the table.
Is bottled water always safe?
No, only when it is factory sealed. Drinks from unopened, factory-sealed bottles and cans are safer than tap water, but untreated water is sometimes swapped in.[4]
A drop of glue can pass for a factory seal, so a seal alone is not proof. Check it is unbroken when you buy.[4, 5]
Our rule
Refuse a bottle handed to you already open.
An unbroken factory seal is the only check you have, and even that can be faked.
Where do you get drinking water in Bali?
From a galon, the large refillable water jug, or from water you boil. Bali's 2025 rules end the making and sale of plastic water bottles under one litre from 2026; galons are not affected.[6, 7]
A 19-litre galon refill costs about IDR 19,000 (about AUD 1.5), our estimate at around IDR 1,000 a litre, and the price varies by shop. The refill is the water only: ask your host or a local shop about the jug and a dispenser. A genuine AQUA galon has a neat cap seal that is not easily damaged and a clear production code.[8]
| Option | Cost | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Galon refill, 19 litres | About IDR 19,000, varies by shop | For AQUA, a neat cap seal and a clear production code |
| Tap water you boil | Gas or power only | A rolling boil; bottled water instead if it looks cloudy |
| Sealed bottles over 1 litre | Varies by shop | An unbroken seal you twist open yourself |
Our rule
For a stay of more than a few days, keep a galon in your room and refill your own bottle from it.
Ask your host whether one comes with the room before you buy your own.
Next steps
FAQ
Is hotel tap water safe to drink in Bali?
Treat it as unsafe, like any tap water in Indonesia.[1]
Is it safe to cook with tap water?
Yes, once it has reached a rolling boil. Don’t use unboiled tap water to prepare food you won’t cook, such as washing salad, or to make drinks.[3, 5]
What if you drink tap water in Bali by accident?
Watch for diarrhoea, and get medical help at once for a fever of 38°C or more, or blood or mucus in your stool.[9]
Sources
Our summaries of Indonesian rules are unofficial; the Indonesian text governs.
UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Indonesia travel advice: health
Australian Government, Smartraveller, Indonesia travel advice
US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC Yellow Book, Food and water precautions for travelers (CDC Yellow Book 2026)
US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Travelers' Health, Food and drink considerations when traveling
National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC), TravelHealthPro, Food and water hygiene factsheet
CNA Indonesia (news), Waste emergency: Bali bans the sale and distribution of bottled water under one litre
AQUA (Danone Indonesia), operator guide, AQUA gallon prices and how to tell genuine products from counterfeits
National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC), TravelHealthPro, Travellers' diarrhoea factsheet
Ministry of Finance, Indonesia, Fiscal Policy Agency, Kurs Pajak (tax exchange rate), weekly
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