Close-up of a white bed sheet with two small red dots near the center, indicating a bed bug blood stain or crushed insect residue, often associated with bed bug activity.

Bed Bugs in Bali: What I Wish I Knew Before Today

BySilvia Gentile Polese

This morning in Bali, I had a full-on meltdown: I found out I had bed bugs. I didn’t know what to do first. Should I shower? Throw everything in the wash? Pack up and leave? I started calling everyone I knew, trying to figure out what was safe to touch and what needed to be sealed or cleaned. It was overwhelming and honestly a bit embarrassing, but once I got through the chaos, I learnt a lot.

Here’s what to do if you get bed bugs in Bali, how to identify them, clean your stuff, talk to hotels, and stop the spread.

Are Bed Bugs Common in Bali?

Unfortunately, yes. While it’s not something anyone likes to talk about, bed bugs in Bali are not unheard of. The tropical climate and high turnover of guests in budget stays and even some mid-range hotels create ideal conditions for them to spread.

They’re more likely to show up in places with a fast guest turnaround and less stringent cleaning routines—but they can surprise you anywhere.

If you’re staying in homestays, hostels, or guesthouses, it’s worth checking recent reviews to spot any red flags.

What Do Bed Bugs Look Like?

Bed bugs are tiny, reddish-brown insects. Adults are around the size of an apple seed and flat when unfed. You might also notice tiny black dots (their droppings), shed skins, or even small blood spots on sheets.

In my case, I just noticed many black and brown dots all over my bed! However, you can only see the adults because the eggs or small ones are not big enough to be noticed!

Side-by-side images of a white bed sheet with small, dark brown bed bugs visibly scattered across the fabric, highlighting a bed bug infestation.
Bed bugs on my sheet

I didn’t see the actual bugs at first; I slept at my Airbnb for 4 nights before noticing them. One day I woke up with many bites on my stomach, arms and back… which takes me to the next point…

Can You Get Bitten by Bed Bugs? Yes… You Can

And it’s not pleasant. The bites tend to show up in clusters or lines and are incredibly itchy. They often appear overnight and can take hours to days to show. If you’ve been bitten and can rule out mosquitoes or ants, there’s a good chance bed bugs are the culprits.

When I woke up like this, I thought it was just loads of mosquito bites, but then I remembered there were no mosquitoes in my bedroom at all (which surprised me), so I took a picture of my stomach and uploaded it to Chatgpt. Without a doubt, it said it was bed bugs. The next thing I knew, I removed the covers and saw hundreds of bed bugs on the sheets!

This image shows a close-up of human skin near the navel, with a noticeable cluster of red, raised, and inflamed bumps or welts. [From Blog post: Bed Bugs in Bali]
Close-up of some of the bites I had on my stomach

Here is how my stomach looked like (and still does right now as I’m writing this on the day!). It’s incredibly itchy, but I went to the pharmacy and got a cortisone cream for bites, which should help! They also recommended antihistamines or cooling gels.

Don’t forget to have your travel insurance in place! 👉 I use Safety Wing, upload my doctor’s receipts and get my money back ASAP!

What to Do Now?

First, don’t panic but act quickly. Here’s what helped me contain the situation and not take the bed bugs with me:

  • Wash everything you can at 60°C (bedsheets, clothes, backpack if it fits) or go to a really good laundry (these are the best in Ubud for example)
  • Seal anything you can’t wash in airtight bags for at least a year (yes, they can survive a long time without feeding). I always travel with a couple of large vacuum-seal bags, and they saved me. I usually bring them to shrink clothes and save space, but they came in handy for sealing items I couldn’t wash.
  • Vacuum your suitcase and clean the zippers with a toothbrush if you suspect they crawled inside. Many people recommend getting rid of the suitcase altogether. I’ve been lucky because I had it in another room!
  • Avoid putting your luggage on the bed or floor while sorting, use the bathroom if possible.
  • Leave your accommodation right away!

How to Deal With Your Accommodation

If you find bed bugs in your accommodation, tell the staff immediately. Be calm but firm. In my case, the host didn’t seem surprised; he only apologised, and Airbnb fully refunded my booking.

Take photos of the bites and the signs in the room. You’ll need these if you’re reporting it to Airbnb or any booking platform. Airbnb was responsive and assisted me straight away.

I’ve also been banned on Airbnb for 3 days because they don’t want you to bring bed bugs to other accommodations! So if you are on Airbnb too, make sure you book a hotel right away for 3 days!!

Remember that before moving anywhere, you have to get your clothes sorted, otherwise you will spread everything to the new place!

Where to Go Now?

Left image: Outdoor tropical shower area with stone tiles, a mounted showerhead, and a potted plant on a pedestal, enclosed by a tan stucco wall with vertical cut-outs and surrounded by lush greenery. Right image: A woman in a bright pink dress stands just outside a shaded patio doorway, next to a round table and wicker chairs, with a vibrant garden and palm trees in the background.

I needed a place to stay fast, somewhere clean, safe and in a location where I knew I was going to find a good laundry. The Airbnb was in Sanur, so I travelled to Ubud and booked the Svarga Bebek Villas, which was partially paid for by Airbnb in addition to the refund. I’m writing from here right now, and it’s fantastic!

I made sure to check all the reviews for any mention of bed bugs, cleanliness, or pests before booking. Look for recent reviews from other travellers, they tend to be honest and detailed. As soon as I entered the bedroom, I went straight to the bed with my phone’s torch and inspected it. It was all clear, and my heart stopped racing!

👉 Book your room at the Svarga Bebek Villas too! It’s super clean, beautiful and with a delicious breakfast!

Keep This in Mind Next Time

I wish I had done a few simple things before checking in:

✔️ Read the most recent reviews on multiple platforms.

✔️ Check the bed and mattress seams immediately after arrival.

✔️ Keep luggage sealed or elevated—never directly on the floor.

✔️ Always pack vacuum-seal bags—not just for saving space, but in case you need to isolate your stuff.

FAQs About Bed Bugs While Travelling

How do I get rid of bed bugs in Bali?

The quickest way is to wash all clothing, towels, and soft items at 60°C or higher and then dry them on high heat for at least 30 minutes. If you can’t wash everything immediately, seal items in airtight vacuum bags for at least one year to ensure the bugs and eggs die.

Disinfect hard surfaces like suitcases with rubbing alcohol or heat exposure (e.g. direct sun). Many laundries in Bali can help with high-heat washing, some even offer pick-up and delivery.

Can you get bed bugs from an aeroplane?

Yes, it’s possible although rare. Bed bugs can hide in the fabric of aeroplane seats or carpeted areas, especially on long-haul flights with high passenger turnover. If one crawls onto your clothes or luggage, you could bring it with you unknowingly.

Do bed bugs infest electronics?

It’s not common, but yes, they can hide in electronics, especially if the device is warm and near a sleeping area (like a phone by the bed). That said, they don’t feed or nest in electronics. If you’re concerned, seal devices in plastic bags and leave them unused for several days. Don’t spray liquid on electronics.

Can you get bed bugs from the airport?

It’s unlikely but possible. Airports have a lot of fabric chairs, waiting lounges, and shared surfaces. A bed bug could transfer from someone else’s bag to yours. Avoid placing your luggage on soft seats or carpets if you can, and inspect your bag after long travel days.

Can bed bugs survive in checked luggage?

Yes. Bed bugs are excellent hitchhikers and can survive weeks inside a dark, warm suitcase, including in the cargo hold of a plane. That’s why it’s important to keep dirty clothes sealed during travel and wash everything once you arrive, especially after a hotel or Airbnb stay.

Can you travel with bed bugs?

Unfortunately, yes. If they’re hiding in your luggage, clothes, or accessories, you could unknowingly bring them with you to your next hotel. To prevent spreading, isolate anything suspicious in vacuum-sealed bags and do not open them again until you can wash or treat the items properly.

Will alcohol keep bed bugs away?

Rubbing alcohol (isopropyl) can kill bed bugs on contact, but it’s not a long-term solution. It evaporates quickly and won’t kill eggs. Spraying it on your bag or bed frame in a panic can help temporarily, but heat and sealing are far more effective. Never rely solely on alcohol to solve an infestation.

Last Words From Me

Bed bugs in Bali aren’t something to panic about as long as you are safe, everything will be ok. The bites are itchy, but that’s all; they don’t carry diseases or viruses! Make sure to check everything, even sofas in other rooms. I decided to wash everything I had on the sofas, including bags and clothes!

Ciao for now,

Silvia x

Related Blog Posts

✍️ Bali Travel Planning Guide 🌴

Before you start your unforgettable journey to Bali here are the essential tips every female solo traveller should know:

📱 Do I need an eSIM for Bali?

✅ Yes. Having data from the moment you land makes your trip so much easier. I recommend Ubigi eSIM, which connects instantly without queuing at the airport for a SIM card and works better than other eSIMs I have tested. 👉 Get your Indonesia plan now

🚑 Should I buy travel insurance for Bali?

✅ 100% YES! — My #1 safety tip for all travellers is to buy travel insurance for every trip in case anything happens during their visit (and yes, Bali belly is a thing!). I highly recommend HeyMondo – you get 24/7 support and it’s budget-friendly!

💧Can you drink the water in Bali?

🚱 No — It’s recommended to drink filtered or bottled water in Bali (I even brush my teeth with filtered water).

🏩 What’s the best way to book my Bali accommodations?

My go-to for Bali hotels is Booking.com. For hostels, I normally go for Hostelworld (you can also filter by private rooms if you want!). If you love pets you should consider Trusted Housesitters, you would get free accommodation in exchange for looking after amazing pets ❤️

🐒 What’s the best way to book my Bali activities?

Get Your Guide and Viator are the best ones. You can go through the reviews to learn more about each activity and they have amazing customer support!

🛒 Will I find tampons in Bali?

Yes! However, they are hard to find! Get the guide with the list of sellers and Google Map here!

🚕 How can I book my taxi in advance from the airport to my accommodation?

I always recommend reserving your taxi in advance via Klook. This is because it will ask you for flight details and the driver will be able to track your flight in real time. I would book my taxi especially when I fly to new places or get there at night time! If you want to rent a car, Klook is still your best bet. They have cars available to pick up right at the airport! For scooter rental in Bali, go to BikAgo.

🏄🏽 Where can I book surf camps or yoga retreats?

Booksurfcamps.com is the best for surf camps all over the world. Use Bookyogaretreats.com for the best yoga retreats in Bali and worldwide.

✈️ What’s the best site to book my flight?

Skyscanner is definitely the best one out there! I love their “explore everywhere” function for when I need inspiration on where to go next! If you will embark on a long flight and you love showering in between flights or just using the lounges in airports all over the world, check out Lounge Passes on Klook, GetYourGuide or get a lounge membership on Priority Pass!

🎫 Do I need a visa for Bali?

👍 Yes — US, UK, and EU passport holders can get the Visa On Arrival (Tourist Visa) valid for 30 days in Bali. Read more here)

💰 𝗖𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆: The currency here is the Indonesian Rupiah (IDR), and there are plenty of ATMs if you need cash. I always withdraw from ATMs to get the best rates (select “no” when it asks you if you accept the conversion rate). The best debit card to use when travelling to Bali is Wise!

🚕 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Getting around Bali is easy peasy! Rent your scooter on BikAgo. The alternative would be getting a scooter taxi using Grab or Gojek which are safe and cheap in major places like Ubud, Canggu and Uluwatu. You can also book your private driver!

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Meet Silvia, a solo traveller who left what looked like the perfect life in London with a tech job, a stylish apartment and all the comforts she thought she wanted to live a simpler life in Bali, close to nature and a beautiful culture. Through The Good Observer, she shares honest and practical advice for solo female travellers, from where to find essentials in Bali to how to connect with locals and explore beyond the tourist path.