For a tourist visiting Indonesia, would it be better to try Java or Bali first?

As a tourist who likes the finer things and wants that half-adventure-half-holiday trip, definitely Bali.

Bali has the food culture, the architecture, temples, monkies, beaches, rice patties, nature, shopping, relaxation, parties - all of it.

It’s convenient to get around and has the tourism built into the island, as well as the more off-the-beaten-path kind of vibe if you’re looking for it.

Java on the other hand isn’t like that at all. If you’ve been to 20+ countries, if you’ve already had your fair share of tourism, and you’re looking for more of a rugged experience without a lot of options for other things, that’s when I’d do Java.

Simply put: Go to Bali first because If you like Bali, there’s a chance you’ll also like Java. If you don’t like Bali, you’re not going to like Java.

Hope that helps!

Sah

This quick article is a part of the Thrifty Backpacker FAQ Series.