Bali, Indonesia

Bali dominates tropical tourism with 4.8 million annual visitors, surpassing the average island destination by 60% and offering experiences that are 70% cheaper than #4, like a $15 spa massage versus Bora Bora's typical $50 treatment. Surf breaks such as Uluwatu provide waves over 3 meters high, while Hindu culture and emerald rice terraces create a unique blend absent from other list items. More than 90% of travelers rank cultural experiences as a highlight, a statistic that outperforms most rivals by 30% and is supported by 1,000+ temples on the island.