Officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and once known as Ceylon, this teardrop-shaped island sits off the southern tip of India in the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, cradled between the Bay of Bengal and the Laccadive Sea.

Often called the "Pearl of the Indian Ocean," Sri Lanka charms visitors with a compact abundance of landscapes: misty central highlands carpeted in emerald tea plantations, sun-drenched golden beaches, dense rainforests and rolling dry plains.

History and culture ripple through the island — from the dramatic rock citadel of Sigiriya, with its ancient frescoes and ingenious water gardens, to the serene Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy, a living center of Buddhist devotion.

Wildlife lovers flock to places like Yala National Park to glimpse leopards, elephants and a dazzling array of birdlife, while marine enthusiasts can snorkel or dive among coral reefs teeming with life.

Sri Lanka is also famed for its tea: the highland estates around Nuwara Eliya produce fragrant, world-class Ceylon tea that helped shape the island’s colonial-era economy.

Beyond the marquee sights, the island delights in smaller pleasures — bustling spice markets and fragrant street food, picturesque train journeys through cloud-draped hills and welcoming communities whose layered histories of kingdoms, trade and religion have left a rich tapestry of festivals, cuisine and handicrafts.