Question: Where is Sri Lanka?

You've heard about the famously spicy food, nice beaches, and maybe even the decades-long civil war, but exactly where is Sri Lanka located?

Answer:

Formerly known as Ceylon, Sri Lanka is an island nation located in the Indian Ocean just southeast from the tip of the Indian subcontinent. Sri Lanka is extremely close to India and is south of the Bay of Bengal.

Sri Lanka is thought to have once been connected to India via an 18-mile-long land bridge, however, now only limestone shoals remain.

Large ships cannot sail in the shallow water between the two countries and must pass all the way around Sri Lanka.

The medium-sized island of Sri Lanka occupies 25,332 square miles -- making it only slightly larger than the state of West Virginia; you can easily move around the country by bus or train.

• See a country profile and learn what to expect during Sri Lanka travel.

How to Get to Sri Lanka?

Ferry service between India and Sri Lanka stopped during their brutal civil war. Boat service started up again in late 2011 but did not last long. While some cruise lines do call into Sri Lanka, the easiest and most common way to reach the island is to fly into Colombo; there are many budget flights operating between India and Sri Lanka.

There are currently no direct flights from the US to Sri Lanka; you will need to pass through Europe, Asia, or the Middle East first. The quickest way to reach Sri Lanka from the US is to book a direct flight to New Delhi, India, then an onward flight to Colombo.

• Use these insider tips for finding the cheapest flights to Sri Lanka.

Is a Visa Required for Sri Lanka?

As of 2012, people of all nationalities excluding Singapore and the Maldives must get an electronic visa, known as an ETA, in advance before arriving in Sri Lanka. You will receive a confirmation code associated with your passport number and receive a stamp at immigration after arrival.

• See what to expect after landing in Asia.

Applying for a travel visa to visit Sri Lanka is easy and can be done online for a fee. The default length of stay granted is 30 days. Unlike applying for the Indian visa, the process is simple; no passport photos or additional paperwork are necessary.

Apply for an ETA visa on the official site: http://www.eta.gov.lk/slvisa/

Is Sri Lanka Safe?

Sri Lanka had to deal with both the devastating 2004 tsunami and a civil war that lasted for nearly 26 years. Fighting stopped in 2009; despite a still-heavy police presence in some cities, tourists are safe and the tourism infrastructure has been rebuilt.

Most tourists head to the beaches in the south and to the beautiful tea plantations in the interior. Some areas in the northern province around Jaffna still have restricted areas and work to clean up land mines is still underway.

Where to Go in Sri Lanka?

A big part of the visitors to Sri Lanka end up in beach destinations along the south of Colombo along the west coast of the island. Sri Lanka is subject to two different monsoon seasons, so at any given time some part of the island will be dry enough to enjoy.

• See the best time to go to Sri Lanka.
• See more about the India monsoon season.

Unawatuna is a popular beach destination and attracts visitors from all over the world. The interior of the island is green, cooler, and home to beautiful tea plantations along with abundant wildlife. The city of Kandy in the Central Province is a popular tourist destination and is generally considered the cultural epicenter of Sri Lanka.