Mexico has a rich cultural past and extraordinary natural beauty. Visit the capital, Mexico City, one of the world’s 15 largest metropolitan regions. In the grand National Palace, learn about Mexico’s history from Aztec origins through independence from Spanish conquerors to modern sophistication.

Watch the spectacular Ballet Folklórico de Mexico with colorful traditional costumes. Admire the ornate interior of the Palacio de Bellas Artes during the performance and its majestic domed exterior brightly lit after dark.

Nearby to Mexico City, see the large Pyramids of the Sun and Moon at Teotihuacan, built long before Europeans reached North America. Seek out the other fascinating Mesoamerican pyramids in more than a dozen spots across the nation, including Puebla’s Great Pyramid of Cholula.

The Yucatán Peninsula offers a pleasant mix of historical appreciation and beach fun. Relax completely at Cancún, Cozumel or Playa del Carmen, popular beach getaways in Mexico’s Riviera Maya on the Caribbean Sea. Explore stone structures of ancient Mayan cities at Chichen Itza and the Tulum Ruins. Dive to Kantun-Chi’s natural caverns and Cancún Marine Park’s underwater man-made sculptures.

Find more sandy shores along Mexico’s Pacific Ocean coastline. Huatulco features dozens of beaches and snorkeling above coral reefs. Moving north, visit Acapulco, where La Quebrada’s divers make long leaps into the sea. Puerto Vallarta has beaches and an oceanfront boardwalk leading to restaurants, shops and Old Vallarta. Visit Cabo San Lucas at Baja California Sur’s southern tip for beaches, interesting coastal rock formations and lively nightlife.

Inland attractions include the UNESCO World Heritage site of Oaxaca, a Spanish colonial town, and nearby archaeological site of Monte Albán. In Morelia, marvel at the old pink Aqueduct, extending more than 1 mile (1.8 kilometers) through the modern city.

Across Mexico, enjoy overall warm weather, friendly people, hand-made crafts and delicious cuisine. Purchase silver jewelry and colorful pottery. Dine on gorditas, tostadas, enchiladas and mole, authentic food far tastier than most Mexican restaurants north of the border. Visit this welcoming nation, a close neighbor and good friend of the United States.