Mexico
My first trip to Mexico was back in the 1970's, the company I worked for had a special reception for Mexican businessmen. I arrived a few days prior, to prepare for the meeting. I stayed in a very nice hotel in Mexico City, just a few blocks from the Archeological Museum.
The smog was so thick that the sun was not visible in the sky until mid-day.
I took the time to visit the museum, which was very impressive, both in it's opulent display, and the superb building itself.
Later I was able to take a tour out of town, to the nearby Mayan ruins.
I climbed to the top of one of the pyramids, and was quite inspired by the vista.
Another time I returned to Ixtapa/Zihuteneo for a sales meeting. This was a lush new vacation facility, with beautiful beaches. I was quite impressed.
The Mexican border towns are gritty places. I have been to both Tijuana and Juarez. Juarez stands out for its cheap manufacturing labor and spectacularly gruesome violence.
La Posadas, A Mexican Christmas