(CNN) -- Icy beers, empty beaches. It's a compelling image, but it captures only a feeble percentage of the diversity and excellence that imbues one of the most incredible countries in the world. Here are 10 things Mexico does better than anywhere else. Celebrating death Plenty of cultures do ancestor worship. But who else turns the commemoration of their dearly departed into an annual fiesta of art, food and community? On November 1, aka the Day of the Dead, Mexicans put together ofrendas (shrines) for loved ones who have passed away. Every ofrenda includes pictures of the deceased, food, drinks, skull-shaped candies, candles and cempasuchil, the Aztec marigold or flower of the dead.
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Day of the Dead is a Mexican tradition to honor loved ones who have passed on with art, food and communal activities
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Not all tequila is for slamming -- the best stuff can compete with a fine whiskey and should be savored
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Tacos, tortas, tamales and tostadas -- no lunch ever came quicker, or more satisfying, than one provided by Vitamin T
Mexico
Whereas most countries tend to save their horns for parties and special occasions, however, @placeholder kicks out the brass jams on a daily basis.
Mexicans
Mexican
It all comes down to bandas, the heart of both traditional and popular genres of @placeholder music.
Mexico
Every @placeholder traveler is charmed by mariachi, but bandas are a part of several broader genres, the most characteristic being ranchera, quebradita and corridos.
Mexicans
Mexican
@placeholder' deep fear of appearing rude has given us a bred-in-the-bone aversion to uttering the word "no."
Mexicans
Mexican
Think of ahorita as the @placeholder art of procrastination -- it's been passed from generation to generation -- a term that can mean anything from "in 10 minutes" to "in three weeks."