Guanajuato is one of the most photogenic cities in the world. It's an inviting university town with a lot of international flair, has a dry, sunny climate and a safe social environment.

There are many restaurants and scenic little squares and lanes.

Come take a look.

Teatro Juárez sits across from the Jardín Union. From the alleyway before the pink church on the right in this photo, is a remarkable view of the statue of El Pipila who watches over the town.

Stunning architecture is throughout the city, with beautifully decorated Plazas. All of this is within easy walking distance of everything you might need or want.

Free tickets for performances were being given out to people on the street so the theaters would be filled and the actors would have practice in front of audiences. We also enjoyed a free orchestra concert in the stylish plaza in front of this theater. At another theater location there was a free outdoor show with a couple doing the swing with great talent.

One of the many attractive Plazas in Guanajuato. This particular plaza is in front of Teatro Juarez and is where the orchestra played their free concert that afternoon.

These appealing places are perfect to sit and people-watch, listen to music in the central gazebo, or have lunch in the many cafes that line the square.

Don Quixote de la Mancha is a novel written in two parts by the 17th century Spanish novelist, Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra. Don Quixote is almost always deluded, particularly in his love for Dulcinea, a peasant woman whom he believes is actually a princess. Don Quixote is also accompanied by his straight man Sancho, who is a laborer.

Here in this photo you see one of the many sculptures of The Man of La Mancha, with Sancho at his side.

In fact, there is a complete museum here in Guanajuato dedicated to all things Don Quixote. One will see various sorts of references to this famous character displayed throughout the city.

Statues of Mexican artists are placed everywhere in this cultured, artistic town. The Mexican artist is the one on the right with the hat.

It's delightful to wander around, breathe in the clean air, sit on wrought iron benches, admire the gardens, and eat in outdoor cafes.

Cafes and restaurants are dotted on most streets and there is no shortage of food choices. Being a university town, there is a good variety and most places are quite affordable.

A colorful callejon, or alleyway, with a restaurant overhead.

Easy to find something to do, have a conversation or build a social life in Guanajuato.

Charming outdoor cafes beckon to tourists and pedestrians. This one is right in the center of town at the Plaza de la Paz. The University is to the right of the photo, and the Basílica Colegiata de Nuestra Señora de Guanajuato is directly behind us.

Notice the pleasant colors of the buildings, the sculpted hedges and little traffic to interfere with pedestrian meanderings.

The Basílica Colegiata de Nuestra Señora de Guanajuato and the same cafe from another angle. More wrought iron on balconies and windows, beautiful colors for the Basilica, a fountain and the manicured gardens with poinsettias in the center.

Lovely weather for winter.

Traveling through the highlands of Mexico is a must adventure for any traveler. From the famous silver mining city of Zacatecas to the most Mexican town in Mexico, Jerez, and finally the World Heritage and enchanting, University city of Guanajuato. All of these places were unique and unquestionably worth a visit. For more information and practical tips for planning this journey for yourself, we offer The Adventurer's Guide to Mexican Highlands click here

No shortages of romantic little hideaways and places to get lost!

The decorative paint emphasizes the stairways and angles in an artistic and pleasing manner.

This is Hotel Meson Del Rosario with prices listed for rooms.

We paid 200 Pesos a night in our hostel, but you could find beautiful places easily for 600+ Pesos nightly.

Callejón de Beso or the Ally of the Kiss.

Legend says a boy and girl fell in love but the father didn't approve because the boy was a common miner. The lovers were forbidden to see each other but the young boy moved into the apartment across the way so they could each be on their own balconies and still be able to kiss.

Inevitably, the couple were discovered and they met a tragic end. Most certainly a Mexican version of Romeo and Juliet.

In a strange tourist twist, people pay money to go up to the third step of the alley to kiss for good luck.

A typical Mexican plate of carne asada, frijoles, arroz, pappas y ensalada.

You most certainly won't go hungry in this town!

Another charming plazita and since it was holiday time, the poinsettias, or noche buenas, decorated many of  the squares in town. In the middle of winter the sun is shining and we are in Tee shirts, no jackets.

Perfect display of Mexican culture; a common sight.

These women sell their items on the street. Beautiful lillies, green chayotes, and freshly made bread.

Young men also have their street stores. These hand made tamales go for 4 and 5 Pesos each. The other bucket has atole in it, a hot drink made from corn flour and sugar.

There is always a place to buy food.

This man is selling churros de las fresas or a strawberry flavored Mexican donut. Dough is squirted out of a pastry bag, fried and then tossed into sugar and sometimes cinnamon. Bags of donuts were 10 Pesos each.

Quaint tiny cafe, a perfect spot for students to meet.

One of the many fine places we chose to eat a holiday meal.

This menu was price fixed - 55 Pesos a person - for soup, main course and dessert. We had Vegetable Soup, Beef Steak Milanese, Chicken with Mushroom Sauce and Flan and Fresh Fruit for dessert. Wine was extra.

Letting off a little hot air!

Led by the local fire department, these guys were driving through the street promoting the hot air balloon festival that weekend. The heat from this burner could be felt 50 meters away.

We were sitting on a nearby bench speaking with a young college student when this parade of fire-breathing vehicles drove past. Always something going on in a college town, and since many are looking to practice their English, students are friendly and respectful.

These are blue corn tortillas filled with your choice of ingredients. For 15 Pesos each, they were filling and amazingly tasty. The bright yellow sunflower-looking one is a tortilla filled with calabasa blooms.

Have you ever seen anything like this?

Blue corn tortillas actually don't taste any different than yellow corn tortillas, but they make such a bold statement!

This tortilla was packed with flavor and protein.

Because the weather in Guanajuato is fairly moderate, outdoor cafes are abundant. There is plenty of sunshine, social activity and delicious food choices.

Another common site is an agua fresca vendor. The first jug is horchata, a sweet drink made from rice powder and sugar, the second one is made from fresh strawberries. Squeezed in behind the strawberry jar is one filled with mango agua fresca and the next is blackberry juice and water. The vendor is dipping from a fifth jug that holds pineapple juice and water.

Take-away drinks are placed in plastic bags and you are given a straw. These drinks really hit the spot on a hot day.

Blackberry agua frescas are a little more rare to find, so we decided to spring for one. Most restaurants sell these delicious drinks and you can buy them by the pitcher, called jarras, if you so prefer.

If you would rather have a brew or a tequila you will find plenty of cantinas from which to choose. We enjoy the ones with the swinging doors, just like in the wild west movies. The name of this bar is Free Guanajuato, referring to the Mexican Revolutionary times.

Notice the frogs on the swinging doors.

Isn't this just a classic photo?

We were in yet another outdoor cafe eating lunch at the time and this man sat down to relax.

The city comes alive at night. The Teatro Juarez is packed! Can you see the people on the steps waiting to get in?

Out and about for a night on the town, we run into these Renaissance minstrels, who are probably theater students from the University of Guanajuato. University towns are an energetic place to live with no shortage of events to attend.

We met these clowns at plaza Embajaderos. We were eating fresh pulpo and shrimp cocktails at the immaculate seafood stand right under the watchful eye of Lady Liberty when these wise guys showed up and immediately started clowning around.

For 30 Pesos each serving, these seafood cocktails were remarkably fresh, tasty and packed full to the top.  They were easily some of the best we have ever had.

This very enjoyable visit to the city of Guanajuato finished up our Ten Day Adventure through the Mexican High Sierra. Why not utilize our information and plan a trip there for yourself?