Mariachi Songs to Request travel blog

Mariachi Songs To Request

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Which mariachi songs should I request?

Do you love mariachi music as much as I do? The horns, harp, guitars, trumpets, accordian, all playing in unison as the mariachis wear matching charro outfits and sombreros!

The mariachis approach your table and ask which song you want to request…

You don’t know the names of any songs, so you say La Bamba…

Even though you really enjoy the music, you may not know which songs to request. 

I am going to share mariachi songs to request for any mood and situation!  Vamanos!

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Table of Contents

Requesting mariachi songs can be super fun, but it can also feel daunting if you don’t know the names of any songs.

Whether you’re at a Mexican restaurant, hiring a mariachi band for a special event, or making a Cinco De Mayo playlist, I am going to help you with picking the right songs to make your moments just right.

Mariachi music truly captures the rich traditions of Mexico with the sombreros and matching charro clothing.  You can’t help but sing along or call out!

When you know how to request mariachis songs it can enhance your experience with the mariachis.

Although mariachi music is a genre of music on its own, it is actually very diverse.

There are sad songs, happy songs, party songs, romantic songs and more.

Let’s explore some mariachi songs that you can request when the mariachis approach your table next!

What kind of mariachi song to request

Because mariachi songs are full of emotion and vibrancy, picking the right song can really boost the mood and energy of the moment.

Always consider where you are, who you are with, and what kind of event or place that you are in.

For example, a romantic song would be great at a wedding or anniversary party, whereas a fun bar with margaritas flowing might call for a more upbeat and danceable song.

Fun Mariachi Songs to request

Sometimes we want to party and have high energy music. 

The chips and guacamole, margaritas, and sizzling fajitas go in perfect harmony with some fun mariachi music!

Some mariachi songs get you up on your feet and dancing!

If you’re looking to get the party going and increase the energy there are some great mariachi songs that can do just that!

Here are some get up and dance or sing along mariachi songs to request:

  • El Mariachi Loco
  • El Jarabe (This is the Mexican Hat Dance)
  • El Son de la Negra
  • El Aventurero
  • El Cascabel
  • La Bamba
  • Viva Mexico

Romantic Mariachi Songs

Perhaps you’re going to get engaged, celebrating an anniversary or just having a romantic night out, here are some songs that have all the feels!

The candles are glowing, the lights are dimmed, the mariachis come closer to your table… what do you request? Tequila? La Bamba? Not to keep up the romance…

Here are some songs that will keep that romantic vibe going for you.

  • La Llorona
  • Cielito Lindo
  • Hermosa Querino
  • La Malaguena
  • Amorcito Corazon
  • Mujeres Divinas
  • Hasta Que Te Conoci
  • Que Te Vaya Bonito
  • Deja que salga la luna
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Classic Mariachi Songs

There are some classically authentic songs that mariachis play regularly.

When you think mariachi these are one of the songs that probably come to your head, as well as some of the fun party songs.

You can pretty much expect that every mariachi band will know these songs.

  • Volver Volver
  • Mexico Lindo
  • Cielito Lindo
  • La Bikina
  • Guadalajara
  • Mexico en la Piel
  • Me Cance de Rogarle
  • La Negra
  • Guantanamera
  • Quien Sera

Popular Mariachi Songs

In some tourist or popular areas, there are mariachis that also play more modern songs or English-language songs.

Although some of these songs may not be traditional mariachi songs, many mariachi bands have adapted to tourists and added some songs to their playlists. 

Here are some popular mariachi songs to request.

  • La Bamba
  • Cielito Lindo
  • El Rey
  • Tequila
  • La Bikini
  • Guadalajara
  • Viva Mexico

English songs Mariachi sometimes sing

There are some bars like Pipi’s Restaurant in Puerto Vallarta.

They have a mariachi group caters to English speakers.

A few examples of English language songs that they play are:

  • Sweet Caroline
  • Hotel California
  • The Beatles covers
Another cover that mariachis often do is ‘Despacito’.

Famous Mariachi musicians

There are many famous and iconic mariachi musicians.

Instead of requesting a specific mariachi song, you could also request by musician.

You could ask them to play something by Vicente Fernandez for example.

Some of the most infamous mariachi musicians are:

  • Vicente Fernando
  • Luis Miguel
  • Juan Gabriel
  • Pedro Infante
  • Jose Alfredo Jimenez
  • Alejandro Fernandez

Celebrating a birthday with mariachi music

Mariachis can definitely bring the party and add some special touches to the birthday festivities!

I have spent many birthday surrounded by good food, and the fun energy of mariachi music to celebrate the special day!

Did you know that there is a different songs that is sung in Spanish to celebrate birthdays in Mexico? Yep!

It’s called ‘Las Manañitas’.

If it’s someones birthday, you can ask the mariachi band to play ‘Las Manañitas’.

Many mariachis will also play the English Happy Birthday song, with some mariachi flair added of course!

How do I request a mariachi song in Spanish?

If you are in Mexico or at a Mexican restaurant, you can feel free to request the mariachi songs in Spanish.

I am going to share some ways that you can request some songs.

I will share the English sentence, followed by the Spanish translation.

  • Can I request a song? Puedo pedir una cancion?
  • Could I request Cielito Lindo?  = Podria pedir Cielito Lindo?
  • Could you play El Mariachi Loco? = Podrian tocar El Mariachi Loco?
  • Can you play something by Vicente Fernandez? = Pueden tocar algo de Vicente Fernandez?’

Don’t forget your por favor (please) and thank you (gracias).

When the mariachis are done a set, and you want them to play another you can call out ‘otra!’ repeatedly.

It’s the same as calling out ‘encore’ after a concert.

Guide to enjoying Mariachis

If you would like to learn more about the protocols and the way it usually goes with mariachi experiences check out my complete guide to enjoying Mariachis.

You will learn about paying for songs, protocols, tipping, what to expect, where to often find mariachis, and much more.

If you’re looking for more tips about travelling in Mexico in general, check out the Best Mexico Travel Tips! (Read Before You Go).

Authentic Tradition

One of the first things that comes to many people’s minds when they think about Mexico is mariachis and mariachi music.

It is a 100% Mexican tradition that started in Mexico.

Where mariachi music first originated is sometimes disputed, although many people say that it first started in Guadalajara and the surrounding area of the state of Jalisco.
 
There are other people that believe that mariachi originated in the states of Nayarit, Michoacan, Zacatecas, Aguascalientes, Guanajuato, and Colima.

Best places to see mariachis in Mexico

Guadalajara

Guadalajara is a great place to visit if you want to enjoy mariachis and request your songs.

I have marked this map with 2 guaranteed places to see mariachis.

The most famous one is the Plaza de Los Mariachis.  It is an outdoor stage with seating where mariachis perform.

There are also some photo ops and fun things around the plaza.

With this map, you can also check out hotels and book your hotel in Guadalajara so you can enjoy the mariachis for even longer!

There is even a song called Guadalajara, that is how iconic Guadalajara is for mariachi music.

I recommend visiting Plaza de los Mariachis and the surrounding area.

You are guaranteed to see mariachis there, so get your requests ready!

Mexico City

Mexico City is also another great place to see mariachis.

There is also a plaza there where mariachis peform.

I have marked it on this map for you to see.

You can also book your hotel in the area using this map too.

Puerto Vallarta

Yet another great place to see mariachis isPuerto Vallarta!

Puerto Vallarta is 5 hours away from Guadalajara, so you could visit both places in one vacation.

There are buses and flights that go between the 2 locations.

Here is a map of Puerto Vallarta where I have marked some places where you can see mariachis.

The board walk is a place where you can find mariachis mingling and serenading people.

I have created the Ultimate Guide to Puerto Vallarta Boardwalk to show you around the boardwalk.

You can check it out and look for your hotel too.

For Puerto Vallarta, I definitely recommend booking in advance to get the hotel using this map.

I am also going to share a Beachfront Hotel in Puerto Vallarta review that I wrote too.

If you’re headed to Puerto Vallarta, I invite you to check out this Awesome Mariachi Restaurant in Puerto Vallarta.

They have mariachis 7 days a week – live! It is vibrantly decorated and super fun!

If you would like to know even more about seeing mariachis in Puerto Vallarta, check out my Complete Guide to Enjoy Mariachis in Puerto Vallarta!

I hope you enjoy and have lots of great experiences with mariachis!

Which mariachi songs will you request?

Do you have a favourite mariachi song??

Which mariachi song will you request at your next mariachi experience?

Tours in Mexico

In Mexico, you can go on different types of tours and excursions with Mariachi music with Viator.

There is so much variety in the type of experiences and events that you can have in Mexico.

You can check them out and book here using Viator.

Where to Stay

You can use booking.com or the maps above to book your hotel. no matter where you will be enjoying mariachis in Mexico!

Are you ready to enjoy the mariachis!

Mariachi performances are not just about the songs, but also about the energy and connection between the audience and the mariachis.

So enjoy, cheer, sing along, clap, dance, and have lots of great mariachi songs to request!

Besides being a travel blogger,  I am also a travel writer, Amazon author and an English teacher. Check out my services here!

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