Complete Guide to Enjoy Mariachis in Puerto Vallarta!
Mariachis in Puerto Vallarta
When you think Mexican music, most people think mariachi music! It’s a Mexican tradition!
It has such an authentic, beautiful and fun vibe!
If you’re heading to Puerto Vallarta, here is a complete guide for finding and enjoying mariachis in Puerto Vallarta!
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Time of year matters!
In Mexico, they have tourist seasons. They call them high season and low season.
High season is from October to April, winter time for other countries.
Low season is from May to October.
When it’s high season there are more mariachis playing in Puerto Vallarta, and more of everything ‘touristy’ too.
There are so many great opportunities to see mariachis, that you definitely need several days to be able to check them out!
From my experience, it’s important to reserve your hotel in advance, as they sell out in Puerto Vallarta. You can book your hotel here while you learn more about where to find mariachis in Mexico.
Walk the boardwalk
I am sharing this map so you can see where the boardwalk and some other key points are.
You can also check out different hotels and book them too! I really recommend booking in advance if you want a good hotel in Puerto Vallarta!
The boardwalk is where it’s at! Everything, not just mariachis!
The boardwalk in Spanish is ‘malecon’. It’s often referred to the malecon on public transportation signs if you’re taking the bus there.
If you would like to learn more about the boardwalk, check out the Ultimate Guide to Puerto Vallarta Boardwalk.
One of the best times to walk the boardwalk and to find mariachis in Puerto Vallarta is at dinner time and before sunset.
I spoke with the Mariachi Alegria Group that play along the boardwalk.
Alegria means happiness, which I feel that definitely bring to people along the boardwalk!
You can check out their photo below!
They mingle through the boardwalk on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
You can find Mariachi Alegria at restaurants such as Serrano’s Meat House and Le Dolce Vita.
They play at or outside of various restaurants along the boardwalk.
They said that they usually walk the malecon from Thursday to Sunday evenings.
I also interviewed Mariachi Azteca Real who play along the Puerto Vallarta boardwalk too.
This mariachi group also walks the malecon playing at different restaurants and bars.
You can find both of these mariachi groups while you’re walking on the boardwalk or dining at one of the restaurants.
I interviewed Raices Musica Mexicana, which is a 4-piece mariachi group. They mingle along through the boardwalk playing at different restaurants.
This group has a female mariachi who sings.
They play for tips if they enter the restaurant and start paying.
You can also request a song, and pay for them to play that song for you. If you don’t really know the names of very many mariachi songs, I’ve got you covered. Here is a guide with Mariachi Songs To Request so that you’ll be prepared when they come to you!
Some of the bars and restaurants that they frequent for playing are Los Abuelos and Hacienda San Angel.
Another mariachi group that I interviewed is Origen Mexicano. This is a group with 7 mariachis in it. (Yes, I know, my photos only has 5 of them, 2 were on break somewhere else). They also walk the boardwalk from Tuesdays to Sundays.
Some of the bars that they play at are: Sayulita Arcos, El Patron, Oasis Bay, Lobster House, La Dolce Vita, Frenchies, Pancho Villa, and more.
Origen Mexicano sings English and Spanish songs.
Casa Guadalajara
Casa Guadalajara is the up and coming restaurant with mariachis in Puerto Vallarta!
This restaurant has only been opened for 8 months now.
They have mariachis EVERYDAY! Yep, everyday!
You can read more about Casa Guadalajara in my travel blog where I featured them in Awesome Mariachi Restaurant in Puerto Vallarta.
Casa Guadalajara is open 7 days a week too! From Monday to Saturday you can get serenaded by mariachis from 7:30pm- 11:00pm.
On Sundays, the mariachis play for you from 5:00pm- 9:00pm.
They have mariachis EVERYDAY! Yep, everyday!
You can read more about Casa Guadalajara in my travel blog where I featured them in Awesome Mariachi Restaurant in Puerto Vallarta.
Casa Guadalajara is open 7 days a week too! From Monday to Saturday you can get serenaded by mariachis from 7:30pm- 11:00pm.
On Sundays, the mariachis play for you from 5:00pm- 9:00pm.
Watching the mariachi band is free, and there is no entrance cover to pay either.
The mariachi band has a tip jar by the stage, you are welcomed to add a tip to it, but it’s not required.
These are traditional mariachis that sing authentic mariachi songs in Spanish.
This restaurant looks so vibrant and energizing! They use many traditional and colourful decorations. The energy makes you want to sing and dance, which they welcome there while the mariachis are playing!
Casa Guadalajara is located in the neighbourhood of Fluvial at 234 Fluvial Vallarta.
Xolo
Xolo is a bar on the boardwalk downtown.
They have an outside patio and bar area on the boardwalk. Plus, there is an inside restaurant area.
You can see the ocean and enjoy people watching from this bar and restaurant.
On Fridays there have mariachis playing outside at 7:00pm. They don’t have a set time that they end.
It depends upon how busy it is.
They will play for at least 1 hour or up to several hours.
If you drink, be sure to get a cantarito. They make all different cocktails at the outside bar, including cantaritos.
Cantaritos are a tequila cocktail and you get to keep this neat cup shown in the picture with the bar.
The mariachis only play there during the high seasons, which is from October to March.
This bar is right on the boardwalk by the big bridge going over the river (called the Rio Cuale).
Go here to sit outside, order drinks and listen to the ocean, people going by and, of course, mariachis!
Municipal Square
When it is high season, meaning October or November until April there are mariachi performances every Sunday and Wednesday in the municipal square in Old Vallarta (downtown).
These shows are awesome, they are outside sometimes they play in the gazebo in the middle of the square.
You can catch these spectacular mariachi shows twice a week for free!
They play from 6:00pm until 7:00pm.
But, don’t leave after that, the party is just getting started!
After the mariachis finish there is a DJ and many people come to dance in the square.
It’s very fun!
FYI. This is an outdoor event, there are washrooms across the road under the arched theatre. It costs 7 pesos to use the washroom.
Even when it’s not high season, they still have the dance, but not the mariachis.
You can learn more about this free event in 8 FREE things to do in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
Las Viuda De Zapata
The mariachis play here from Thursday to Sunday each week.
You can catch live mariachis from 11:00pm to 1:00am.
The group is called Mariachi Internacional De Mexico, and there are 11 musicians in the band.
This restaurant and bar is located on the second floor of the Parota Center.
You can check out the mariachis at Avenida Francisco Villa 1010, Jardin de Las Gaviotas.
Pipis Restaurant
Pipis Restaurant has mariachis everyday too.
Now these guys may not be the most traditional mariachis, but they make it fun for sure! They will not be wearing the traditional mariachi outfit, but they play mariachi music and English songs like Sweet Caroline.
They play every day from 1:00pm until 9:30pm. They play on and off, when there are people they come and play, and they take breaks when there are less people.
On Sundays, they play from 6:00pm until 9:30pm.
Pipis is the kind of place that really caters to tourists and partying! It really is so much fun!
They have great margaritas, if you want to learn more about them, check out The 7 Best Casual Restaurants in Puerto Vallarta to learn more.
You can check out Pipis at Calle Guadalupe Sánchez 804, in the downtown.
Il Canto
This is a bar by the bridge in Old town Vallarta.
This is not a mariachi bar, but a restaurant with performances.
Sometimes there are bands or other performers.
At times there are mariachi performances. There is usually a cover to get in.
You can check out there calendar of events here: Il Canto calendar
They have a great patio outside that overlooks the river called the Rio Cuale.
Il Canto is located at Insurgentes 109, Zona Romántica (Old town).
El Patron
El Patron is located on the boardwalk.
There is a mariachi group that plays there every Friday from 7-8pm.
This hour is free, meaning that the restaurant pays for the hour.
After that hour, the mariachi will mingle around the tables, people are welcomed to request songs and then it is expected that you pay per song.
They will tell you the price per song if you ask. You can request a song that you like.
The mariachi group will stay as long as people are requesting and paying for songs.
Protocol with mariachis
What is the customary way to tip mariachis?
Well, it depends.
If you see mariachis enter a restaurant looking for people to play for, then you pay per song. They sing at your table and then you pay them cash. Sometimes they will tell you a set price per song, if not you can ask.
If you see the mariachis playing on the boardwalk for the public or outside of a restaurant. They will come around with a hat or jar and ask for tips.
Often if the mariachis are playing on a stage they will have a tip jar that you can put money in.
The word in Spanish for tip is ‘propina’, so it will often say this on the cup.
Definitely applaud and cheer!
It is tradition to cheer during the songs.
How much should I pay for a mariachi song?
Maybe you’re wondering how does it work for paying the mariachis?
What is an average price so you don’t get taken advantage of or give too little? When do you pay? How do you figure it out?
Well, I interviewed some mariachi bands and restaurants and got the scoop for you!
So, exactly how does it work for payment?
Well, of course it’s cash only.
I spoke with mariachis who accept Mexican Pesos and American dollars.
The price depends upon how many mariachi players are in the group.
The more players, the higher the pay for the mariachis.
Most typically, you pay per song. Sometimes, not as often, people can pay per hour or a different amount of time.
After asking several mariachi groups and restaurants that host mariachis, the price range varies.
In Mexican Pesos, the price ranges from 150-500 Mexican pesos for a song.
Once you notice how many mariachis are in the group, it will help to guide with an appropriate price.
Tipping versus Paying for a Song
If there is an official mariachi performance on a stage. then you do not have to pay them, but there is usually a tip jar somewhere by where the band is playing.
People are welcomed to leave a tip of any amount that they like, but it is not required as the bar has paid the mariachis to perform.
If the mariachi group is mingling from location to location or table to table then you pay for your song that you request.
Sometimes, the restaurant hires the band to play for 1 hour, after that hour, they are done their set for the bar.
They will often mingle through the restaurant and approach each table and ask if they want a song. If a table of people ask for a song, then there is a set price for that song or songs.
So basically, here is the difference between giving a tip for the performance and paying for the song.
If you come across the mariachis performing on the boardwalk or if they enter the restaurant and start playing, you can tip whatever you want.
When you call them to your table to play a song, or they approach your table and ask to play a song for you, then you pay for the song.
Ask the band how much, as each band has a set price. Feel free to ask, as I find sometimes they don’t tell you the price first.
It’s usually fine to pay after the song, but if you want to play before that’s ok too.
Can I request a mariachi song?
YES! You can definitely request songs. If they are playing for you and your group specifically, then they will ask you which song.
If they are playing on a stage, some people will yell out a song for them to play between songs.
There are some mariachis that only play Spanish songs, while others play some English songs.
If you want to request a mariachi song but you don’t really know hte names of a lot or mariachi songs, chech out Mariachi Songs To Request. There is even a guide that shows different ways to ask for a mariachi song in Spanish!
I don't know any names of mariachi songs...
Some mariachi groups have adapted more to tourism and have added some fun or romantic songs in English to their set of songs that they play.
Some common English songs that I have heard mariachis perform are Hotel California and Sweet Caroline.
I know those are not typical mariachi songs, but the bands are giving the tourists a song that they request.
If you don’t know any names of mariachi songs, you can say something like:
- a romantic song
- an upbeat or fun song
- a traditional Mexican song
- play your favourite song (the mariachis favourite song)
- hum the tune
- A love song
- A party song
- Cielito Lindo
- Mariacho Loco
- Guadalajara
- El Rey
If you want to know more check out my complete guide with Mariachi Songs To Request.
Should I sing along?
YES! Enjoying a mariachi performance is an interactive experience!
They love it when you sing along, or cheer!
Every single mariachi musician that I asked said that they love it when people cheer and sing along with them!
It’s very traditional for people to call out and cheer during the songs.
It is not at all considered rude or disrespectful as it would be if you started singing with the opera singer or some other types of performances.
Mariachis- here we come!
So, are you pumped up to go enjoy a mariachi band!?!
Which place do you want to check out first?
Let me know in the comment section below.
Looking for more activities in Puerto Vallarta?
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You can also check out 8 FREE things to do in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
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Besides being a travel blogger, I am also a travel writer, Amazon author, and an English teacher.
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The Comments
Carly rae
Can you tell me how to hire a mariachi band? For a wedding?
Lorraine Black
> Carly raeHi Carly rae, yes for sure. My husband and I actually did hire a mariachi band for our wedding. We got business cards from a mariachi band that we saw. You could also find their Facebook or Instagram page to contact them. A few points to know: the price varies depending on how many musicians you want to play for you. Of course the number of hours that they will play for can determine the price. You can also send them a playlist of songs that you do or do not want to hear. You could also coordinate a certain song to go with the cutting of the cake or some part of the wedding. Please let me know if you have any other questions. Enjoy!
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[…] If you love mariachis as much as I do, and you want to make sure that you get to enjoy them, be sure to read my Complete Guide to Enjoy Mariachis in Puerto Vallarta! […]
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[…] There are often mariachis on the boardwalk especially in the evenings. If you want to learn about where you can find mariachis on the boardwalk, or about the protocols check out the Complete Guide to Enjoy Mariachis in Puerto Vallarta! […]