Sight guide · Guadalajara · Mexico
Visiting Plaza de los Mariachis
A small square beside the church of San Juan de Dios, where mariachi bands in charro suits wait to be hired for songs at the restaurant tables.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Isacdaavid, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Quick answer
Plaza de los Mariachis is a landmark in Centro Histórico, Guadalajara. Allow 1 hour; it is low cost. Booking ahead is not usually needed.
Key facts
- Type
- Landmark
- Area
- Centro Histórico
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Book ahead
- Not usually needed
- Good for
- after dark and history
- Best months
- January–February and May
About Plaza de los Mariachis
A small square beside the church of San Juan de Dios, where mariachi bands in charro suits wait to be hired for songs at the restaurant tables. It is a historic gathering place for musicians rather than a polished venue.
Tip: Agree the price per song before the band plays, and visit in the early evening rather than late at night.
Plan your visit
- Time needed: 1 hour.
- Cost: Low cost.
- Book ahead: not usually needed; buy on arrival.
- Where: Centro Histórico, cathedral plazas, murals and the big covered market.
Best time to visit Plaza de los Mariachis
To avoid the biggest crowds, aim for the quietest of the good months:
- February: 27°C (81°F) highs, about 1 rainy days, quiet crowds.
- January: 25°C (77°F) highs, about 2 rainy days, quiet crowds.
- May: 33°C (91°F) highs, about 3 rainy days, quiet crowds.
When to visit Guadalajara has the full month-by-month picture.
Fit it into your trip
Our 3-day Guadalajara itinerary visits Plaza de los Mariachis on day 1, together with Guadalajara Cathedral, Hospicio Cabañas and Lucha libre at Arena Coliseo.
- No. 3 of the 18 sights in our Guadalajara things-to-do list.
- Day 1 of the 1-day plan.
- Day 1 of the 2-day plan.
- Day 1 of the 5-day plan.
- One of the picks in historic sites in Guadalajara.
Near Plaza de los Mariachis
Also in Centro Histórico, so you can walk between them:
- Mercado San Juan de Dios — 1–2 hours, low cost
- Museo Regional de Guadalajara — 1–1.5 hours, low cost
- Plaza Tapatía — 30–45 minutes, free
Staying near Plaza de los Mariachis
Stay in Centro Histórico ($$) to walk here: cathedral plazas, murals and the big covered market. All areas to stay in Guadalajara.
Questions travellers ask
+How long do you need at Plaza de los Mariachis?
Plan 1 hour. With Mercado San Juan de Dios nearby, it fits a half-day in Centro Histórico.
+Is Plaza de los Mariachis free?
No, it is low cost. Tickets are usually available on the day.
+When is the best time to visit Plaza de los Mariachis?
January–February and May, the quietest of the good months. Agree the price per song before the band plays, and visit in the early evening rather than late at night.
+Do I need to book Plaza de los Mariachis in advance?
Usually not: you can decide on the day.