Tehuacan
I was there last week, for my second time. Only because it was on the way to some other place. Otherwise my advice is to not go there. It's really boring. It is on the way to the Tehucan Cuicatlan Biosfera reserva, but if you have a particular interest in that place (which I've visited several times and really like) just get a direct AU bus from Mexico City, or go to Oaxaca first and visit from there
San Juan Bautista Tuxtepec
You're not serious. The most violent place in Oaxaca. If you're going to avoid Acapulco (with good reason), then why wouldn't you avoid Tuxtepec as well. There are lots of lovely, interesting and safe places to visit in Mexico and Oaxaca. Don't go to Tuxtepec (or Juchitan either).
Between Mexico City, Puebla, Oaxaca, and the coast (Puerto Escondido, Mazunte, Zipolite, Puerto Angel and Huatulco), you have more than enough places to visit in two weeks.
The most violent place in Oaxaca
That's just silly! I thought you realized this wasn't true and that it was actually "the most pineapples" in Oaxaca. AGAIN?
Juchitan is just fine too except for that one time years ago with that one lady who disappeared. Let's cut out the nonsense here... Mexico City is statistically FAR more dangerous than either of these, and it's also a relatively safe place with a few notable exceptions.
Then again, I wouldn't include either on a 2-week itinerary are they are both for more advanced Oaxaca hounds, but still... Tuxtepec is not the most "violent" place in the state, that would be the sketchy barrios around Oaxaca City without question.
with that one lady who disappeared
Are you talking about the Chinese American traveler who disappeared or the young doctor (whose father was the head of the local cartel) running for mayor who was assassinated? Even my local contacts here in Oaxaca say better to avoid Juchitan. Anyway, I give advice based upon my experiences.
Yes, I am referring to that one Chinese American traveler who went missing many years ago.
local contacts here in Oaxaca
"Local contacts" will almost always say better to avoid CDMX – "muy peligroso" they say.
A politician was killed in a Mexico town? HIJOLE... Should've told us to sit down first!
How about a few months ago when various members of AMLO's party were killed in and around Oaxaca City itself just months ago, one of nearly 2 dozen in the state last year alone.
Tuxtepec and Juchitan are no more dangerous for visitors than other parts of Oaxaca. The places tourists need to avoid are the city slums and prostitution dens in the south of the city, including Santa Cruz Xoxocotlan, not any towns around the state. Pretty much the scariest things for visitors in these areas are overenthusiastic dancers with fruit on their heads and transgender muxes.
Meanwhile in CDMX, an American woman was just killed by a stray bullet in an "upscale" area, and a gang war in Garibaldi claimed several lives. Where is the hand-wringing? The classification of CDMX in the same travel advisory category of Syria and Iraq? OH LOOK PINEAPPLES!
...another important reminder of how unhelpful the word "dangerous" can be. Regardless of that, it's still a very safe neighborhood for tourists to walk around in, with lots of restaurants and hotels. It's basically the city's "upscale" neighborhood, which is why there are more robberies (and crimes that get reported).
Others OTOH, e.g. south or southwest of the Central de Abastos, are absolutely not and are actually dangerous. It's a pretty key distinction.
Dang though, reading the article, how could there possibly not be a code red no-go advisory out on the entire barrio? You know, like the one Patzcuaro has? Come on, you guys are the ones with state department contacts! You've got to warn people!
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