Hi. I did not hang out very late in the Zocolo. The Friday night that I was there, it was very active at about 8:30 p.m. I felt completely safe everywhere I went in Oaxaca. I was studying at the Spanish Immersion school and the teachers went over the dangerous areas of Oaxaca. In any foreign country, I usually am back at my hotel or room by at least 9 p.m. Just trying to be smart when I travel.

I did not see any that looked directly upon the Zócalo but there are probably a few directly surrounding it!

I was in beautiful Oaxaca the first two weeks of June 2016. At the time the protestors were mainly in the zocalo area, although there were a couple of very large protest marches one block from my hotel. I never felt threatened or in danger. The presence of the protestors in the main square along with the remodeling of the Benito Juarez market was more of an inconvenience for me as a tourist. I did take one day tour to outlying villages and was warned that we might encounter roadblocks on our way back to Oaxaca, but this did not happen. I flew directly into and out of Oaxaca so did not encounter any transportation problems with buses. There were very few tourists when I was there, and sometimes certain restaurants and businesses were closed. Again, more of an inconvenience than a problem for me and I just made the best of it. I thoroughly enjoyed Oaxaca and hope to return as soon as possible. This was just my experience and it would be difficult to advise you as it seems this is a fluid and ever changing situation. If you don't make it to Oaxaca this year I would recommend a visit in the future as the city and its people have much to offer. I have traveled extensively throughout Mexico and Oaxaca is my favorite city.

We finally stayed at Trébol, just two blocks south of the Zocalo, and directly across from the big Benito Jaurez Market; we love it and it was unbelievably inexpensive. See my review posted 2 March 2016 -- the first of many very good reviews for this excellent little accommodation.