{"id":14499,"date":"2026-07-08T09:08:00","date_gmt":"2026-07-08T14:08:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/?p=14499"},"modified":"2026-07-07T23:13:46","modified_gmt":"2026-07-08T04:13:46","slug":"casco-antiguo-bans-heavy-vehicles-to-protect-streets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/politics-government\/casco-antiguo-bans-heavy-vehicles-to-protect-streets\/","title":{"rendered":"Casco Antiguo Bans Heavy Vehicles to Protect Streets"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The cobblestones of the Casco Antiguo of Panama City<\/a> have seen centuries of history. Now they face a new challenge from modern tourism. Since July 1, officials have enforced a strict ban on large tourist buses, cargo trucks, and any vehicle exceeding seven tons in this UNESCO-protected neighborhood. The move aims to save the aging infrastructure from further damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Residents have long complained about crumbling roads. The intersection of Ninth Street and Central Avenue has become a particular headache, with heavy traffic causing congestion and safety risks. Local shop owners say the deteriorating pavement hurts business. Tourists struggle to navigate broken sidewalks and potholed streets near the Avenida B crossing. These conditions, neighbors argue, undermine the very charm that draws visitors to this colonial gem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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‘The goal is to preserve our historical heritage while improving mobility and safety for everyone’ [Translated from Spanish]<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

The regulation itself is not new. It comes from Executive Decree No. 51, signed in April 2004 and published in the Official Gazette. That document created the Manual of Standards and Procedures for Restoration and Rehabilitation of the Casco Antiguo. For over two decades, the rules existed on paper but enforcement was inconsistent. Now the Panama Ministry of Culture<\/a> has decided to apply them strictly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A post shared by La Prensa Panama\u0301 (@prensacom)<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/blockquote>\n