What Happened
The Administrative Unit of Reverted Assets, part of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, reaffirmed that informal sales of food and beverages are prohibited on Calzada de Amador under Executive Decree No. 40 of Sept. 30, 2025.
The reminder comes as unauthorized commercial activity continues in the tourist area despite ongoing enforcement actions, warnings and meetings held by authorities over the past two years.
Rules for the Amador tourist area
Authorities said the decree bans commercial activity in non-concessioned spaces within the Amador Tourist Project. The restriction is meant to keep business operations within the legal framework established for the area.
The agency also said the situation affects formal businesses that operate in Amador and comply with state payments, health regulations and job creation requirements.
What is allowed and what is not
According to the agency, the sale of crafts by Panamanian street vendors is allowed under specific conditions. However, selling food, beverages or other products in unauthorized public spaces remains illegal.
The agency also warned about complaints involving people who allegedly charge informal vendors while promising permits or representation. It stressed that no authorization exists for these kinds of sales in Amador.
Enforcement and broader impact
Officials said alternatives have been proposed to help some vendors formalize their activity in permitted areas, but those options have not been accepted. The agency also noted that vendors have been detected operating at multiple points in Amador and other parts of Panama City.
Control operations in the area will continue as authorities seek to enforce the rules governing one of the capital’s best-known tourist corridors. Calzada de Amador, which links several islands at the Pacific entrance to the Panama Canal, is a major destination for visitors and local businesses alike.