The municipality of Arona has introduced a new night-time traffic measure in Las Verónicas, one of the best-known nightlife areas of Playa de las Américas in southern Tenerife. From now on, vehicles are no longer allowed to drive or park there daily between 10:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. on the road running parallel to Avenida Rafael Puig Lluvina. Only emergency services and vehicles expressly authorised by the municipality are exempt from the ban.
Extra safety
The measure is mainly intended to improve safety and organisation in this busy area. Las Verónicas attracts many visitors in the evening and at night, including tourists, hospitality workers and local residents. According to the municipality, the decision was taken after months of observing traffic and pedestrian behaviour in the area. It was found that cars often obstruct traffic flow, supervision and possible interventions during peak hours.
Mayor Fátima Lemes describes the intervention as a matter of “management and safety”. By keeping vehicles out of the area during the busiest hours of the night, more space should be created for pedestrians and for services that need to be able to reach the scene quickly in an emergency. The local police also expect the measure to make their work easier, as officers will be better able to act in an area where large numbers of people gather in a short period of time.
Many questions remain for now
For visitors, this means they will need to take a different approach to arriving and leaving. Anyone going to Las Verónicas in the evening will have to park outside the closed-off zone or use taxis, public transport or other means of transport. This may have practical consequences, especially for people with reduced mobility or for employees finishing work late.
For the time being, several questions remain unanswered. For example, it is not yet clear whether additional parking spaces will be provided for staff, residents or regular users of the area. It has also not been confirmed whether the municipality will introduce extra camera surveillance or additional safety measures. The latter is relevant because business owners in Las Verónicas have long been calling for more control and supervision in the neighbourhood.
Finding a balance
The new rules are part of a wider discussion about the future of tourist nightlife areas in Tenerife. Municipalities are increasingly looking for a balance between nightlife, safety, quality of life and tourist appeal. Las Verónicas remains an important nightlife area, but the municipality of Arona clearly wants to gain greater control over public space during the busiest hours.
For people aged 50 and over who visit Tenerife or live on the island, this is particularly useful practical information. An evening out in Playa de las Américas remains possible, but anyone travelling by car would be wise to plan in advance where to park and how to return afterwards.
Photo: AI ChatGPT
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