Mission guide
Panama Panama City Mission
The Panama Panama City Mission serves in a tropical capital shaped by Spanish, canal, and Church history.
- Spanish
Panama Panama City Mission shirts
Every style made for this mission, printed when you order.
Panama Panama City Mission T-Shirt
$29.00
Choose size & color →
Panama Panama City Mission Heart Map Shirt
$29.00
Choose size & color →I Glory in My Jesus, in the language of this mission
2 Nephi 33:6 as it reads in the Book of Mormon for each language spoken here.
Weak Things Become Strong, in the language of this mission
"I make weak things become strong" (Ether 12:27) as it reads in the Book of Mormon for each language spoken here.
More shirts in the language of this mission
Press Forward, in the language of this mission
"Press forward with a steadfastness in Christ" (2 Nephi 31:20) as it reads in the Book of Mormon for each language spoken here.
About the mission
Spanish is the main language of the mission and the country.
At a glance
- Country
- Panama
- Main city
- Panama City (410,354 people in the city proper, 2023)
- Language
- Spanish
- Time zone
- Panama Time (UTC-5)
- Climate
- Tropical savanna, with a wet season from May through November and a dry season from December through April
- Church in Panama
- 62,946 members, 7 stakes, 77 congregations, 1 mission
A short history of the area
The city stands at the Pacific entrance of the Panama Canal and is Panama's political, administrative, banking, and commercial center. The Panama Canal was completed in 1914, and the United States transferred full control of it to Panama in 1999.
The Church here
- 1941Elder Antoine R. Ivins organized the Canal Zone Branch on May 18 for members connected with the Panama Canal area. Church membership was about 100.
- 1953The first missionaries arrived in Panama, establishing a lasting Church presence in the country.
- 1954Juan Coleman and his wife, Irene Andreve, became the first local converts baptized in Panama.
- 1961Elder Marion G. Romney gave Church literature to Panama's president, Roberto F. Chiari.
- 1965The Panamanian government officially recognized the Church, and missionary efforts began.
- 1970The first meetinghouse was completed in April on Ustopo Island.
- 1979The Panama Stake, the first stake in the country, was organized on November 11.
- 1989The Panama City Mission was created. About 10,400 members lived in Panama at the time.
Temples nearby
Panama City Panama Temple
Dedicated August 10, 2008 · Near Panama City
The Book of Mormon here
Missionaries in this mission share the Book of Mormon in these languages. Tap a cover to read it free.
Cover art is an illustration. Links open the free edition on ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
Before you go
Phrases to learn
- HolaHello
- Buenos díasGood morning
- ¿Cómo está?How are you?
- GraciasThank you
Foods to try
- Sancocho (a hearty chicken soup with vegetables and herbs)
- Ropa vieja (shredded beef cooked in a savory sauce)
- Carimañola (fried cassava dough filled with meat or cheese)
- Hojaldre (a fried, puffy bread often served at breakfast)
Fun facts
- Panama City's ruins, Panamá Viejo, are a World Heritage Site.
- Casco Antiguo became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003 and includes about 800 buildings.
- The Biomuseo, completed in 2014, was designed by architect Frank Gehry.
Just got the call?
Turn the opening into a game: family and friends guess where the missionary is going before the reveal.