Denise
@ddmcghee
American expat in Panama
Forum posts
1944
Contacts
9
About me
American, Married
Lives in Alto Boquete, ChiriquÃ, Panam
Speaks English
Registration: 15 May 2017
Activity
How to meet expats in Panama by Panama_expat_DRH
I am a retiree considering moving to Panama in the Boquete or Volcan areas. How do I connect with expats already living in the area for help and guidance with the move? I also want to make new friends before I take my first trip to Panama.
We fly into David's Enrique Malek Airport (DAV). It's just 45 minutes from downtown Boquete. Read More
What to expect at residency appt at DGM? by Mila V
My appointment is this upcoming Thursday and I just want to know what to expect with that appointment and the medical appointment after? The residency is through family reunification if that helpsAlso, they are charging me an overstay fee for 3-9 ...
@ryzik68 We never had an "interview" when we first applied - no questions about why we wanted residency or anything like that. Maybe I'm misremembering the pictures and fingerprints on that first visit, maybe that wasn't until we were approved and ... Read More
Buying a vespa by Denbo
Hi EveryoneSo we have bought a townhome in a gated community white sands which is large. We would be staying here 4 months thru winter (No more snow and cold ) We can walk to beach, market etc. its about 15 to 20 minutes but with heat, trying to ...
Also, please get a helmet! Even if you're only riding in your community, you will be sharing the road with motorcycles and cars, and you need to be safe! Read More
What to expect at residency appt at DGM? by Mila V
My appointment is this upcoming Thursday and I just want to know what to expect with that appointment and the medical appointment after? The residency is through family reunification if that helpsAlso, they are charging me an overstay fee for 3-9 ...
I agree with Planner on the fee! I would hate paying it on principle, but would do it to expedite the process. I don't know if family reunification has a different process, but as pensioners, the appointment was just having our fingerprints and ... Read More
Shipping household items and clothes from the D.R. to the U.S. by ppauley
My wife and I are unfortunately having to move back to the U.S. for medical reasons after just four years here in Sosúa. We’ve accumulated a modest amount of small household items and clothing that we’d like to ship ...
@rehher123 Our shipment was picked up on 12/26 in Las Terrenas, and delivered to us in Panama on 2/14. The holidays slowed things down a bit, and I think was a miscommunication between the Panama and the DR company. We arrived in Panama on 1/2, and ... Read More
Shipping household items and clothes from the D.R. to the U.S. by ppauley
My wife and I are unfortunately having to move back to the U.S. for medical reasons after just four years here in Sosúa. We’ve accumulated a modest amount of small household items and clothing that we’d like to ship ...
@ppauley Try contacting Dominican International Movers. We moved to Panama earlier this year and used a Panamanian company for the move, but they contracted with DIM for everything on the DR side of the move. The movers actually showed up early, ... Read More
Getting Retirement payments by jimgh
Does anyone here care to share some details of how you get your retirement money from the United states. I spoke with my TRS Teacher Retirement System people and they said they would not deposit directly to a Panamanian bank. When I retire to ...
If you’re asking me, I never said that there was a Panama bank that didn’t charge fees. I was saying that I don’t have a sending fee on the U.S. side. My account at Wells Fargo allows me to send unlimited domestic and international ... Read More
Getting Retirement payments by jimgh
Does anyone here care to share some details of how you get your retirement money from the United states. I spoke with my TRS Teacher Retirement System people and they said they would not deposit directly to a Panamanian bank. When I retire to ...
@NothingNew Not always true - I can send from my US bank for free based on my account type. You can also deposit a check from a US bank for as little as $10 depending on which bank you have in Panama. Read More
Federal Benefit Units FBU (for Americans) by NothingNew
Although this is being posted in the Panama Discussion Group it's actually applies to other countries. Again this only applies to Americans.If you are an American and receive Social Security, Civil Service, Veterans, Railroad and Department of Labor ...
For Panama, the FBU is in Costa Rica, but they visit Panama City and Boquete fairly frequently to provide citizen services. Read More
How to meet expats in Panama by Panama_expat_DRH
I am a retiree considering moving to Panama in the Boquete or Volcan areas. How do I connect with expats already living in the area for help and guidance with the move? I also want to make new friends before I take my first trip to Panama.
@bodyandsoulfitness I've only been here a short time, but I don't find that to be the case at all! There are tons of hiking groups, pickleball, volunteer opportunities, game nights, and more. Read More
New members of the Panama forum, introduce yourselves here - 2026 by Julien
Hi all, Newbie on the Panama forum? Don't know how to start? This thread is for you ;) We invite you to introduce yourself on this topic, to share with us your expat story if you are already living in the country, or to tell us more on your ...
@Morena39 After 5.5 years in the Dominican Republic, we moved to Panama in January. One of the primary reasons we moved is that where we were in DR, Las Terrenas on the Samana Peninsula, we were 2.5-4 hours away from anything other than very basic ... Read More
Buying stuff online from abroad by expatslu
What is the deal in Panama with buying online? eg Amazon, Etsy type things. Do you need ID and pay taxes like in other Latam countries?
I've ordered from Amazon with delivery to Panama. When you add a Panamanian address, you are required to provide your passport number for customs payments. I keep my shipments under $100 to avoid import duty. One thing I've noticed - some items show ... Read More
Computer store in Las Terrenas or Nagua? by wondering9
Hello, can anyone recommend a store selling computer accessories in either Las Terrenas or Nagua? My laptop is on strike and I need to buy a wired external keyboard. Unfortunately I need it quickly (🤣😪). Thanks for any tips!
@wondering9 Sorry - just seeing this! If you still need one, you can check with Compulandia, Figitec, Deposito (consignment) or what they call the "USA" store - it's a thrift store with all kinds of stuff! Read More
Getting Retirement payments by jimgh
Does anyone here care to share some details of how you get your retirement money from the United states. I spoke with my TRS Teacher Retirement System people and they said they would not deposit directly to a Panamanian bank. When I retire to ...
Look at Charles Schwab International checking accounts. They work well for US citizens who no longer have U.S. residency. They will reimburse you for ATM fees, so you can withdraw cash from that account and either use the cash or deposit it into a ... Read More
ATM question by expatslu
Hi, I'm due to visit Panama soon, and will be opening a bank account. I'm told I need $5k in cash to do this. Where is there an ATM that allows larger amounts to be withdrawn, or what other suggestions would you have? Is the lawyer winding me up ...
$250 per withdrawal is the limit for any non-Panamanian ATM card. And you will be charged $7.20 per withdrawal. Most ATMs only allow two consecutive withdrawals, then you have to find another ATM, preferably with another bank.I do not have a bank ... Read More