Denise
@ddmcghee
American expat in Panama
Forum posts
1953
Contacts
9
About me
American, Married
Lives in Alto Boquete, ChiriquÃ, Panam
Speaks English
Registration: 15 May 2017
About
My husband and I are currently living in Alto Boquete, Panama. Previously, we were expats in Las Terrenas, Dominican Republic, from July 2020 until the end of 2025.
Occupation
I am retired for retired
Education
Georgia State University
Master of Business Administration (MBA), Operations Management
1996
Georgia State University
Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), Human Resource Management
1989
My expat journey
Alto Boquete, Chiriquí, Panama
Las Terrenas, Samaná, Dominican Republic
Charlotte, North Carolina, USA
Activity
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 ...
@Javion7322 We’ve only been here since January, so we are in our first rainy season! We’re in Alto Boquete, near the checkpoint, so we don’t get as much rain as Bajo Boquete. Read More
Getting around with your pet in Panama by Cheryl
Hello everyone, Living in Panama with a pet also means learning how to navigate local transport systems together. From daily commutes to occasional trips, you have to navigate betwwen local rules and real-life experiences. Whether you’re a ...
@Darin&SallyPlease familiarize yourself with the process of bringing an animal into Panama and then back to the US! To bring an animal into Panama, your dog will need vaccines not standard in the US, an international health certificate completed ... Read More
How to run AC cheaply ? by Scott Holmes
I am new and never been to Dominican Republic. My wife has. We are in process of purchasing a 3 bedroom house in Bravos. The house has 4 AC units. From what I seen online cost of living articles AC can cause very high electric bill. It ...
What Planner said!Also, try running your unit on dehumidify - it's more energy efficient than AC and is often all you need. Even during the hottest months, we often just needed to lower the humidity to have the bedroom cool enough for comfortable ... Read More
Women’s health and support systems in Dominican Republic by Cheryl
Hello everyone, Living in Dominican Republic often means navigating a new healthcare system and social norms, particularly around women’s health. From finding the right medical support to understanding what’s openly discussed or not, ...
I tried and tried but could not schedule a screening mammogram in DR! I contacted a number of hospitals and clinics and because I didn't have a problem, they wouldn't schedule one! The concept of screening wasn't something they could grasp!I also ... Read More
Health Insurance 2026 by planner
We can't seem to find a thread on just this topic so I opened one. Disclosure: I have a very large private health group! I have been actively managing it for I think 15 years. Some basics: Get your insurance before you turn 65 or you will have ...
@rehher123 If you have a need to file taxes in DR, then I would definitely recommend hiring a Dominican accountant to assist with that. If you don't have a business in the DR or earn income in DR, you shouldn't have any taxes to file. Read More
Creepy crawlies by gregstuartgs
Hi everyone, I am new here, I am Canadian and considering a full time move to Panama to retire. I have the means I think for a pretty decent life, better then in Canada because it is so expensive here lol...Anyways, Panama looks beautiful with nice ...
I'm in Alto Boquete. In the almost 5 months we've been here, I've not seen a single snake or scorpion, and only little house spiders. I'm disappointed in the lack of spiders here - while in the DR, I developed a fondness for the Huntsman spiders ... Read More
Desperately Looking for a Home for Rescued Dog by dogperson065
Hi everyone! Coming on here because I really need help finding a home for this sweet dog I rescued in Santiago. I rescued her while I was on vacation and to be completely honest, it was more instinct than anything because I knew she probably ...
Have you tried posting in Santiago Facebook groups? Or groups for other nearby areas? Read More
Best way to ship household items from Florida to Panama by Tom Christy
What is the best way to ship household items, no vehicle, no large appliance's, no large furniture, just 3 bikes, household kitchen items (plates, small appliances, glasses, silverware, pots, etc.), normal house everyday items so you don't have to ...
I'm a big believer in not getting rid of stuff you use just to replace it! We moved from the US to the Dominican Republic and took a 40' container, including a vehicle. We moved to Panama from the DR earlier this year and shipped about 2 pallets ... 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.
There are several flights each day back and forth between PTY and DAV on Copa. This is best if you are coming from outside Panama and connecting to David. To just fly between the two cities, Air Panama also offers flights from PAC (Allbrook) to ... 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.
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