Darlene
@planner
Canadian expat in Dominican Republic
Forum posts
17841
Contacts
601
About me
Canadian
Lives in Santo Domingo
Speaks English, Spanish
Registration: 27 December 2010
About
I am originally from Canada with over 21 years here in the DR! My background is in finance and marketing and here I have done all kinds of consulting work! My work has taken me all over this beautiful country and into many different aspects of life here. I have consulted in construction, tourism, Human Resources, Recovery Homes, new business start up and expansion and relocation of both individuals and companies! My expertise and experience is vast and my true interest is in bettering the lives of the people here. I want to make a difference in everything I do. On a personal level my passion is latin dancing - keeps me young!
Currently I own and run a large Medical Insurance Group. It is actively managed so we keep the premiums reasonable. In addition I own part of and run Quantum IT Solutions. We have 56 programmers and we are currently expanding. I own Hirise Services which provides a number of services to individuals and companies. I own a Hyperabaric Chamber providing services to retired military and others here. I own Business Services and Solutions, we assist expats to move, get set up, open companies and provide management services.
Yes its a lot, but I have great help and I love what I do!
My expat journey
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
I have lived all over this island and helped more people than I can count!
I am a business consultant and manager.
I love my life here, it is full of latin flavor!
British Columbia, Dominican Republic
Professional Financial Planner for 13 years. Stockbroker for 2years.
I am Canadian and always will be, I love Canada
It is too damn cold and that is not just the climate.
Canada
Activity
All work (online also) DR is illegal without legal status in DR by windeguy
There is a new set of laws regarding working in the DR.聽 I asked the question about people who enter on a tourist card and work online (or off line or between the line or under the line 馃榾 in the DR).聽 That is because all work done ...
I agree, it is difficult. Not impossible but difficult. I assume the powers that be have other priorities! Read More
Transportation from POP to Las Terrenas by rfortinsz
Hello everyone!I will be arriving in Puerto Plata in 5 days (on the 31st of July) and am searching for the best rideshare service to Las Terrenas. I haven鈥檛 had any luck online so far, only seeing private rides. Having 2 large suitcases plus ...
There is no rideshare service that I am aware of. Private transportation or public transportation. Sorry! Read More
Where are Pakistan Community in the Dominican Republic ? by mdeze
WE have a Documentary Serie on Pakistanais living in the Dominican Republic . Is there a specific region where they settle? Any among Pakistanais anyone experienced with Filming ? Thanks in advance for your collaboration.
This thread is 3 1/2 years old Read More
New regulations about to be applied for short term rentals? by windeguy
https://dr1.com/news/2026/07/21/new-rules-for-short-term-rental-owners/Dominican short-term rental operators are protesting that the Ministry of Tourism may implement new rules to regulate their business. The drafts were circulated for public review ...
I don't think this is unfair at all. Those living in condos and apt towers complain all the time about air bnb rentals destroying their quality of life. Why should hotels and resorts pay taxes that air bnb owners don't have to pay? Rental income ... Read More
Cruffman - Mike Logan by planner
I have just learned that Mike has passed away! Mike helped many many expats get the vehicles they were looking for. He was a wealth of knowledge in the car industry and will be missed! He was also a really nice guy, humble as hell and very ...
@ajthomas23 Mike has struggled with his health since a bad battle with Covid. The last time I saw him he was not looking well at all. Read More
Buying furniture in Punta Cana by chachacourt
Hi everyone,I recently purchased a condo in B谩varo, Punta Cana in the BORN development. I鈥檓 a Realtor in the U.S. and hope to eventually expand into selling real estate in the Dominican Republic as well.The condo will primarily be for ...
@Scott Holmes Your best bet for that would be Jumbo, one of their larger stores. La Sirena is also an option. Read More
Completing the tourist immigration card online before travel to the DR by Expatlife4us
Hi Forum, it has been a couple of years since we have been able to get back to the DR. We have a place in Sosua Ocean Village and I am trying to complete the online form. It asks what province, what municipality and section where you are staying. It ...
Once you select Puerto Plata as the province then you should have other options.Sometimes what appears is dependent on the browser you are using. Many many govt apps here work better using Explorer rather than others! The govt doesn't pay their IT ... Read More
Cruffman - Mike Logan
I have just learned that Mike has passed away! Mike helped many many expats get the vehicles they were looking for. He was a wealth of knowledge in the car industry and will be missed! He was also a really nice guy, humble as hell and very ... Read More
Please help our Villa in Sos煤a getting robbed. by markwilkinsonappliancerepair
We live in the USA and own a Villa in Sos煤a, LaMulata 3.We had our own cameras put up and that was working fine until the internet went out and we are the only ones that have the keys to our main house so that the internet can get reconnected ...
@markwilkinsonappliancerepair I sent you a private message Read More
Please help our Villa in Sos煤a getting robbed. by markwilkinsonappliancerepair
We live in the USA and own a Villa in Sos煤a, LaMulata 3.We had our own cameras put up and that was working fine until the internet went out and we are the only ones that have the keys to our main house so that the internet can get reconnected ...
@searea55 My guess is if he knew someone who could help he would not be posting in a forum! Read More
Hello Perla Marina and Residencial Hispaniola house owners! by Pablolsundsbo
I hope it is okay that I share this post here. I am simply trying to connect with other homeowners and HomeExchange members who love this beautiful are. I'm not selling anything or affiliated with HomeExchange. I'm simply hoping more Perla Marina ...
Welcome to the forums! Let's hope others who are connected to the area reach out to you and post here. Read More
Please help our Villa in Sos煤a getting robbed. by markwilkinsonappliancerepair
We live in the USA and own a Villa in Sos煤a, LaMulata 3.We had our own cameras put up and that was working fine until the internet went out and we are the only ones that have the keys to our main house so that the internet can get reconnected ...
You are going to need to make a trip here with the keys. No one can just install a system from the outside! Security systems need the internet and a backup system will require some kind of contract. Or Skylink or whatever it's called. You may ... Read More
Buying furniture in Punta Cana by chachacourt
Hi everyone,I recently purchased a condo in B谩varo, Punta Cana in the BORN development. I鈥檓 a Realtor in the U.S. and hope to eventually expand into selling real estate in the Dominican Republic as well.The condo will primarily be for ...
@chachacourt It's impossible to say how.much it will cost. It depends on your taste, quality level and how fast you may want to do it.If you look up Corripio on the internet you can see different prices on appliances.Illumel and illumel outlet both ... Read More
Personal Update by planner
Many of you know me in person as well as on here. I am active pretty much every single day. I will be away starting Monday December 11 as I am having surgery in Santo Domingo.Some weeks ago I damaged my left shoulder and it just kept getting worse. ...
@mrsmayers64 Pretty sure I am not the only one confused by your post. Give us more context please and then we can help. Read More
New members of the Dominican Republic forum, introduce yourselves here - 2026 by Julien
Hi all, Newbie on the Dominican Republic 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 ...
Welcome to the forums! Lots of great info on the numerous threads. Read, ask questions, start a thread as you need to. We are here to help! Read More