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Carnival in Brazil is one of the most famous celebrations in the world – a spectacular mix of music, dance, tradition and community spirit. Held every year in the days leading up to Lent, Carnival is a moment when streets fill with vibrant parades, dazzling costumes and the infectious energy of samba.<\/p>
Whether in Rio de Janeiro, Salvador, São Paulo or Recife, each region of Brazil brings its unique style to the festival, making it a deeply rooted cultural tradition. For those living abroad, staying connected to family and friends during Carnival is essential. With Paysend, you can support your loved ones back home, helping them make the most of this unforgettable celebration.<\/p>
The history behind Brazil’s Carnival<\/h2>
Carnival’s origins trace back to European festivals brought to Brazil by Portuguese settlers in the 17th century. These celebrations were inspired by Catholic traditions, marking the last days of indulgence before Lent’s fasting period.<\/p>
Over time, African, Indigenous and Portuguese influences merged to create the unique Brazilian Carnival we know today. The introduction of samba – a music and dance style with deep African roots – became a defining feature, turning Carnival into the spectacular, rhythmic event it is today.<\/p>
Key Carnival celebrations across Brazil<\/h2>
Rio de Janeiro:<\/strong> Home to the world-famous Sambadrome parades, where top samba schools compete in elaborate floats and performances.<\/li>
Salvador:<\/strong> Known for its electric street parties, with massive crowds following live music trucks.<\/li>
Recife & Olinda: <\/strong>Famous for frevo dancing and massive street parades, featuring the iconic giant puppets.<\/li>
São Paulo: <\/strong>Hosts Sambadrome parades similar to Rio but with its own distinct flair and local traditions.<\/li><\/ul>
Carnival is more than just a party – it’s a cultural showcase that brings communities together, honoring Brazil’s history, music and artistic flair.<\/p>
Why sending money home matters during Carnival<\/h2>
For many, Carnival is a time of family, unity and celebration, but it can also bring extra costs. If you have loved ones in Brazil, a little financial support can help them enjoy the festivities to the fullest.<\/p>
How your transfer can make a difference:<\/strong><\/p>
Costumes and accessories<\/strong> – Help family members join in parades with dazzling outfits and decorations.<\/li>
Food and celebrations<\/strong> – Support loved ones in preparing traditional Carnival feasts for family and friends.<\/li>
Travel and experiences <\/strong>– Some travel to major Carnival cities like Rio, Salvador or Recife — your support can help cover transport and accommodation. <\/li><\/ul>
Whether it’s helping with a small expense or a bigger celebration, your support means they can enjoy Carnival without worry.<\/p>
How to send money to Brazil with Paysend<\/h2>
Paysend makes it easy to stay connected to your loved ones during Carnival. Here’s how you can send money to Brazil in just a few taps<\/p>
MoneyGram is one of the largest money transfer companies in the world, with millions of customers around the world. You can choose to send money offline or online with MoneyGram, either from a smartphone or laptop, or one of their many agent locations.
It’s a great company for some people because of its flexibility and convenience, but others may be put off by the fees and the fact that MoneyGram is a favourite of fraudsters because transfers can’t be traced.
There are a number of factors you should consider before you start using MoneyGram to send money abroad. In this blog we will review MoneyGram to show you what it’s really like, including looking at the pros and cons of MoneyGram, so that you can decide whether it’s the right transfer service for you!
MoneyGram - send money online
If you want to send funds online with MoneyGram, you can access their transfer platform on any device via a browser, or via their mobile app. Before you can send money you’ll first need to register for a MoneyGram account, which can take some time.
Here are some of the pros and cons of using MoneyGram for your online money transfers:
Pros:
You can choose how you want the money to be received, whether directly to a bank account or to be picked up as cash by your recipient.
Lots of cash pick-up locations
Instant transfer of funds to the recipient for cash pick-up
Cons:
Fees can be high - for example, sending £400 from the UK to a bank account in Nigeria will cost you £11.99 in fees
You can’t send money with just card details - you’ll need various bank details
You can’t track your payment, so MoneyGram is often used by scammers
Although MoneyGram exchange rates are generally better than high street banks, you may be able to find better exchange rates with other money transfer providers
Is there another option to MoneyGram?
One of the main things that put people off MoneyGram are the fees, which can be very high.
When you send money to friends and family abroad, you want to save as much as you can so that more of your money reaches the recipient. The factors that affect this include the exchange rate and transfer fees.
Paysendis a fast and easy money transfer platform that lets users send money directly to bank accounts or cards with just a name and card number.
Money transfers to bank accounts with Paysend have zero transfer fees, and to cards cost just £1, €1.5 or $2 (or equivalent amount). Paysend uses excellent, competitive exchange rates, so if you send money with Paysend you might save yourself some money rather than MoneyGram!
On the Paysend homepage you’ll find a useful tool to help you find out if your money transfers with Paysend might be better for you than with MoneyGram. Click here to visit the homepage and get started.