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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>
If you’re an expat who has sent money abroad in the past, then you’ve probably seen the term IBAN. If you aren’t sure what this is, it’s simply an International Bank Account Numberwhich is a code that helps banks to identify your bank account internationally if you want to move your money between different countries.
The IBAN linked to your account is basically your passport to sending international payments to friends and family who live abroad. It’s quite a long number - up to 34 characters - so make sure you write it down!
If you want to send money to an IBAN account, there are different ways to do it - and some are much easier than others!
Send money to an IBAN-linked bank account
If you want to send money to an international bank account you’ll need your recipient’s IBAN so that the transaction is as smooth as possible, with no hiccups! What is an IBAN: Example IBAN numbers by country.
You could travel to a high street bank or money transfer store to do this, but you may be met with high transfer fees and slow transfer times.
On the other hand, you can send money to a bank account online with Paysend, using our low, flat fees and fast transfer speeds. You can choose to send money from either the Paysend app or via our website, and the money will usually arrive within minutes - 75% of our transfers arrive in 20 seconds or less!
If you want to send money to an IBAN account with Paysend, you can do this with no transfer fee for the transaction. Plus, we use competitive exchange rates to make sure you and your recipient can make the most of your international transfer.
Head to the Paysend homepage to find out how much your recipient will receive with Paysend’s exchange rates.
How to send money without an IBAN
If you want to simplify things and send money without an IBAN number, you can do this with Paysend.
How?
Paysend’s unique card2card transferslet users send money abroad with just the recipient’s name and card number. This means that you don’t even need the IBAN number to send money internationally.
Sending money to a card account costs just £1, $2 or €1.5 in transfer fees (or equivalent depending where you’re travelling from) if you choose Paysend.
To get started and send money to an IBAN account or straight to a card, download the Paysend app today, or head to our homepage for more info.