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Last updated: May 19, 2026. This article covers seasonal remittance patterns. Review before June of each year to verify that institutional figures remain the most current.
When summer arrives, Latinos in the U.S. don't just think about the heat or vacations: they think about the families they left behind and the expenses piling up on the other side. The increase in remittances during this season is not anecdotal; it is the result of concrete financial events that repeat every year in households across Latin America.
The global volume of remittances to Latin America and the Caribbean exceeded $160 billion in 2023, according to the World Bank, and seasonal patterns show that the summer months account for a disproportionate share of that flow, driven by specific household expenses that accumulate between June and September.
Why do remittances rise in the summer? The events that trigger money transfers
Summer is not a season of greater generosity, but of greater need. In the countries receiving remittances, the months from June to September coincide with several financial events that strain the family budget all at once.
The most important is the back-to-school season. In most of Latin America, the school year begins between July and September depending on the country, which concentrates a significant sum of expenses into a few weeks: uniforms, school supplies, tuition fees, and books. Families that rely on remittances to cover these costs wait specifically for this time to receive larger transfers.
Added to this are other simultaneous factors. In several agricultural economies in the region, the summer months correspond to an income gap in the harvest cycle: the fields are producing, but the sale has not yet taken place. Rural families turn to remittances to cover this period. Additionally, quinceañeras and other important social events are concentrated in the summer, when young people are out of school and families can organize celebrations.
According to the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), more than 75% of families receiving remittances in Latin America use them primarily to cover current household expenses, with education and food being the two most frequent categories.
The result is predictable: senders in the U.S. receive more requests, send higher amounts, and do so more frequently. Flow data from major operators reflects this pattern year after year.
Back to school: how remittances fund the education of millions of families in Latin America
The link between remittances and education is one of the most documented in the economic literature on migration. A study by the Center for Latin American Monetary Studies (CEMLA) and the IDB estimates that about 10% to 15% of remittances received in the region go directly to educational expenses, a percentage that rises during the school period.
The school calendar in Latin America: when the back-to-school season begins
School cycles vary by country, which means that the pressure on remittances is not concentrated in a single week but is staggered throughout the summer:
| Country | Approximate start of the school cycle |
|---|---|
| Mexico | Late August |
| Guatemala | January (calendar cycle) / the school supply season is January-February |
| Honduras | Late January / second season: July |
| El Salvador | January |
| Nicaragua | Late January / second season: July |
| Colombia | January and July (two semesters) |
| Dominican Republic | September |
| Ecuador | September (Sierra) / April (Costa) |
| Peru | March (first week) |
For Latino families in the U.S. supporting children or siblings in countries where the school year begins between July and September, the peak remittance season aligns directly with the American summer.
What reaches these families is not just money for supplies: it is the difference between a child continuing their education or not. According to IDB data, households receiving remittances in the region have significantly higher school attendance rates than comparable households without access to these transfers, an effect that becomes more pronounced during the months when classes begin.
The economic impact of summer remittances on the communities that receive them
The effect of summer transfers goes beyond the individual household. When tens of thousands of families in a region receive transfers at the same time, the flow of money activates local shops, services, and economies.
School supply stores, uniform sewing workshops, school transport services, and small food businesses in areas highly dependent on remittances record their peak activity during these same months. The World Bank estimates that every dollar in remittances generates between $2 and $3 of additional economic activity in recipient communities, a multiplier effect that can be even greater during the back-to-school season.
This concentrated impact also has implications for those sending money. If many families are waiting for the same period to receive funds, transfer services face higher volumes, exchange rates may become more volatile, and occasional delays are more likely. Planning ahead is not a luxury; it is a strategy to ensure that the money arrives when it is needed.
How to plan your money transfers during peak season so they arrive on time
Peak remittance season doesn't have to be stressful if you plan ahead. Here are the most important practical considerations:
Send with a buffer: Although most services process bank deposits in minutes, during peak season some receiving banks may experience delays due to high volume. Sending 48 to 72 hours before the money is needed reduces the risk. Check Félix's delivery times to know what to expect based on the receiving method.
Know your limits before you need them: If you plan to send a larger amount than usual to cover various back-to-school expenses, check your sending limits in advance. Completing identity verification before the peak sending period gives you access to higher limits without last-minute interruptions.
Split or consolidate based on what works for your family: Some families prefer to receive a single large amount; others prefer to receive it in parts to better manage their budget. Talk to your family member about what is most practical for them before making your first transfer.
Check the exchange rate: During periods of high demand, the exchange rate can fluctuate more than usual. If your transfer timing is flexible, comparing the exchange rate over a few days can make a visible difference in the amount your family member receives. To understand how this component works, check out the article on remittance trends.
Send summer remittances without complications with Félix Pago from the U.S.
Félix operates entirely via WhatsApp, which means you can send money from anywhere, without downloading any additional apps, at any time of the season. You pay with a debit or credit card, or in cash at participating stores in the U.S. using a barcode you generate from the chat.
For the back-to-school season, Félix allows you to send money to Latin American countries where the families of many Latinos in the U.S. live.
If you want to send money this season, text the official Félix number: +1 (669) 333-3549.
Sources and references
World Bank
- World Bank, Migration and Remittances Data (2024): Global figures for remittance flows to Latin America and the Caribbean.
Inter-American Development Bank (IDB)
- IDB, Remittances to Latin America and the Caribbean 2023: Current Trends and Outlook (2024): Use of remittances by expenditure category; percentage allocated to current household expenses.
CEMLA
- CEMLA, The use of remittances in Latin America: Estimates on the proportion of remittances allocated to education in the region.
World Bank (multiplier effect)
- World Bank, Remittances to Developing Countries (2018): Estimate of the multiplier effect of remittances on receiving economies.
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