Chinese (Simplified) 
Chinese (Traditional) 
English 
French 
Alemão 
Italian 
Japanese 
Norwegian 
Spanish 
3 min read
2 comments
Rising accommodation prices for COP30 in Belém are causing tension between the government, hotels and delegations, threatening widespread participation in the event.
Simple but cozy, the COP30 Hotel Bethlehem hasn't yet closed reservations for November. Its owners want to rent the entire building to a foreign delegation, but the prices have put off interested parties. The conference is expected to attract 50 people over 12 days, putting pressure on the city's already limited hotel supply.
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (Workers' Party) envisioned COP30 in Belém to promote the Amazon. In 2023, he joked that delegates would negotiate "under the canopy of a tree." However, reality revealed a different scenario: a shortage of accommodations and unrealistic rates.
Price hike due to COP30
To ease the pressure, the government scheduled the summit of heads of state for November 6-7, before the main event, which takes place from the 10-21st. Even so, costs remain high.
-
The new minimum wage of R$ 1.631 in 2026 promises real gains, but shows how far workers still are from the ideal value calculated by Dieese.
-
Paraná announces emergency construction of 320 houses in Rio Bonito do Iguaçu after tornado destroys 90% of the city.
-
Elon Musk fires 500 xAI employees and hands over command of artificial intelligence team to 20-year-old student after radical restructuring.
-
Experts say China exports unemployment by using dumping to protect local jobs, while Brazil maintains 53 anti-dumping measures in effect.
In August, GLOBO report revealed that the former Hotel Nota 10 started charging 80 times more. The daily rate jumped from R$70 to R$5.670.
Countries even suggested moving the headquarters in July. The UN asked Brazil for subsidies, but the government refused.
So far, 68 of the 198 countries have secured their reservations. "This has never happened before," said Marcio Astrini of the Climate Observatory. According to him, everyone usually has their accommodations confirmed months in advance.
Local reality
Hotel COP30 operates in a building that was formerly a motel. Renovated in 2024, it now offers 40 rooms. Manager Alcides Moura admits that prices "have become disorganized."
The hotel tested daily rates of R$6,3, but backed down. Today, it charges a maximum of US$350 (R$1.910).
Belém, where 57% of its population lives in favelas, is experiencing a contrast. For many, COP30 has become an opportunity for profit.
Retired Ronaldo França, 65, will rent out his weekend home for $370 a night. "I'm not going to charge an outrageous price, but some people are taking advantage of us," he says.
Government response
In August, Brazil created a working group to negotiate better conditions. Governor Helder Barbalho assures that "the supply of beds is guaranteed," but admits abuses.
For him, the Amazon experience should outweigh luxury. Delegations, however, request individual rooms for all members.
The government invested R$4 billion in COP-related projects. The highlight is Parque da Cidade, the tree-lined convention center that will host the conference.
Still, logistics are a concern. Authorities estimate that 60% of visitors will stay in private properties.
Debate on price abuses at COP30
Toni Santiago, from the Pará hotel association, says the establishments are nearly full. He rejects the government's proposed price controls: "This doesn't exist at any major event in the world." His argument seeks to dispel the image of disorganization.
To reinforce the network, two private ships will offer 6 beds, although 20 kilometers from the convention center.
Airbnb announced a 22% drop in average prices since February. Even so, it's still rare to find rates close to $100, a level considered adequate by the UN for low-budget delegations.
Risk of exclusion
The Climate Observatory warns that COP30 may be the least inclusive in history. High costs could limit civil society participation.
For Marcio Astrini, the debate over accommodation ended up overshadowing the essential: “climate goals, fossil fuels, climate finance.”
Therefore, while delegations, government and hotels negotiate, the challenge goes beyond the comfort of visitors.
Brazil's image as host of one of the world's most important environmental meetings is also at stake.
With information from O Globo.
And can't the consumer rights code intervene in these abuses? Is it difficult to verify previous prices and prohibit absurd increases simply because of existing laws that prevent them? This is a shame; they seem starving when they see a once-in-a-lifetime plate of food.
Belém, the most slum-ridden city in Brazil, representing Brazil, very typical.