"Five Red Ants" with pieces of green leaves on their backs, one iridescent humming bird, a  Yigüirro, ( National Bird ) butterflies, along with other birds and insects have their refuge among plants, fruit trees, bamboo and water in the middle of the city of San Jose. 


Yes, there is a small ecosystem here that  has been created to compensate nature for  the artificial surroundings of a city. This is  where living things can have a respite. This  refuge is situated only a 5 minute walk from  the center of San Jose, theaters, art  museums and much more.

 "Five Red Ants" has six rooms, one private  bathroom, one large shared bathrooms that are bright and breezy, with hot water and many plants and windows, all for very special guests who can identify with nature and enjoy the bird's songs.

We have all the information you need for tours, rental cars, and bus schedules. There is also a book exchange for travelers.

In addition we feature a permanent gallery exhibition of beautiful paintings by local artist and owner Mayra Güell. 

If this sounds like you, I invite you to visit this unique Bed & Breakfast, where the birds can freely build nests in the windows. 



 Mayra Güell

" Making art of nothing at all: San José    Artist Mayra Güell takes old household     items and transforms them into works
of art, as with the chair shown above".Dorothy Mackinnon  Tico Times 2005.

Art Exhibition: Mayra Güell   



Hi! I'm Jamaica the pet of Cinco Hormigas Rojas. I'm ready to play with you!! 
"Jamaica" is the newest member of the staff, and is currently being trained as chief of security.


You can also store your luggage here while you travel to the beaches, mountains or National Parks.

Complementary breakfast " Cinco Hormigas Rojas style" 

Delicious home make marmalate sandwich prepared with so much love on fresh sesame seed bread, with salled cookies, tropical fruit juice, and one natural fruit in season like a banana, tangerine or mango.  All this and coffee or tea plus a souvenir surprise!

Each breakfast is packaged individually in hygienic bags
  

 

 

 









 


Tours:
One day activities like Canopy,Rafting or visit to volcanoes, may be arranged from Cinco Hormigas Rojas.

Tours for three days or more are  also available, as well as all inclusive tours, bird watching, hiking, or just plain experiencing the exuberant beauty of mother earth on this privileged piece of land.

You will live an incredible experience discovering the amazing color schemes, sounds, smells and textures that our lavish biodiversity offers. (Our small and beautiful country is home to 12 of Holdridge’s life zones, which classify vegetation based on seasonal temperature and rainfall). 




              


Mayra’s first hand knowledge on these tours will prove to be the best recommendation!  She will gladly help you put together a personalized itinerary based on your preferences.
 

Our Recommendations:

Tortuguero Super Special

Ask for our Special Rates

The Green Turtle Nesting Season
July to October

3 days / 2 nights
This package includes:

· 2 nights lodging at Laguna Lodge,    Tortuguero, in a room with private    bath, terrace and view to the    gardens.
· Transportation by minibus and boat     Laguna Lodge.
·  3 guided tours of 2 hours each one.
·  Buffet meals - breakfast, lunch and     dinner.
·   Panoramic bar and Restaurant.
·   Beautiful Long Beach.
·  Relaxing areas.
·  Swimming pool with jacuzzi.
·  Delicius breeze from the lagoon and     the Caribbean ocean.
·  Butterfly and Botanical gardens.

Note: The High Season monts are July - August and from December 1st until March 30th.
Paid in advance in cash: US dollars, or colones. More










Corcovado National Park

Costa Rica Ecological Adventures Drake Bay

4 days / 3 nights package all included

Ask for our Special Rates

Includes:

· 3 nights / 4 days in Corcovado 
  Adventures Tent Camp in double   or single occupancy.
· Transportation Palmar Norte bus   station to Sierpe and Corcovado 
  Adventures Tent Camp, two ways.
· Guide.
· All meals in Corcovado Adventures 
  Tent Camp.
· Corcovado Adventures Tent Camp /   Sierpe full day tour to CORCOVADO   NAT. PARK.
· Full day tour to CAÑO ISLAND.
· Biological Private Reserve half day   tour to CORCOVADO ADVENTURES 
  TENT CAMP.



  

 

 

"CAFE MUNDO" Restaurant

Situated only two minutes walk from "CINCO HORMIGAS ROJAS" for enjoable dining experience.
 


 


Expand your creativity in our
stimulating Environment

For twelve years I have been maintaining and nurturing, as much as possible this eco-system by providing fruits, water, plants and a safe haven for birds and others animals. Today I have 21 species of birds that visit Cinco Hormigas Rojas. A common visitor is the Yigüirro, Costa Rica's national bird. They have decided to make my small little refuge their home. Each night 4 couples of fruit-eating bats indulge themselves of my fruit offerings.
Lizards, insects and butterflies are also visitors of my little ecosystem in the heart of San José.

Thank you to all who visit. And special thanks to those who appreciate nature. Please join me again in my twelve year celebration by caring for the animals and fighting to protect their home. 2008

Thank  you,
Mayra Güell



 Clay-colored Robin
Yiguirro National Bird
(Turdus Grayi)

 


 

Green Lizard

Private Bus Service

We have the services transportation, to whatever place you want to go in Costa Rica.

This is what you have to looking for  

 


 

Airport service :

We offer transfer from or to the International Airport ,we have the contact with the oficial company TAXIS UNIDOS this service is the most safe and confortable service and it's the oficial company of the airport .They have the ensurence to do the turists transportation you will be safe and happy.
The special price is $27 total.

The way to do is before you go out look for the sign TAXIS UNIDOS it's a small "office" you are going to see you name on a backwork and you pay there that so is easy. Please let me know if you want this wonderful service.
M.GUELL.



ONE DRY SEASON DAY ART SHOW IN CINCO HORMIGAS ROJAS


 


 


 


 

SOME GUEST VIEWS

RECOMMANDE 2011 PER LES GUIDES DU

Thank you very much, Mr.Charlie Liem. CONGRESSMAN OF EU
 2/11/10

Sinceratly: Mayra Guell

Florida; Jun 24, 2010

Sometimes extraordinary things happen in the most unexpected and ordinary places – whether it is Hotel Perfect in Paris or Hraunsnef farmhotel in Iceland. You sometimes happen across innkeepers who have special caring for their properties and the people who share their love of them.

Such a place is Conco Hormigas Rojas (five red ants) which is a small B and B in the center of downtown San Jose Costa Rica. Cinco Hormigas Rojas is owned by Mayra Guell a beautiful and talented (and somewhat quirky) artist who has taken it upon herself to turn her small guesthouse into a mini nature preserve and art exposition dedicated to saving not only the tourist but also the birds, insects and lizards of San Jose from the perils of third world inner city living. She is ecstatic with her success at attracting local wildlife, and on the night we were there saw the CR national bird, several varieties of tanager, fruit bats, and others.

My daughter and I made a reservation due to the attractive rates and strategic location in san Jose Centro (we have a farm on the east coast and needed a strategic jumping off spot close to busses headed that direction. Ms. Guell has an arrangement with a livery service to offer service from the airport at about 30% discount from the “taxista”price to get into the city. The hotel is instantly recognizable by the lush jungle garden which nearly explodes into the street, and the small, hobbit-like entrance into the nature preserve which begins to show the artist spirit before you even enter.

Make no mistake – this is not your typical hotel, or for that matter your typical B and B, and is not for people with ordinary tastes. It is bargain lodging at its best, with a flair and elegance. The property is strategically located close to the Caribe bus station, and nearly underneath the tracks for the Atlantic commuter rail service. Cinco Hormingas Rojas has comfortable beds, shared or private baths, and is beautifully decorated with the owner’s original art, which is quite good. It has a world class café across the street with a great food, wine and beer selection. Each night Mayra packs a light brown bag breakfast that can be taken with you as you start your travels. It is a great fun, and very different sort of place, operated by a caring and delightful woman. It has become our new regular San Jose hotel.

Charlie Liem
Congressman EU

Cinco Hormigas Rojas, Museo Nacional de Costa Rica

Above is the entrance to the third hotel we've checked into here, the Cinco Hormigas Rojas (the Five Red Ants),
where the owner, Marya Guell, an artist and bohemian, has created a unique oasis in the midst of the city.


The garden is like a jungle, and the inside is charming and whimsical; the walls filled with paintings, sculptures, masks and paper maché art of the owner.

The National Museum of Costa Rica: I am not much on museums, but this one is wonderful.
It's the history of Costa Rica, from pre-Columbian times to the present, and the exhibits are tasteful and hip and not overwhelming. I'll try to write a bit later about what I learned about this country today, but I'd recommend to anyone living here or visiting here to go to this place. One of the features is a huge butterfly garden, with 1000s of butterflies floating around. As you walk through the ferns and tropical plants, the butterflies flit around you, like they're saying hello.

    Posted by Lloyd Kahn

    

Lonely Planet review

Matthew D. Firestone
Lonely Planet author

This traveler's refuge and artistic retreat is run by the multilingual and insanely talented Mayra, a Costa Rican artist and naturalist who's nurtured the grounds of her small guesthouse for over 10 years. Today, 'Five Red Ants' is a micro-ecosystem that's teeming with tropical birds.

Spend a night at Cinco Hormigas Rojas and you'll quickly forget that you're staying in San José. Mayra has created birding charts describing her daily visitors and you'll even see a few bats in the evening. The guesthouse itself has three rooms of varying sizes and amenities (if you need television in your life, this is not the place for you). Each room is uniquely themed and displays her incredible artwork. Mayra's specialty is covering household objects in papier-maché and then sculpting and painting them into intricate designs - their originality and beauty is impossible to describe. Art is available for purchase and every traveler leaves after breakfast with a small gift in hand.

Cinco Hormigas Rojas
TripAdvisor

2009

Christopher Baker from National Geographic recommended to us. Looking forward to a unique and artistic stay.
Sheridan & Randall Jones
Albuquerque, July 20, 2009.

Mayra is a true Costa Rican gem, as is her bed and breakfast. This was the perfect oasis for my friend and I to stay at as we crisscrossed the country using San Jose as our base. I LOVED the funky artwork and being literaly surrounded by nature. In addition to a great place to stay, Mayra has wonderful suggestions on places to visit around the country. Unless you are dead set on your travel agenda, I recommend following her advice. She will take you off the beaten path and onto some great adventures!
Chicago, Illinois,February 9, 2009.

Thank you so much, Mayra, for a wonderful time in San José. We will certainly recommend Cinco Hormigas Rojas!
Donde & Myron Smith, February,2009.

I didn't  get a chance to say good-bye the morning of June 28th, but I want to thank you for providing a wonderful place to stay. I enjoyed meeting the other folks that stayed at Cinco Hormigas Rojas; and we ( Ted and myself ) were so thrilled to have your resourceful information about Costa Rica, to see the art you created, and to feel the "rainforest" habitat in your owelling !
Thank you again, and of course, if I come to Costa Rica again, I am to stay at your B&B.
Linda Babcock, July,2008.

Hi Mayra. We finally arrived back in the UK after a long journey. Costa Rica is a fine country to travel made all the better by cinco hormigas rojas guest house. Here are some pictures of your bats to enjoy. Let me know if they are ok then I can you some more if you like. Thnks again Mayra and Jamaica for a lovely stay!! Pete and Mally, February,2008.

"Dear Mayra ,We have had a Wonderful trip to Tortuguero every thing was very nice and well organized! Best Regards!   Madeleine Appelgren, Suisa, Dec,2007 

 "Thank you so much for your hospitality, we had a wonderful time in Costa Rica..I have meaning to send you this picture of the fruit bat the we capture on camara (after many tries!)...Shawna Miller". Nov,2007

"Thank you for a Wonderful stay in the "Dancing Leaf Room"We enjoyed to be with you in your nice mini botanic garden .You contribuded really to our Wonderful vacation in Costa Rica and thank you for your good advices" We look forward to visit Costa Rica again and wish you all the best" Peter and Vibeke, Denmark, April, 2007.

"Thank you Mayra,Every thing was Wonderful and so ceative I look forward to seeiing you again and will recomend you and your lovely place to my friends love  Sharon G. Mijares (Institute for women and gobal change"U.S.A., March, 2007.

"We loved our visit to Costa Rica ,and hope we can return with the rest of our family! Thank you for all your help and kindness during our stay in Cinco Hormigas Rojas".Warm Regards, Patricia Colavincenzo, Pennsylvania. U.S.A. February ,2007

"Thank you for all your help .If you come to Germany please let us know and we will try our best to meet you with the same hospitality that we received from you in "Cinco Hormigas Rojas" Thank you again, Anna and Tobias, Germany, January, 2007 

"Pour traverser d'une cote a l'autre nous n'avons pas le choix de repasser par San Jose.  Ce n'est vraiment pas une capitale tres excitante, meme plutot peu sure, mais nous avons reussi a trouver un petit coin de paradis au milieu du bruit et de la polution. C'est un petit Bed and Breakfast, "Cinco Hormigas Rojas" tenue par Mayra, artiste un peu degentee, mais vraiment geniale. Sa maison est fait de branches et d'arbres entremeles. Bref hallucinant !!!"
Sophia and Clara, Francia October 09.....(D'un pole a' l' altre,il n' y a qu'un pas)

 


Carlo, USA,
July, 2008.


Melissa Mc Crady, ten years old, USA, June 2008.  



Frederika and family, France, July 2008.

 

The Observer Newspaper, England,
The expert Panel
Sunday July 6, 2008

This week's question...which is your favourite eco-escape? 

My favourite 'eco' stay was a guesthouse in San José, Costa Rica, called Cinco Hormigas Rojas. It had a phenomenal wildlife garden, totally wild, wonderful and overgrown with pairs of fruit bats and birds that appeared every morning. It was marvellous and magical and right in the heart of built-up, urban San José. It didn't overtly brand itself as eco, but it really was a haven, and quite the opposite of places that brand themselves as eco-friendly without any substance behind it.

                                      Ed Gillespie, Slow Travel exponent and co-founder of Futerra

"The first things you notice about Cinco Hormigas Rojas is the color. Mayra has taken her print brush to even the most mundane of objects turning them into unique works of art"
By: Ashley Cavers

                                                                                 Costa Rica Today

"The best way to view her art is to visit Cinco Hormigas Rojas the "Artists refuge" B and B she created out of her grandmother's house in the heart of San José"
By: Dorothy Mackinnon

                                                                                 The Tico Times


" When people ask Güell why she named her B and B Cinco Hormigas Rojas (five red ants), she explains that it is a reminder to people to recognize the beauty of the smaller things in the life"
By: Liz Musser

                                                                                 The Tico Times

Cinco Hormigas Rojas. The name of this whimsical little lodge translates as "five red ants". Behind the wall of vines that obscures it from the street is a wild garden-it´s an unexpected urban bird-watching venue- leading to an interior space filled with original artwork. The largest, newest room  ( the Hoja Danzante, or Dancing Leaf ) overlooks the minijungle that is the front entrance. Color abounds, from the bright hues on the walls right down to the toilet seats. Sure enough,the resident owner is an artist- Mayra Güell turned the 80-year -old house she inherited from her grandmother into San José´s most original B&B-cum-art gallery. She tosses in thoughtful touches such as a healthful boxed breakfast if you´re heading out on an early-morning excursion, and coffee and tea 24/7. If you cherish the sameness and predictability of a chain hotel, look elsewhere, but if there´s an artistic bent to your personality, this is your place.

                                                                                Fodor´s Guide 2006

                                                              "The last patch of rainforest in San José."   

REVIEW This traveler’s refuge and artistic retreat is run by the multilingual and insanely talented Mayra, a Costa Rican artist and naturalist who's nurtured the grounds of her small guesthouse for over 10 years. Today, 'Five Red Ants' is a micro-ecosystem that's teeming with tropical birds.

Spend a night at Cinco Hormigas Rojas and you'll quickly forget that you're staying in San José. Mayra has created birding charts describing her daily visitors and you'll even see a few bats in the evening. The guesthouse itself has three rooms of varying sizes and amenities (if you need television in your life, this is not the place for you). Each room is uniquely themed and displays her incredible artwork. Mayra's specialty is covering household objects in papier-mâché and then sculpting and painting them into intricate designs - their originality and beauty is impossible to describe. Art is available for purchase and every traveler leaves after breakfast with a small gift in hand.

                                                                                                    Lonely Planet 2006

The name of this whimsical little lodge translates as "Five Red Ants." Behind the wall of vines that obscures it from the street is a wild garden that leads to an interior full of original art. Color abounds, from the bright hues on the walls right down to the toilet seats. Sure enough, the resident owner is an artist - Mayra Güell turned the house she inherited from her grandmother into San José's most original B&B-cum-art gallery. It's in the historic Barrio Otoya, one of San José's few pleasant neighborhoods, and the room price includes a hearty breakfast. 6 rooms, 1 with bath. Free parking. AE, MC, V.

                                                                                                         N Y Times Travel

http://www.nytimes.com/top/features/travel/destinations/
centralandsouthamerica/costarica/hotels_name.html



 
Cinco Hormigas Rojas
email: info@cincohormigasrojas.com  Fax: (011) (506) 2257-8581  Tel: (011) (506) 2255-3412
Calle 15, Avenida 9 y 11 bis barrio Otoya, San José Costa Rica.  
Mobile (emergency): (011) (506) 8998-0014 

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