About
Tucked inside the old Sunland Park Mall in El Paso, Jungle Reef isn't your typical fish store — it's an interactive aquarium experience built around rescued animals and hands-on encounters. 4 rating, this facility has carved out a devoted following among El Paso families and road-tripping visitors alike. The centerpiece attractions include an interactive stingray pool where guests can hand-feed the rays, a shark enclosure that manager Steve has been known to personally walk visitors through (explaining the filtration systems and care routines), and the wildly popular otter experiences.
Three otters — Harry, Cho, and Luna — each with distinct personalities, are the stars of the Otter Swim Experience and Otter Playtime sessions. Staff members like Alexis and Candice guide these encounters with genuine expertise and patience, even accommodating toddlers who need a little extra time warming up. Beyond the aquatic life, Jungle Reef features a walk-through aviary where visitors can feed birds, plus encounters with penguins and turtles.
The facility also offers face painting, slime-making activities, and guided tours that keep families engaged for hours. Several reviewers noted losing track of time entirely. What consistently stands out across reviews is the staff.
Names like Steve, Rogelio, Alexis, and Nadia come up repeatedly — not as scripted tour guides but as genuinely passionate animal caretakers who share detailed knowledge about each species and visibly love their work. Multiple visitors described feeling like VIPs regardless of which ticket tier they purchased. A fair warning: pricing can catch visitors off guard.
Base admission runs around $17, but many interactive experiences require additional tokens or fees, so budget accordingly. The facility is compact — it's inside a mall, after all — but the density of activities and the quality of animal care make it feel much larger than its footprint suggests. The fact that all animals are rescues adds a meaningful layer to every interaction.
What they offer
Livestock, services, water
- Services
- Consultation
- Specializes in
Highlights
What makes them special
- Interactive stingray feeding pool
- Otter swim and playtime experiences with Harry, Cho, and Luna
- All animals are rescues with dedicated care programs
- Shark enclosure with staff-guided walkthroughs
- Walk-through aviary with bird feeding
From keepers
Customer reviews
“Alexis was extraordinary in guiding us through the otter experience! Highly recommend this activity!”
— Carol Bolke5.018 hours ago“Rogers customer service was top tier! Was always available to answer any questions and was obviously very informative about everything he spoke about!!”
— Yahaira Felix5.03 days ago“It was a bit pricey for the size but overall my children enjoyed it.”
— Andrew Buckley4.04 days ago“I loved it everyone there from the manager Steve to his crew members we so knowledgeable and helpful with everything there. I felt like a VIP. Thank you.”
— jennette eichensehr5.04 days ago“The employees are so sweet!! We definitely left talking more about how much we loved the workers over how much we loved seeing the animals.”
— Happycamper5.05 days ago“The aquarium is ever interactive throughout. The manager Steve and Alexis were amazing! They were very friendly, welcoming and taught us so much about the animals and their care. The pride they take in their jobs truly shows in the care for the animals. Steve showed us the shark enclosure and how they work to keep it clean and sharks happy. Alexis was SO patient with my 3 year old and made sure he was comfortable when we fed the birds and the otters. Because of their amazing customer service we definitely will be back!”
— Tatiana Otero5.0a week ago“Took my son today for a family outing and 10/10 would recommend! He loved walking around seeing all the animals and being able to even feed some! The staff was amazing and you can tell they truly enjoy and take care of the animals. Was not aware the animals are rescues but seeing the level of dedication and care was amazing! The manager I believe his name was Steve and the employee Alex were truly amazing.”
— Reina Arvizu5.0a week ago“Candice was friendly and very knowledgeable about her otters! It is something fun to do while visiting El Paso🦦!!!”
— Sandi Patnode5.0a week ago“Padrisimo lugar, aunque es pequeño me encanto interactuar con los animalitos”
— Myriam Samaniego5.0a week ago“Love playing with Otters! The staff makes you feel very special while you're there”
— Diana Gomez5.02 weeks ago
Reference
Frequently asked questions
Note — Store information and services may change. Always call (915) 800-1083 to confirm current availability, hours, and services before visiting Jungle Reef.