My Family Adventure at Jungle Island in Miami
The Journey from Fort Lauderdale to Miami
I woke up with excitement knowing we had a special day ahead at Jungle Island, one of Miami’s most unique attractions. My wife, my 13-year-old daughter, and I had been looking forward to this trip for weeks. We live in Fort Lauderdale, so it was just about an hour’s drive south on I-95 into downtown Miami. That may sound easy, but as of this writing, the construction on both I-95 and I-395 is a major headache. The traffic can be heavy, and you need to stay very alert.
I remember vividly as we merged east onto I-395 toward Miami Beach—towering cranes filled the skyline and concrete walls lined the roadway. Signs for detours and exits seemed to pop up quickly, so I had to pay close attention to avoid missing the correct turn for Jungle Island. The good news is that once you get near Watson Island, the signs clearly point toward Jungle Island, making it easier to find despite the chaos of construction.
When we finally pulled in, relief washed over me. Jungle Island offers plenty of paid parking right next to the entrance, and we quickly found a spot. With the Miami skyline glittering behind us and Biscayne Bay on the other side, I knew we were about to have a unique adventure in the middle of downtown Miami.
Checking In and Getting Ready
We made our way to the entrance where the friendly staff welcomed us. The process was smooth: since we had already booked our animal encounters online, they handed us color-coded wristbands for each experience. My daughter immediately started comparing her wristbands with mine, laughing at the bright colors as if they were badges of honor.
Once inside, we found ourselves in the campground area, a shaded spot with picnic benches and open space. This served as the meeting point for the encounters. Families like ours sat around waiting with anticipation, kids buzzing with excitement, and everyone clutching their phones ready to capture memories.
Our first encounter on the schedule was the Flamingo Encounter. I had seen flamingos in Florida before, usually at zoos or on postcards, but this was different. This time we were going to step inside their habitat and spend half an hour among them.
A magical moment with the flamingos at Jungle Island.
Meeting the Flamingos
As we followed our trainer to the flamingo area, I was struck by the sheer beauty of the scene. Dozens of flamingos—at least thirty—stood gracefully on one leg or walked slowly through the shallow water. Their bright pink feathers shimmered in the sunlight.
The trainer explained something fascinating: these flamingos actually have their wings fully intact. Unlike many bird exhibits where wings are clipped, Jungle Island’s flamingos can fly. The amazing part is—they choose not to. They stay because they are well cared for, safe, and fed a specialized diet.
We learned that flamingos get their famous pink color from the food they eat, specifically the carotenoids found in shrimp and algae. Without this diet, their feathers would fade to a dull white. It was surreal to hear this while holding a small cup of their special food.
Hand-feeding Miami’s pink beauties at Jungle Island.
For thirty minutes, we hand-fed the flamingos. They approached us with surprising gentleness, dipping their curved bills into the food and giving soft squawks. My daughter couldn’t stop giggling when one stretched its long neck right over her shoulder to peek into her cup. I’ve always loved flamingos. Although they aren’t native to Florida—they come from parts of Africa, South America, and the Caribbean—they feel like they belong here. In Florida, flamingos are celebrated icons, decorating postcards, hotels, and even front yards in the form of plastic lawn ornaments.
Standing among them, I felt a mix of peace and joy. Their elegance, their history, and the simple beauty of their color made this encounter unforgettable.
Lunch Break and Exploring Jungle Island
After our time with the flamingos, we were ready for a break. We strolled around the park, which is filled with an incredible variety of animals. Jungle Island has always been known for its exotic bird collection, but it’s so much more than parrots and macaws. As we walked, we spotted monkeys swinging on ropes, colorful parrots greeting visitors with squawks, farm animals like goats, bunnies and pigs in the petting area, and they even have some majestic reptiles sunbathing behind glass enclosures near the entrance of the park.
Colorful macaws relaxing in the tropical habitat at Jungle Island Miami.
My daughter loved the monkeys the most. She watched them play with toys, swing, and chatter with each other, completely fascinated by their human-like behavior.
When hunger set in, we stopped at the park’s only food truck, a cantina that sells quick bites and snacks. We ordered three beef empanadas, crispy on the outside and savory inside. They were simple but delicious, the perfect refuel for the second half of our day. Sitting under the shade and munching on empanadas while listening to exotic birds in the background gave us the sense that we were truly somewhere special.
The Wallaby Encounter
Next up was the Wallaby Encounter, and my daughter could hardly contain her excitement. She had read about kangaroos in school, but wallabies were a whole new discovery for her.
Our trainer explained that wallabies are cousins of kangaroos, both part of the marsupial family native to Australia. While kangaroos can grow extremely tall and are sometimes aggressive, wallabies are much smaller and more docile. Jungle Island had taken in three rescued wallabies—two males and one female—who now lived happily under the care of the trainers.
Hopping into new friendships at Jungle Island
When we first entered their enclosure, the wallabies were completely still, curled up and resting. For a moment, I thought we might not get to interact with them much. The trainer tried to coax them with food, but they didn’t move. Then, my wife gently shifted their water dish, and suddenly the wallabies sprang to life! They hopped around the enclosure, showing off their small but powerful legs.
We were able to pet them and feed them small treats. Their fur felt softer than I imagined, and their big, dark eyes gave them a gentle appearance. My daughter was thrilled, crouching down to stroke one of them as it nibbled on its food. The wallabies enjoyed leafy greens, fruits, and special pellets provided by the trainers.
That half hour felt magical. These animals, halfway around the world from their native Australia, were thriving in Miami thanks to the dedication of Jungle Island’s staff. Watching my wife and daughter smile and laugh as they interacted with the wallabies made this encounter one of the highlights of the day.
Storm Clouds and the Capybara Encounter
As we headed back to the campground for our final adventure, I noticed the sky had started to darken. Thick clouds rolled in, and the air grew heavy. Sure enough, just as our group gathered for the Capybara Encounter, the first raindrops began to fall.
The trainer gave us a quick reminder: these encounters go on rain or shine, with no refunds. My wife and I looked at each other and decided to go for it. “What the heck,” I said. “Let’s make it an adventure.”
Rain or shine, capybaras always bring the smiles at Jungle Island
This encounter drew the largest crowd, with about ten people in our group. I wasn’t surprised—the capybara has become a social media star. Known as the world’s largest rodent, the capybara is native to South America. They can weigh over 100 pounds and are semi-aquatic, spending much of their lives in rivers and wetlands. They eat mainly grasses and aquatic plants, and their calm, friendly personalities make them very popular.
As soon as we stepped into the enclosure, the sky opened up and it poured. Torrential rain drenched us within seconds, but instead of ruining the experience, it made it even more memorable. The capybaras didn’t seem to mind at all. They waddled toward us, curious and hungry, while we offered them food.
We laughed through the rain, completely soaked as we petted their coarse fur and watched them relax in puddles. My daughter squealed with delight when one nuzzled up against her leg. Despite the storm, or maybe because of it, this encounter became one of my favorite memories of the trip. The rain gave it a raw, adventurous feeling—something you don’t often experience in a controlled setting.
After about twenty minutes, most of the group had enough and left early, but we stuck it out until nearly the end. By the time we returned to the entrance, we were dripping wet but still grinning from ear to ear.
Making new furry friends with the capybaras at Jungle Island
Photos and Souvenirs
One of the nice touches at Jungle Island is that a photographer is present at every encounter. That means you don’t have to worry about fumbling with your phone while you’re trying to pet a wallaby or feed a flamingo. At the end of the day, we stopped by the photo booth near the entrance to view our pictures.
There were plenty of options, from digital downloads to printed packages. We chose a few favorites: one of my daughter with a flamingo stretching its neck toward her, another of all three of us crouching beside a wallaby, and a hilarious shot of us soaked but smiling with the capybaras. These photos perfectly captured the spirit of our adventure.
Other Animal Encounters at Jungle Island
While we only experienced three encounters, Jungle Island offers many others. Depending on your interest, you can sign up for encounters with sloths, lemurs, giant tortoises, or even reptiles. Each one gives you a chance to get up close and personal with animals you would otherwise only see from afar in a zoo. That’s what makes Jungle Island so unique—it’s not just about observing animals, it’s about connecting with them.
Practical Information for Visiting Jungle Island
If you’re planning your own trip, Jungle Island is conveniently located just minutes from both downtown Miami and South Beach. An Uber ride takes only about 10 to 15 minutes from most central locations.
Address: 1111 Parrot Jungle Trail, Miami, FL 33132
Phone Number: (305) 400-7000
Website: www.jungleisland.com
Parking is available on site for a fee, and tickets for encounters can be purchased in advance online, which I highly recommend since many of the encounters sell out quickly.
Family Fun at Jungle Island
Closing Thoughts: Why You Should Visit Jungle Island
As we drove back to Fort Lauderdale, still a little damp from the capybara adventure, I couldn’t stop thinking about how special the day had been. Jungle Island is more than just another tourist stop—it’s an immersive experience where families can connect with animals in ways that are both educational and heartwarming.
From the elegance of the flamingos to the gentle charm of the wallabies and the quirky personality of the capybaras, each encounter gave us memories we will treasure forever. And it all happened right in the heart of Miami, surrounded by skyscrapers and busy highways. That contrast makes Jungle Island even more magical—it’s a pocket of nature and wonder in the middle of a bustling city.
If you’re looking for something different from swimming with dolphins in the Florida Keys or lounging on the Miami beach, I can’t recommend Jungle Island enough. It’s a place where you can laugh, learn, and connect with creatures from around the world—all in a single day. Trust me, once you’ve walked among flamingos, petted a wallaby, and shared a rain-soaked laugh with a capybara, you’ll understand why Jungle Island is a Miami treasure.
