Marrakech – Osiria water park

As we could barely handle the heat in the city, we had decided on our last day in Marrakech to go to a water park. Yes, somewhere in a suburb of Marrakech in the middle of the dessert there is a water park!

The water park entrance fee is 18 Euros! including the bus from Marrakech to the water park.

There was no exact indication where the shuttle bus will stop to pick us up, just the name: Plaza El Harti. Plaza El Harti is a big place with a roundabout; there are about 5 large streets intersecting into this place and about 5 corners where the shuttle could stop. We had to stand right in the middle of the plaza in the burning morning sun so we can see the water park shuttle. Once we saw the shuttle arriving we started running and guessing where the shuttle will stop. That is easier said than done, traffic in Marrakech is absolutely insane, it took us a while to be able to cross the street and make it to the shuttle, but finally we were on our way.

We knew from the Routard guide that there are restaurants and snack bars in the park; initially, we were thinking to bring some water and snacks, but later on in the morning we changed our mind. When we got to the park we were glad that we did not bring any food or drinks, because the clerk at the gate actually checked our bag! The water park really wants our money, beside the entrance being so expensive they want us to spend extra money on food and drink. It is impossible to be there for the day without buying something, this park is making good money!

But we had fun! It was a hot day, so it was nice to be in the park. The park is big, with a kids area, wave pool, swimming pool, water slides, restaurant and concession areas, even a pool bar with Coca Cola and juice, but to our disappointment no fancy cocktails or beer.

Mark went for the water slides gradually moving on from the gentle ones to the steep ones. Every time he was plunging in the water and coming out he had a very puzzled expression on his face! He was funny, I guess for the moment he didn’t know where he was. I was sitting on the grass listing to some techno funky music and looking at Mark and all the other crazy people sliding down and had a good laugh!

I was scared to go on the slides, but finally seeing how much fun everyone was having I decided to give it a try! After the first time I kept going and going and going, yes it is was lots of fun, even though I have to admit that I slid only on the green slides, the easier ones.

At 6: 30 pm it was time for us to go.
We got out of the gate to wait for the shuttle bus. There are only 2 shuttle buses one for Plaza Jemaa-El-Fna and one for Place El Harti. As it is almost closing time for the water park, many people were waiting for the shuttle. As soon as the shuttle showed up people start running, pushing their way around to get on the shuttle. We looked at this and decided that is no way we can fight like this to get on the bus. But we were tired, hot, hungry and want to make it home. Another shuttle arrives and Mark is getting a seat, but I am still outside and the shuttle is now full. This was absolutely crazy!

We don’t understand why the water park doesn’t have a civilized system to get people on the bus; something like handing people a number so when shuttle arrives people can get on the bus according to the number; or even easier to have 2 signs, and 2 lines (something similar to the airports line ups) one for place Jemaa-El-Fna and one for Place El Harti.

Regretfully after this good day we had a bitter feeling like many other places/business in Morocco the water park cares only about the tourists that brings money in; once they got your money they don’t care about you, customer service, reputation, good will and so on; that is sad for Morocco.