For the millions of people who had to remain in the capital during Idul Fitri festivities, recreational spots were the favorite destination on Friday.

The seaside Ancol park and South Jakarta’s Ragunan Zoo and theme park Taman Mini Indonesia Indah topped the list of affordable destinations, but pricier recreational venues, such as Kidzania, were equally packed.

Wibiono Santoso, a Pasar Baru resident, had been at Ragunan Zoo with his family since 9 a.m.

“This is the best time of the year to spend time with my family because I can take my children to see animals that they have never seen themselves,” he said, adding that the zoo was more fun, and cheaper to visit, than a restaurant or shopping mall.

Wibiono said he and his family had visited a number of recreation spots in Jakarta during this year’s holiday.

“One holiday destination that we have not visited is Setu Babakan, and we plan to continue on to there later this afternoon,” he said, referring to a traditional Betawi area in South Jakarta.

Rumiani, 32, said the zoo was a regular destination for her and her family during the extended holiday.

“For us, Ragunan Zoo is the best place to celebrate Idul Fitri as well as to have a family gathering. It is a cheap recreation place,” she said, although she added the venue tended to be packed during the celebration.

She said Taman Safari in Bogor was possibly a better alternative, but it was beyond her family’s price range.

Ragunan Zoo spokesperson Enny Pudjiwati said the venue had more than doubled its normal 22 ticket booths this year, and it had recruited 750 seasonal personnel to help the zoo’s 436 permanent employees deal with the holiday season.

She said the holidays could bring up to 750,000 visitors.

At Kidzania, long queues also developed at the ticket booth. Edi Sutedi, a shopkeeper from Pulo Gadung, was there with his two daughters.

“Taking my children to Kidzania is a very unusual activity for us to do during Eid, because we usually just go to Ragunan Zoo or Ancol beach,” Edi said.

He complained that the entrance fee was too expensive for his budget.

“But as I promised my girls to bring them here on Eid as they demanded, I am glad to be able to bring them here,” he said.

“This trip is a special gift for them.” Edi added.