The predominant religion is Roman Catholic, but there is a scattering of other Christian faiths. Indigenous Ecuadorians, while outwardly Catholic, tend to blend Catholicism with their traditional beliefs. Spanish is the main language, although most highland Indians are bilingual, with Quechua being their preferred language and Spanish their second tongue. Several small lowland groups speak their own languages. English is understood in the best hotels and in airline offices and travel agencies, but it's of little use elsewhere.
Ecuadorian food consists mainly of soup and stews, corn pancakes, rice, eggs and vegetables.
Seafood is particularly good, even in the highlands. Groups of friends and neighbors dress up and parade through the principal streets, representing outstanding people and events of the past year. The Holy Week celebration begins on Palm Sunday, when many parks and plazas are filled with palm branches and pilgrims. The following holy days are celebrated with masses, prayers, processions, and traditional foods like fanesca. Ni o. Parents dress their children as characters from the traditional Christmas story - angels, shepherds, and wisemen, as well as soldiers and dancers.