Bolivia versus Ecuador - costs

Bolivia is cheaper than Ecuador, maybe by 20-25%, mostly because they use the $US in Ecuador. Ecuador is still really cheap tough.

Anytime you peg the local currency to the USD it will be more expensive, at least in my experience. Ecuador I believe comes in the middle price range for South America though leaving out the islands will certainly drop costs. Also the size of Ecuador helps in transport costs making it easier to get around, but I believe most if not all will tell you the cost of most everything is just cheaper in Bolivia.

Food costs about the same; you may get sick of the regular set meals (although with more time to explore, you might find something you like) but I found that really half-assed attempts at Italian food in Bolivia cost more than quite yummy Colombian food in Ecuador. Although saltenas, which are very good...I found some in Tupiza for only 25 cents each...don't think I had anything in Ecuador THAT cheap! Hotels I think are mostly on par as well...there might be a higher number of cheap options in Bolivia but a private room with bath would be $5-$6 in either country.

I think it's mainly the transportation and attractions that cost less in Bolivia. For long-term travel, giving yourself more time to see Bolivia by public transport, Bolivia is waaaay cheaper. I had only 16 days in Bolivia...to fit in everything we needed to take 2 flights (round-trip to Rurre, one-way to Tarija on the way to Tupiza) and really wanted to see Torotoro but the only way to do it on our schedule was a $150 3-day tour. I ended up spending FAR more than I did in Ecuador, which I had a month to explore and didn't visit the Galapagos. But a guide in Torotoro is just a few dollars, buses and trains are incredibly cheap, renting a horse for 3 hours is just a couple bucks too...so with your schedule, you can do pretty well in Bolivia.

bolivia for many reasons, not only the cost. But check out air fares - la paz tends to be pretty expensive

Thanks for all replies so far - and yes, #4 - airfare is definitely a factor that breaks in Ecuador's favor....even with frequent flyer miles, flights to La Paz require almost twice as many miles as to Quito from the States.

Why would flights require more miles to La Paz? Is it because they don't have any seats left in the fare that you are booking?

No - its because in my mileage program, Latin America is divided into two zones, North - which covers Central America and northern South America, including Ecuador - and South, which includes Bolivia. The Southern zone costs more miles. On off-peak dates, the difference between the two is only 10,000 miles; during peak season, the difference is 25,000 miles.

also, la paz is one of the most expensive capitals to fly on. Because of the altitude, that's what I always heard, not any plane can land and it's not easy either.

I went during off-peak (September) and it was only 40,000 miles--a bargain! I believe flights from NYC at the time were around $900.