Piedra Blanca is just three hours away, where one can take rainforest tours, rafting expeditions and visit local fascinating cultural sites.
Other places that you can visit are the beaches at Playas which is about 90 minutes away, and the more popular Salinas beach which is about two hours away up the Via la Costa.
Quito is about a seven hour drive less than an hour flight also for about $125 round trip -September 2009-
Cuenca is about a four hour drive half-hour flight for about $120 round trip -September 2009- through beautiful and interesting scenery, including a mangrove preserve, cocoa and banana plantations, cloud forests and mountains.
Not to far out, perhaps 30-50 minutes, there is a beautiful cocoa plantation where they also make chocolate. The owners entertain tour groups by serving cocoa juice and plantain snacks before you are taken on a tour of the cocoa plantation right up to the final chocolate tasting. You are then entertained with a delicious local lunch. Absolutely fabulous! It is past the orchids farm on the same road. The cost is $110 per person when booked via tour operator Canodos. The tour operator is essential if you don't speak Spanish.
international buses
There are several bus companies that cross the border for to Peru are available from Guayaquil. Most services stops close to the main cities along the Panamericana motorway; such as Machala, Tumbes, Máncora, Piura and all the way to Lima.
CIFA
(http://cifainternacional.com/): They have a stand inside the main terminal, within the international section. Usually this is the company that provide the cheapest services and a popular choice among backpackers. They have several departure times a day and different services. Procure the direct services that goes to your desired destination, since some services do stop a lot along the way. Their buses might have somewhat low cleaning standards.Ormeño
(http://www.grupo-ormeno.c...): Buses leave daily around 11:00 a.m. close to the main bus terminal, where their office is located. Just go to the terminal, ask for the office of Ormeño and walk 5 minutes outside the terminal. Ormeño has been in business for several years. Unfortunately, the buses where never renewed and are known for bad services, so air conditioning might not work. In case one should have problems at the Peruvian boarder, the bus drivers might not wait until the formalities are done.Ecuatoriano Pullman
(http://ecuatorianopullman.com/): Departs everyday at 11 PM from the main station, where their stand is also located at the international section.Nevertheless, other companies like Ruta De America and Caracol can be valuable alternatives. Routa de America goes from Guayaquil to Lima every Sunday. Call their office in Quito for more information.