The best and quickest way to get to Zancudo is by boat. One boat leaves Golfito at 12 p.m. daily for Zancudo from the dock in front of Samoa del Sur. The ride is 30 minutes, $4 (2000 c). There is no return trip until the following day.
You can arrange for private water transportation to and from Golfito, and this usually runs between $50 and $60.
There is a bus from Zancudo to neighboring Compte that stops at 5:30 a.m. near El Coquito. From there it is possible to catch a second bus (around 9:30 – makes four stops daily) to Pavones, although these buses sometimes stop running in low season.
A taxi from Zancudo to Pavones, one hour away, will cost $40-$50. If you're traveling light, you can also hire a motorcycle to take you over for a more agreeable $16.
Boat rides from Zancudo to Pavones are long and expensive – not recommended.