ICYMI: Two New Yorkers Fly 4,000 Miles Off Course—Thought They Were Headed to Paradise!
One travel mix-up turned two best friends’ tropical getaway into an accidental detour with a wild twist. 🌐 #News #NewYorkNY #NewYork #Travel
NEW YORK, NY — A dream vacation meant for the lush landscapes of Costa Rica took a bizarre detour when two friends from New York ended up across the country in San Jose, California—thanks to a travel slip-up they didn’t catch until it was too late.
What started as a best-friends getaway quickly turned into a lesson in double-checking flight details. Lynne Mazouz and Kira Smith thought they were bound for Central America, even reserving an Airbnb in Costa Rica. But both unknowingly booked flights to San Jose, California—more than 4,000 miles from their intended destination.
An Unexpected Landing
Their journey began at LaGuardia Airport in New York, with a connecting flight in North Carolina. As their final flight descended, Mazouz began to notice something was off when a nearby passenger referenced the city’s reputation in tech. It wasn’t until she messaged her friend in alarm that the truth set in—they had landed in the wrong San Jose.
Smith, still mid-flight, confirmed the blunder by checking her flight tracker. Instead of an international route, both had traveled entirely within the U.S., despite planning their lodging and itinerary for Costa Rica.
A Costly and Comedic Misstep
The revelation hit harder when they checked their confirmations. Every part of their trip—except the actual flights—had been properly set for Costa Rica. But with the airfare mistake and no immediate options to recover the funds spent on accommodations abroad, they were left scrambling for a backup plan.
Though Hawaii briefly came up as an alternative, the price tag of adding more hotels and hostels to the already sunk costs made that option unrealistic.
Turning a Disaster Into a Detour
Initially overwhelmed by the misfortune, Mazouz admitted she nearly gave up on the entire trip. But she and Smith weren’t ready to surrender their vacation just yet.
The pair chose to embrace the unexpected location by booking a local motel and heading into nearby San Francisco for a spontaneous bar crawl. After regrouping and resetting, they eventually secured new flights—this time, triple-checking the airport codes—to finally reach Costa Rica.
What started as a major misstep turned into an unforgettable adventure. Mazouz even chose to extend her trip, reflecting that the journey, despite its challenges, had become her most cherished vacation yet.
Did You Know?
- San Jose, California, is home to more than 6,600 tech companies and is often referred to as the “capital of Silicon Valley” (U.S. Census Bureau).
- The San Jose in Costa Rica is located in the Central Valley and sits at about 3,800 feet above sea level, surrounded by lush mountains (Lonely Planet).
- Travelers frequently confuse cities with the same name—there are over 1,000 U.S. towns and cities that share names with places in other countries (National Geographic).
Moment for Reflection
Life has a way of taking us on unexpected routes. What feels like a setback may actually be the start of something sweeter than we imagined. In moments of misdirection, grace shows up in the form of laughter, resilience, and the kind of friendship that finds joy even 4,000 miles off track. Sometimes, it’s the wrong turns that lead us to the best memories.
Editor’s note: Photos used for illustrative purposes only and do not depict the actual subject.
RELATED TOPICS: Family | Humor | Lifestyle | Travel
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