John lived in Sausalito for many years and now lives in Puerto Vallarta. He has over 40 years of Travel Industry experience that includes a degree in Hotel & Restaurant Management from Michigan State University, Regional Marketing Manager for Westin Hotels, and former Director of the Venezuelan Tourism Association. John was Editor & Publisher of What’s Happening Calendars of California and leader of the famous Marin Moonshiners Hiking Club that was featured on CBS Television, Eye on the Bay. See him in action on YouTube/Marin Moonshiners. Presently John is the Leader of the “Campaign Against Trash” campaign in Jalisco, Mexico.
John Benus graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in Hotel & Restaurant Management.
His passion and mission in life is to create a better world and more fun for everyone. People often refer to him as the “Fun Doctor.”
As the Director of the Venezuelan Tourism Association (VTA), he not only promotes and leads trips to Venezuela, but also is the author of the Travel Planner for Venezuela.
John decided to utilize his 25 years of exploring Venezuela
and lead monthly soft adventures to places such as Angel Falls, world’s highest waterfall, the tropical Andes with the world’s longest and highest tramway up to 15,000 feet, bird watching, and wildlife adventures in Venezuela.
In between his travels to and within Venezuela, John edits and publishes the world’s first and only Color Coded Maps of major cities of California.
John’s love for nature and his concern for improving our environment motivated him to become the founder and director of the Environmental Care Organization (ECO) which organizes campaigns to educate people to respect, maintain and preserve our natural wonders and wildlife.
In Marin county, John has been organizing and leading full moon hikes and events for the Marin Moonshiners.
To keep his head clear, John religiously takes time out to hike on Mount Tam and the Tennessee Valley Trails close to his home and is thinking about running in the Dipsea Race next spring.