Spanish Exploration of the Yucatán Coast

Timeline

1. 1517Santiago de Cuba · CubaCórdoba, along with Cuban colonists Cristóbal Morante and Lope Ochoa, raised funds and, with Velázquez's approval, set out with three ships and about 110–117 men. Chief pilot Antón de Alaminos had sailed with Columbus; the fleet ran along Cuba's south coast and then crossed the Yucatán Channel.
2. c. 1517Cabo Catoche · Quintana RooThe Spaniards landed near Cabo Catoche, seeing Maya stone temples and pyramids for the first time, marveling and calling them 'Gran Cairo.' They captured natives including Juanillo and Melchorejo, the latter becoming an interpreter for later expeditions. This was one of the earliest documented direct contacts between Europeans and Maya civilization.
3. c. 1517Campeche Coast · CampecheThe fleet continued north along Yucatán's west coast and was ambushed near Campeche by forces led by a local chief. The Spaniards suffered heavy casualties and were forced to abandon a ship and withdraw. This battle made the colonizers realize the Yucatán natives were not 'uncivilized' tribes easily enslaved.
4. c. 1517Champotón · CampecheAt Champotón (Chakamputum, a Maya city-state), the Spanish landing force was devastated, with about half killed and most of the rest wounded. The wounded Córdoba withdrew to Cuba and died of his injuries near Santiago de Cuba or San Spiritus. Though the expedition failed, it confirmed Yucatán as the edge of a rich mainland for Spain and spurred subsequent conquests.