Vasco Núñez de Balboa Vasco Núñez de Balboa was born around 1475 in Spain. He was from a noble family and was well educated. But he never seemed to be good at anything. When he heard about Columbus and the New World, he thought perhaps that was the answer. He would become an explorer! In 1501, Balboa joined a group of explorers headed for the northern coast of South America.

Vasco Núñez de Balboa After exploring around Colombia, the boat continued on to Hispanola (present day Haiti and the Dominican Republic) in 1505. Balboa tried his hand with pigs and farming. He gave up in failure in 1509. He owed a great many people a great deal of money.

Vasco Núñez de Balboa In 1510, Balboa and his dog Leoncico hid inside a barrel of a boat leaving Santo Domingo. Balboa fled his debts and hoped for a better life in San Sebastian, Colombia. Balboa was discovered of course, hiding on board. He was put to work. When the ship arrived in Colombia, they discovered that San Sebastian had been burned to the ground.

Vasco Núñez de Balboa Balboa saw his chance. Balboa suggested the ship continue a little more west to a spot he had seen before. The captain and the crew (including Balboa) founded the first permanent European settlement in South America.

Vasco Núñez de Balboa Balboa continued to be successful, but at a terrible cost. In time, he became the interim governor of Darién. He harshly treated the local inhabitants, and stole their gold and riches. He also continued to explore. He found the isthmus of Panama. He is remembered as one of the first Europeans to see the Pacific Ocean from the New World. Balboa claimed all its shores for Spain. But he was not a nice man.