From Nicaraguan tribesmen he learned of the "rich kingdoms" of the - Mayan and possibly Inca civilizations and of the "great sea" (Pacific Ocean) farther west.

However, he was unable to find a water passage to this body of water. After losing two of his four ships, he gave up and sailed to Jamaica, where he was forced to ground the ships. The materials from the wrecked ships were used to build a settlement.