Balboa arrives at the end of 1512 and the first months of 1513 in a region dominated by the cacique Careta, whom he easily defeats and then befriends.

Careta is baptized and becomes one of Balboa's chief allies; he ensures the survival of the settlers by promising to supply the Spaniards with food.

Balboa then proceeds on his journey, arriving in the lands of Careta's neighbor and rival, cacique Ponca, who flees to the mountains with his people, leaving his village open to the plundering of the Spaniards and Careta's men.

Days later, the expedition arrives in the lands of cacique Comagre, fertile but reportedly dangerous terrain.

However, Balboa is received peacefully and even invited to a feast in his honor; Comagre, like Careta, is then baptized.

Balboa writes a lengthy letter to the King of Spainin 1513, requesting more men (who are already acclimatized) from Hispaniola, weapons, supplies, carpenters versed in shipbuilding, and all the necessary materials for the building of a shipyard.