Balboa was born in Jerez de los Caballeros, Spain, in 1475. He came from a noble family and received a good education. In 1500, he joined an expedition to the New World led by Alonso de Ojeda. The expedition explored the coast of South America and founded the colony of Santa María la Antigua del Darién.
In 1513, Balboa led an expedition across the Isthmus of Panama. He and his men hiked through the dense jungle and over the mountains. They were the first Europeans to see the Pacific Ocean from the New World. Balboa claimed the Pacific Ocean and all the lands it touched for Spain. He named the ocean the "South Sea".
Balboa's discovery of the Pacific Ocean was a major event in the history of exploration. It opened up a new route to Asia and the Spice Islands. It also led to the Spanish conquest of the Inca Empire.
Balboa was appointed governor of Panama in 1514. He was a harsh and unpopular governor. He was executed in 1519 by order of the Spanish governor of Hispaniola, Pedro Arias Dávila.
Balboa is remembered as one of the most important explorers of the New World. His discovery of the Pacific Ocean was a major turning point in history.