Juan de Grijalva was a Spanish explorer born around 1489. He is best known for his expedition to the coast of Mexico in 1518, where he explored the area around the Yucatán Peninsula. Grijalva's journey was significant as it helped to map the region and provided valuable information about the indigenous peoples and their cultures. During his expedition, Grijalva encountered the Aztec Empire and established contact with various native tribes. His explorations laid the groundwork for future Spanish expeditions, including that of Hernán Cortés, who would later conquer the Aztecs. Grijalva's contributions to exploration were important in the early stages of Spanish colonization in the Americas.