The bay (Banderas) has been known since the early 1500s by Spanish soldiers, during the expeditions to Baja California (or island of pearls, as they called it), landed on the bay's beaches in order to supply their ships with water, firewood and fresh food. There are many chronicles from that time that mention the beauty of the coastline, the fertility of the land and the safe harbors that the bay offered ships.
Missionary and conquistador accounts chronicle battles between colonizers and the local peoples. In 1524 a battle between Cortes and an army of 10-20,000 Indians resulted in the Spanish taking control of much of the Ameca valley. The valley was then called Banderas, or Flags, after the colorful standards carried by the natives. During the 1500s safe harbors all along the Pacific Coast were a vital necessity so that ships returning from the Philippines would have a place to find refuge in case of attack by pirates. These harbors were also necessary during the long journeys, to and from the Orient so that ships could be repaired if necessary and crews could take on provisions. One of the first to propose a settlement on Banderas Bay was Captain Pedro de Unamuno after the trip he made in 1587 from the Philippines. Famous navigators like Sebastian Vizcaino, Lopez de Vicuna and Gonzalo de Francia more than once landed on these beaches and also proposed the establishment of a colony, but their petitions never received any attention.
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