When did the Europeans first encounter the Maya?

The Europeans first encountered the Maya in the early 16th century, with significant interactions beginning in 1517 when Spanish explorers led by Francisco Hernández de Córdoba arrived on the Yucatán Peninsula. This encounter marked the beginning of a series of explorations and conquests by the Spanish in the region, notably including Hernán Cortés's expeditions. The Maya civilization, however, had been established long before this, flourishing for centuries prior to European contact.