The Language of 'Chazas': How Fruit Vendors in Downtown Create a Secret Code to Avoid Being Understood

What is a “chaza” and where to find them

If you have strolled through the downtown of Medellín, you have surely come across carts full of mango, papaya, or lulo, attended by people shouting offers in a peculiar language. Those carts, stalls, or improvised fruit stands are the famous “chazas”, a term we locals use to refer to the fruit and vegetable stands that operate on the streets and in market squares.

The quintessential place to find them is the Plaza Minorista José María Villa, located in the Los Colores neighborhood. This market opens every day from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and it tends to be busiest on Saturday mornings. You will also find chazas in the Guayaquil sector, near the Metro station, and on the streets close to Parque de Berrío. However, due to urban renewal works in La Candelaria, many vendors have temporarily relocated to San Antonio and Bolívar parks.

Here, you not only buy fresh fruit at a good price. You also experience an interesting linguistic phenomenon: the vendors have created a secret code, a jargon they use among themselves to negotiate and filter out customers who are not from the neighborhood. If you manage to understand it, it will open the doors to the vendor's trust.

Real examples of chaza slang

The jargon of the chazas does not appear in any dictionary. It is passed down by word of mouth among generations of vendors who have worked in downtown since the 1980s. These are some terms still used in September 2026:

• “Matrimonio”: a mix of two or more fruits in a single juice or bag. If you ask for “a matrimonio of passion fruit with soursop,” the vendor knows you are from the neighborhood.
• “Punto”: an easy customer who buys without haggling. Vendors alert each other: “that gringo is a punto,” but not to scam them, rather to serve them quickly.
• “Pela”: ripe fruit that needs to be sold soon. If you hear “esa pela no da espera,” it means the product needs to be sold off quickly.
• “Merma”: loss of weight or volume of the fruit. When a vendor says “me tocó asumir la merma,” they mean they lost money due to damaged fruit.
• “Chicharrón”: a customer who haggles too much or causes trouble. “Ese es un chicharrón” means it is not worth wasting time with them.

These words are combined with phrases that sound harmless but convey key information. For example, if one shouts to another “¿cómo va el punto con la pela?”, they are asking if they have already sold the ripe fruit to the easy customer they were expecting.

The origin of this code

This code was not born overnight. It has practical and social roots dating back to the 1980s and 1990s, when Plaza Minorista consolidated as the main supply center of Medellín. Back then, downtown was a hive of informal commerce, with rapid dynamics for control of public space.

The need to negotiate instantly, with enormous volumes of fruit arriving from Urabá, eastern Antioquia, and the Valle del Cauca, forced vendors to create verbal shortcuts. They had no time for long explanations. Thus, a functional vocabulary was born, tied to the daily hustle.

Additionally, there is a component of communal protection. In an environment where the relocation of informal vendors is a constant —as recently happened with the 160 vendors from Parque de Berrío—, the code serves to alert colleagues about inspectors or customers who may pose a risk. If you hear a vendor say “ahí viene el de la gorra,” they are not talking about a customer with a hat: they are warning that a control official is approaching.

How to use it without offending

If you want to sound like a local and earn the vendor's trust, you do not need to master the entire code. Simply using one or two phrases with respect is enough. The most effective phrase is to ask: “¿Qué me ofrece en matrimonio hoy?”. By using “matrimonio,” the vendor knows you are not a newly arrived tourist, but someone familiar with the code. The response is usually a smile and an honest recommendation of the freshest fruit of the day.

Other phrases that work well:

• “¿Cómo está la pela hoy?”: to ask which fruit is ripe.
• “¿Me hace el favor de separarme el punto?”: to ask them to set aside the best fruit for you.
• “¿A cómo me deja el lote?”: to negotiate the price of a wholesale purchase, even if it is just a dozen mangoes.

Use these phrases naturally. Vendors are experts at reading intentions, and if they sense respect, they will respond with the same trust.

Common mistakes that give away the tourist

Just as there are phrases that make you seem local, there are mistakes that instantly give you away. Avoid them if you do not want prices to be raised for you:

• Asking “¿cuánto cuesta?” instead of “¿a cómo es?”: in Medellín, you ask “¿a cómo es el kilo?”. The former sounds like a new buyer; the latter, like a regular.
• Haggling with contempt: saying “that's expensive, in my country it's cheaper” is the fastest way to lose attention. Haggling downtown is a game of mutual respect.
• Using high-denomination bills to pay for a small purchase: chaza vendors do not always have change. If you pay for a $2,000 mango with a $50,000 bill, the vendor will assume you do not know how the market works.
• Calling everything a “carretilla”: the carretilla is a specific type of stall. If you see a fixed structure with a roof, it is a “caseta” or a “punto”. Using the correct term shows you have been there before.
• Asking for fruit “to go” without specifying the ripeness: locals ask for fruit “para hoy” (for today) or “para la semana” (for the week), indicating whether they want ripe or greener fruit.

A curious fact: vendors can identify a customer's origin by how they order juice. If you ask for “un jugo de guanábana con agua,” you are local. If you ask for “un jugo de guanábana con leche,” you are probably from the coast. If you ask for “a soursop smoothie,” you are foreign, and that is not bad, but it does give you away.

Updated costs

If you decide to venture out to try these phrases at Plaza Minorista or at the chazas downtown, keep in mind that the reference prices are as follows:

• Tommy Mango: between $2,000 and $3,500 COP per unit, depending on size.
• Papaya: between $4,000 and $7,000 COP per medium unit.
• Lulo: between $3,000 and $5,000 COP per pound.
• Soursop: between $6,000 and $10,000 COP per pound, depending on the season.
• Fresh juice on-site: between $5,000 and $8,000 COP, depending on the fruit and whether it is with water or milk.

These prices are indicative and may vary depending on the harvest season and the specific area of downtown. It is recommended to verify prices directly with the vendor before buying large quantities.

How to get there and practical tips

If you plan to visit Plaza Minorista, you can easily get there by public transportation. The nearest metro station is Santa Isabel, from where you can walk about 15 minutes. There are also several bus routes that take you directly to the market. Remember that on Saturdays and Sundays the market is more crowded, so if you prefer less congestion, visit during the week.

It is advisable to carry cash and some low-denomination bills, as some vendors do not have change. It is always better to ask prices before making a large purchase. And if you do not speak Spanish, do not hesitate to use some of the key phrases we have already mentioned; many vendors will try to help you.

Frequently asked questions

• How do I identify a reliable chaza? Look for vendors who show interest in serving you well, who have good presentation and fresh fruits.
• Are there tours or local guides? Yes, there are tours that explain the local jargon; you can also hire a vendor for a more personalized experience.
• What do I do if I do not speak Spanish? Use the phrases we have shared, and do not hesitate to point at the fruits you are interested in. Most vendors are friendly and will help you.

Available options

Plaza Minorista

A key spot where you can find a wide variety of fresh and exotic fruits. Here, vendors use their 'chaza' to offer competitive prices and attract buyers. Insider Tip: Visit the market early in the morning to get the best deals and avoid the midday rush.

Mercado de San Alejo

This market is not only ideal for buying fruits, but also for enjoying a vibrant atmosphere full of crafts and local culture. Fruit vendors often mix their 'chaza' with anecdotes and jokes, which adds a special flavor to the experience. Insider Tip: Come on Sundays to enjoy live music and artistic activities while you explore.

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Estimated times

Fruit vendors in downtown Medellín have a particular rhythm that can surprise even the most experienced passersby. So you do not get lost in the whirlwind of supply and demand, here are some estimated times that will help you better understand this dynamic ecosystem.

Visits to the carts

If you plan to visit the carts, the best time to approach is between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. This is the sales peak, when vendors are most active and the fruits are fresh.

Purchase and tasting

Dedicate at least 15-20 minutes to explore and taste different fruits. Do not hesitate to ask the vendor for samples; many are willing to share their knowledge about the fruits.

Conversations with vendors

Take about 10-15 minutes to interact with the vendors. This will not only allow you to better understand their code, but will also enrich your experience by learning the local stories behind each fruit.

Keep in mind that hours may vary depending on the weather; a sunny day can attract more vendors and customers, while rain may cause some to leave early. So, go out and explore and enjoy the fruit richness that Medellín has to offer!

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Practical tips

If you decide to explore the world of 'chazas' and their vendors in downtown Medellín, here are some practical tips to make the most of your experience:

Visit Plaza Minorista

Insider Tip: This is one of the most emblematic places to find an incredible variety of fruits. Go early in the morning, when vendors are more willing to offer you good prices and advice on the best seasonal products.

Try lulo and soursop

Insider Tip: Do not leave without trying a lulo or soursop juice. Ask the vendors how they prepare them; some add a special touch that enhances their flavor. If you can, enjoy a portion of fresh fruit while you