Want to enjoy villas in Mexico without having to combat throngs of beach goers and tourists? Just southeast of Acapulco is the Costa Chica region, where locals are the tour guides and time stands still. This stunning coastline will take your breath away with its endless mangroves brimming with songbirds, vibrantly green iguanas and mountain views as far as the eye can see.

"In the city, there is no time for anything," Hugo Ascencion Lopez, a local artisan shop owner, told The New York Times. "I wanted a different take on life, and this is something simpler."

Friendly faces in the forgotten coast

The little-known Costa Chica - Spanish for "small coast" - has not been the victim of a booming tourism market, nor have large resorts made their mark on the beachside land. Stretching for nearly 300 miles in the Mexican state of Oaxaca, this region is filled with friendly locals who find great pleasure in sharing their local culinary, artisanal and musical culture with any visitor who passes through.

Fishing villages dot the coastline and visitors from luxury vacation rentals shouldn't hesitate to ask locals questions about the area.

Paradise, no strings attached

You won't have to pay a fee to sit on the beach chairs lining the glittering shores of Chacahua, which is located right on the edge of a dazzling natural lagoon, nor will you have to wait in line to watch a sunset from the top of the village's lighthouse. Making no attempts to turn the region into an expensive vacation spot, residents never require more than a few dollars for boat tours. The result is a simple holiday during which travelers can indulge in the spoils of paradise without having to break their wallets.

Time for mescal

Want to live like a true Mexican? Don't miss the chance to try a sip (or four) of mescal, a local alcohol made from maguey, a variety of agave. Unlike tequila, this drink is primarily made with plants grown in the Costa Chica and Oaxaca region. Mescal is rarely enjoyed in cocktails like margaritas, and is often paired with chili peppers, salt and limes. First timers should exercise caution when trying it out for the first time, as this libation packs a punch.