The Caribbean is a tropical region, meaning it is consistently humid year-round, but the intensity varies by season. The "Dry Season" (December to April) is generally the most comfortable time to visit, as humidity levels drop slightly and the constant trade winds provide a cooling effect. During the "Wet Season" (May to November), humidity often exceeds 80%, making the air feel much heavier and hotter, particularly in the afternoons before a tropical shower. Some islands are exceptions; the "ABC Islands" (Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao) are located outside the hurricane belt and have an arid, desert-like climate with much lower humidity than lush, mountainous islands like St. Lucia or Jamaica. Regardless of the island, the humidity is most noticeable when moving inland away from the coast, as the sea breeze is the primary natural defense against the sticky tropical air.