Dry tropical forests are the most threatened tropical biome. Restoring them on islands is essential for supporting ecosystem functions of interconnected terrestrial and marine ecosystems. Identifying the best strategies to stimulate dry forest recovery is urgently needed. We analysed passive and active restoration approaches conducted at different spatial and temporal scales within the same study system on the Caribbean island of Bonaire: (1) natural regeneration in experimental plots (n = 14 paired fenced-unfenced plots, 9 & times; 9 m each, 15 years), (2) natural regeneration after removal of feral herbivores at landscape scales (n = 24 plots, 10 & times; 10 m each, 4 years), (3) enrichment planting of seedlings under fenced remnant forest patches (7655 seedlings, 43 tree species, 8 reforestation sites; 100 & times; 100 m ha each). We monitored tree establishment, taxonomical and functional diversity, soil hydrology and fertility. We subsequently reflected on the participatory experiences that facilitated dry forest restoration. Tree seedling establishment increased when herbivores were excluded or their densities drastically reduced, especially during favourable climatic windows associated with rainy years. However, significant increases in the abundance of saplings and trees required up to 15 years of herbivore exclusion. Only one third of the dry forest tree species recruits naturally with slow shifts from conservative to acquisitive functional trait strategies as forest succession progresses without herbivores. Herbivore exclusion results in higher litter accumulation and lower amounts of organic matter in runoff, but no significant differences in soil nutrients, water runoff or infiltration capacity after 9 years. Planted seedlings in fenced remnant forest patches show high survival rates across species and sites. Synthesis and applications. Slow recovery of degraded Caribbean dry tropical forests can be accelerated by combining herbivore removal at landscape scales with enrichment planting of rare tree species under the cover of remnant forest patches. Long-legacy effects on soils and forest taxonomical and functional diversity require long-term management and community engagement.