This species inhabits humid lowland and montane forest. Adults are usually found in the proximity of streams. During the day, individuals hide in vegetation, especially in leaf axils of epiphytes and terrestrial aroids. At night, moderately dense congregations have been found along small, fast-flowing streams. Males call from dense vegetation several metres away from the streams, from 0.5-3.0 m above ground. Larvae develop in quiet pools, but sometimes adhere to large rocks in the stream bottom when the streams rise following heavy rains (Savage 2002). It is tolerant to a moderate degree of habitat disturbance, as individuals have been found in a stream within a cattle pasture (A. Batista pers. comm. August 2019), in polluted waterbodies, along roadsides, and in ditches (B. Kubicki pers. comm. September 2019).

This species is known from the cordilleras of Costa Rica and western Panama, from 300–1,750 m asl (Cope 1875, Savage 2002, Hertz et al. 2012, Hertz 2015). Its estimated extent of occurrence (EOO) is 15,467 km², which represents ten or fewer threat-defined locations.

Conservation Actions In-Place
This species has been recorded from at least three protected areas in Panama including Palo Seco Protection Forest and Fortuna Forest Reserve, and more than three protected areas in Costa Rica, including Veragua Rainforest Park and Bosque Eternos de los Ninos-Monteverde.

Conservation Needed
Ongoing protection of its habitat and sites where it is known to occur is required. Improved management and enforcement of the boundaries of Bosque Protector Palo Seco is also needed to prevent illegal activities (Panama Red List Assessment Workshop August 2019).

Research Needed
Further survey work is required to monitor the population status and trends of this species, and to ascertain the extent that chytrid poses a threat.