This species inhabits humid lower montane, montane, and sub-alpine zones, occurring in forest as well as disturbed areas such as road sides and garbage dumps. Repeated sampling efforts support observations that the species appears to be more frequently found at road edges (F. Bolaños pers. comm. 2007). At higher elevations it is mainly terrestrial, while at lower elevations it semi-arboreal and can often be found hiding in bromeliads during the day (Savage 2002). It is a nocturnal, generalist species (Mead and Boback 2002). It breeds by direct development and is not dependent upon water (Vial 1968, Savage 2002).

This species is restricted to the Cordillera de Talamanca in Costa Rica, which occurs as far to the southeast as Cerro Chirripó Grande (Boza-Oviedo et al. 2012, Costa Rica Red List Assessment Workshop September 2019). It has been recorded from an elevational range of 1,870–3,620 m asl (Savage 2002, García-París et al. 2000).

The southernmost subpopulation in Talamanca probably represents a different species (E. Arias pers. comm. September 2019). Its estimated extent of occurrence (EOO) is 769 km².

Conservation Actions In-Place
The range of this species includes several national parks along the Cordillera de Talamanca, such as Parque Nacional Chiripó, Parque Nacional Tapantí and Reserva Biológica Cerro las Vueltas. 

Conservation Needed
Proactive, precautionary steps should be taken to detect the arrival of Bsal in Costa Rica and to establish a baseline by including the swabbing of salamanders encountered during routine amphibian monitoring activities in the country (Costa Rica Red List Assessment Workshop 2019).

Research Needed
More information is needed on this species' distribution, population status, ecology, and threats. Additionally, further research is required to fully resolve the taxonomic status of the species.