This species inhabits humid premontane and lower montane forest. It has been found living in leaf-litter, under decaying logs, and in moss banks. It has also been found in pastures, gardens and even cities and can withstand significant habitat modification. It breeds by direct development and is not dependent upon water.

This species occurs from Volcán Tenorio, south through the cordilleras and Meseta Central in Costa Rica, extending to the Panama border. It is thought to also occur across the border in Panama, however its presence there has not been confirmed. It occupies an elevational range of 400–2,150 m asl (Savage 2002; B. Kubicki pers. comm. September 2019). Its estimated extent of occurrence (EOO) is 14,641 km².

Conservation Actions In-Place
This species occurs in the Zona Protectora Arenal-Monteverde, Parque Nacional Braulio Carrillo, and Reserva Forestal Cordillera Volcánica Central.

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. Further research is needed to determine the causes of the decline in undisturbed habitats, such as at Monteverde.