Bothriechis lateralis is a pit viper species found in the mountains of Costa Rica and western Panama.

The type locality is listed as "Costa Rica vom Vulcan Barbo [Volcán Barba] ... und .. Veragua" [Panama].

Although this species is able to survive is some areas that have been altered for agricultural purposes, such as coffee plantations, it seems they are slowly disappearing from these places.

[6] The prehensile tail is not only used as an anchor when resting, but also when it strikes out to grasp its prey, which consists of small birds, rodents, lizards and frogs.

[7] A polyvalent antivenin that covers this species is produced by the Instituto Clodomiro Picado in Costa Rica.