It is endemic to Panama[1][3] and known from a few isolated records in the Veraguas, Coclé, Colón, and Panamá Provinces.

The tympanum is distinct albeit heavily pigmented, and round in males whereas subelliptical in females.

[2][4] Craugastor tabasarae occurs in premontane forest at elevations of 600–910 m (1,970–2,990 ft) above sea level.

They are typically at night up to 2 m (6 ft 7 in) above the ground on vegetation overhanging or near streams.

The species is threatened by the spread of the chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis as well as by habitat loss.