It is endemic to Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta in northern Colombia.

[1][2][3] The specific name honours George Albert Boulenger, an eminent herpetologist.

The eggs have direct development, hatching as froglets[1] (i.e., there is no free-living larval stage[7]).

Cryptobatrachus boulengeri are found on rocks within fast-flowing streams in primary and secondary montane forests at elevations of 250–1,790 m (820–5,870 ft) above sea level.

[1][3] This species is abundant throughout its range, but it is threatened by habitat loss caused by agriculture (particularly coffee plantations), logging, and infrastructure development.