It is endemic to northern South America and the island of Trinidad.

The species was published in 1843 in Edwards's Botanical Register 29: misc.

[1] Paphinia cristata is found in Panama, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana and Trinidad at altitudes from sea level up to 1000 m, in damp forest.

Paphinia cristata prefers warm, moist, shaded, humid conditions.

Mount on pieces of coconut, tree fern or cork with a pad of moss around the roots.