[1][2] The species and its defining holotype were first collected on the Atlantic slope of Costa Rica below the highest reach of a mountain pass between Barva and Irazú at approximately 4000 feet (2860m), on a mountain slope in El Guarco, Cartago Province.

[3] It occurs throughout the northern section of the Cordillera Central of Costa Rica at mid-altitudes, and throughout the eastern Caribbean seaboard of this country, on the slopes of the Cordillera de Talamanca down to almost sea level, from near the Nicaraguan border southward to north-westernmost Panama in La Amistad International Park.

[4] The habitats favoured by Pristimantis altae are tropical, humid, lowland and premontane forests and rainforests.

[2][3][1] According to Savage (2002), himself citing earlier studies, this species hides during the day in bromeliads as well as amongst leaf litter on the forest floor, and is found moving actively on low vegetation during the night.

[3][1] Although it is not confirmed in this species, it is thought to be a frog which lays its eggs directly on moist substrate on land, possibly on vegetation.

[1] The only thing known about its diet is from Toft in 1981, who reported on dissecting a single individual to examine the stomach contents.

[1] According to the IUCN in 2004 it was threatened by habitat loss,[1] but in 2008 it stated that while the frog does not appear to adapt well to modified habitats, it is not believed to be threatened, as it continues to be present where it has historically been reported, is relatively abundant within its known range, and the majority of its known distribution is protected within well-managed reserves.