It is endemic to the north-western Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Colombia.

Lynch and Ruíz-Carranza suggest that this species might have been a model for the gold frogs unearthed from archaeological sites in the area.

[2] Tachiramantis tayrona inhabits cloud forests and páramos at elevations of 1,300–2,700 m (4,300–8,900 ft) above sea level.

[2] It is threatened by habitat loss caused by cultivation and fumigation of crops and rearing of livestock.

Part of the range is protected in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta National Park.