[4] The specific name uranobates is derived from Greek ouranos and bates, meaning "one who haunts the heavens".

The canthus rostralis and supra-tympanic fold are prominent, the latter obscuring upper edge of tympanum.

The dorsum is reddish-brown and has darker brown markings and cream to orange dorsolateral folds, but the actual pattern is polymorphic.

[2] Pristimantis uranobates occurs in cloud forests and paramos at elevations of 1,750–3,600 m (5,740–11,810 ft) above sea level.

[1] During the day, they can be found under rocks and logs,[1][2] whereas at night they climb to vegetation, mostly no higher than half a metre above the ground.