The Santa Marta Mountain-tanager is restricted to the Santa Marta Mountains of northern Colombia. See the distribution map at Natureserve.

It is found at the borders of wet, mossy forest and in secondary growth woodland where it feeds on small fruits and insects. It occupies a wider range of habitats than its Andean equivalent, the Lacrimose Mountain Tanager A. lacrymosus.

The crown and nape are blue, the sides of the head are black and there is a small yellow "tear drop" below the eye. The underparts are golden yellow.

The call is very highly pitched.