The Santa Marta Wren is restricted to the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. Adults of both sexes look similar, with a rufous-brown crown and upperparts and a pale eyebrow. It occurs in high-elevation scrub and peat bogs; authors suggested possible nesting after one food-carrying observation.
Adults of both sexes are similar, with a rufous-brown crown and upperparts, a pale eyebrow, and dark bars on the lower back and wings. Juveniles have dark feather tips on the back and underparts.
The Colombian red book reports the bird in subpáramo scrub, peat bogs, and patches of forest. A March field note describes one bird carrying food into Chusquea; the authors suggested nesting there but did not report a confirmed nest.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.