Adult size is small, reaching only 25 mm SVL in females and 21 mm SVL in males. The dorsum, throat and belly are smooth; the belly disc is poorly developed. The digital discs are small. There is no webbing between the toes. The vomerine teeth, behind the choanae, are in long and almost straight series (Schwartz 1960; Schwartz and Henderson 1985; Schwartz and Henderson 1991).

The anterior surface is yellowish tan, grading rapidly behind the sacral region to orange, reddish brown or rich mahogany on the posterior third of the dorsum and the upper surface of the hind limbs. The anterior two-thirds of the dorsum and the upper surface of the forelimbs are overlaid with black markings that almost entirely mask the ground color. These markings extend over the lores and snout and ventrally to a line on each side connecting fore and hind limbs. Two very faintly and irregularly delimited dorsolateral lines are apparent. The dark dorsal markings degenerate into isolated black and gray marks on the posterior third of the dorsum, as well as the thighs and crura. The concealed surfaces of the hind limbs are dark brown. The venter is covered with a regular arrangement of brown chromatophores, giving it a dark appearance (Schwartz 1960; Schwartz and Henderson 1985; Schwartz and Henderson 1991).
 
This species is a member of the Eleutherodactylus ricordii group (subgenus Euhyas) (Hedges et al. 2008).