Predominantly a species of Amazonian South America east of the Andes to the Atlantic coast. They occur from Central Venezuela, eastern Colombia and the Guyana Shield countries in the north to central Bolivia and central Brazil in the south. In forested eastern Brazil the range extends far southward.

Habitats are typical rainforests, this highly arboreal taxon occurs also in dryer forests and in many grassland habitats. It is often seen in river- and oxbow-edge trees.

This species is also referred to as the Garden Tree Boa, by experienced hobbyists as ATBs, and, in error, as Cook's Tree Boa (a different species). Although hobbyists now breed many of the more desirable colours (red, orange, yellow and combinations of these colors), the majority of the less coveted colours (brown, tan, olive, gray, charcoal and combinations) are collected from the wild and imported. Brightly coloured examples are usually considerably more expensive than those of duller color. Both captive bred and imported individuals are usually readily available in the pet trade.

Amazon tree boas will bite readily and their long teeth render this an unpleasant experience. They are often best handled with a snake hook.