This species has a somewhat robust glabrescent habit, medium-sized to robust elliptic to ovate leaves, subsssile shortly fasciculate or cymose inflorescences borne with the leaves, rotate pale green and purple corollas 7.5-9 mm long, and apparently rather small ellispoid fruits. The corollas are tinged or streaked with dull purple or red. The leaves are tapered in the basal portion, then acute to shortly rounded where they meet the petiole. The mature fruits have not been seen. These plants were included within the broad circumscription of Hoffmannia nicotianifolia used by Burger (Flora Costaricensis; in herb.).

Hoffmannia tilaranensis is similar to Hoffmannia wilsonii and Hoffmannia josefina.