Overexploitation of species is one of the primary causes of severe population declines. Conservation initiatives employ various strategies, such as protected land and captive breeding programs, to mitigate the effects of overexploitation. However, detailed knowledge of species’ spatial ecology is a vital component of these successful conservation initiatives. We address the underlying need to elucidate spatial information for the Central American river turtle (Dermatemys mawii) — a wholly aquatic species that is suffering the effects of overharvesting to the point of endangerment— using two separate studies focusing on spatial ecology at broad and fine scales. For the first study, we created a species distribution model to predict the extent of habitat suitability in Central America and quantify relevant factors that help define the ecological niche of D. mawii on a broader, regional scale. We examined overlap of highly suitable habitat and regions of increased hunting pressure represented by human settlements to better understand the optimal habitat with respect to environmental and anthropogenic factors. We expanded the potential range of D. mawii in Belize, Guatemala, and southern Mexico and found that areas of predicted suitable habitat were correlated with low elevation and moderate amounts of rain and precipitation seasonality. Although much of this area is fragmented, nearly one-half of this suitable habitat is outside zones of human settlement and may either represent previously unknown populations or be suitable for future attempts to bolster populations through translocations. For the second study, we used radio telemetry to gain a better insight into the spatial requirements of D. mawii at a finer scale. We investigated juvenile home ranges at two separate sites on a single river in Belize. We calculated home range sizes using 95% and 100% minimum convex polygons and found the mean home range size (95% mcp) to be 3.53 ha. We determined that juveniles largely maintain a small home range, from which they occasionally travel, suggesting that protection areas may be sufficient to protect individuals. Together, these two studies add to our understanding of the distribution and habitat requirements of this rare species. This information can serve to inform policy, conservation programs, and wildlife management practices.