This study assessed the effects of forest succession and microenvironmental variables on the abundance of ctenid spiders in a montane tropical forest in Costa Rica. We surveyed 20 plots (5 × 5 m) in both primary and secondary forest for a total of 40 samples measuring the following variables: leaf litter depth, canopy density, slope, number of trees above 3 m and average stem diameter of trees exceeding 3 m in height. A total of 150 adult and subadult specimens belonging to five species were observed. The most abundant species were Spinoctenus escalereteHazzi et al., 2018 which has not previously been recorded in Central America and Kiekie griswoldiPolotow & Brescovit, 2018. The larger species, K. griswoldi was significantly more abundant in primary than in secondary forest. Conversely, S. escalerete was more abundant in the secondary forest. A generalized linear model indicated that the most important variable influencing ctenids abundance was leaf litter depth. Whereas the abundance of K. griswoldi was positively related with leaf litter depth, the abundance of S. escalerete was negatively related to litter depth. Thus, forest succession and leaf litter are important factors that influence the abundance of floor ctenid community and may allow the coexistence of co-occurring species.