The San Jose Province is located centrally in Costa Rica. Named after the city, San Jose hosts Costa Rica's capital city, similarly named. In 1884, the city of San Jose became the world's third city illuminated with electric lights. San Jose was also the first Latin American city with electric light as well.

San Jose Province is bordered by the provinces Heredia, Alajuela, Limon, Puntarenas and Guanacaste. The total land area of the San Jose Province is 4,966 km². The population is 1,435,447 (May 2003). Alajuela Province is divided into 20 cantons as follows:

Cantons of San Jose Province:

1. Acosta 
2. Alajuelita
3. Aserrí 
4. Curridabat
5. Desamparados 
6. Dota 
7. Escazú 
8. Goicoechea 
9. León Cortés 
10. Montes de Oca 
11. Mora 
12. Moravia
13. Pérez Zeledón 
14. Puriscal 
15. San José 
16. Santa Ana  
17. Tarrazú 
18. Tibás 
19. Turrubares 
20. Vázquez de Coronado