Paraíso is the number 2 canton of the province of Cartago. It is located east of the Guarco Valley. By its area, of 411.91 km², it is the second largest canton of the province, after Turrialba. Its capital city of the same name is located about 8 km southeast of the city of Cartago, so it is part of its metropolitan area. According to the 2011 National Census, the population of the canton was 57,743 inhabitants, of which 2.4% were born abroad. The same census highlights that there were 14,626 occupied homes, of which 70.8% were in good condition and there were problems of overcrowding in 4.0% of the houses.76.9% of its inhabitants lived in urban areas.
Among other data, the literacy level of the canton is 98.0%, with an average schooling of 9.5 years. The same census details that the economically active population is distributed as follows: Primary Sector: 16.0%. Secondary Sector: 23.3%. Tertiary Sector: 60.7%.