Trinidad area questions and percussion classes

Hello fellow travelers:
I leave next Fri for Cuba, traveling solo and heading to the usual destinations, Havana 2 nights, Vinales 3, then heading towards the Trinidad, Cienfuegos area, and beaches. I had planned on getting a place in La Boca for a 3-4 days and visiting Trinidad, Santa Clara, and Cienfuegos from there, then back to Havana for 2-4 days, 14 days in all.
During my trip I'd like to get in the ocean and snorkel most days, so that is part of my reasoning for La Boca. I'd noticed in Trinidad there was a music school where you could take clave lessons and that big gourd shaker with beads on it. I figured that Trinidad would be mellower than Havana. However, I have noticed posts here and elsewhere that many feel 1 day in Trinidad is sufficient, so I am reconsidering my plan. I'd appreciate some feedback. Is Cienfuegos worth spending a couple of days in or is it a day trip; would it be easy to do day trips from La Boca and use a bike for going to and from Trinidad. (I like nature, art, music, bike riding, good vegetarian food, dance, and snorkeling.)
Thanks for your friendliness

I figured that Trinidad would be mellower than Havana....

You got that straight! A small but busy city versus a metropolis.

Cienfuegos is about 3 times bigger than Trinidad.and on the water and near beaches as well. It is not as touristy either but still well on the tourist trail. Choose more of Cienfuegos for a city/town experience and Trinidad (La Boca) for more of a mellow nature setting when outside of the small city. I would do a bit of both since they are only 50 miles from each other.

And Santa Clara is only 42 miles north/east of Cienfuegos. All 3 are quite reachable from each other.

Trinidad

Cienfuegos

Santa Clara

"Choose more of Cienfuegos for a city/town experience and Trinidad (La Boca) for more of a mellow nature setting
Thanks CW for phrasing it that way, so I'll start with La Boca and take it from there. On forums I've noticed many say they like Cienfuegos better than Trinidad.

I would prefer Cienfuegos but Trinidad is definitely something to see even with the hordes of tourists. Heck, even just over 10 years ago, I found it too small and touristy. You should do nice though settling down in La Boca for what you want to do.

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