I speak enough Portuguese to get by and have been in some pretty risky situations and countries in my day. Still I"m going to try my best to follow your advice, even after having spent this time scoping out guys online and looking forward to meeting some of them. Hopefully I go to the sauna and realize there are just as attractive guys there as some of the guys I've found online and then just have my fun in the sauna or with guys from the sauna.
Likely I'll also have a couple hookups from guys I meet on Grindr or out at night. Normally Brazilians tend like me (because I'm a ginger which is apparently exotic), and the feeling is definitely mutual!
I'm pretty confident now that even my idiot self won't mess things up too much and I'm going to have a great time in Brazil and enjoy some new experiences. The men, the geography and natural beauty, the cities, the food, the surf, the men (did I say that one yet?). I can't wait!