Brazil is a fascinating place to visit, but this would be the wrong time to visit Rio because of the prices being much higher and the congestion being worse.
Curitiba, Manaus, Porto Alegre, Florianopolis, Bahia (Salvador) would all be better places than Rio at present.
You have to dress like the natives and try to blend in in such places. Brazilians come in all colors, so this is more possible than, say, in Barbados or Hong Kong.