[1] The neighborhood is also noted for housing a community of artists and craftsmen who produce inspired by Haitian Vodou, such as flags.

[2][3] In the late 19th century, Bel Air was the preferred place of settlement for British West Indian migrants to Haiti, the largest group of which were Jamaicans.

Bel Air has served as a launching site for political demonstrations demanding the return of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide.

[5]On January 5, 2005, an uprising broke out and was suppressed by hundreds of Brazilian soldiers and special units of the Haitian National Police.

[5] The trouble in the Bel Air area of the city was seen by the authorities as a major threat to the safety of the 2005 elections in Haiti.